New Year’s among friends

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

The background music was "Auld Lang Syne" but the thoughts of the residents of Pike Manor Health Care Center weren’t of old times, but rather the blessings of the day.

Pike Manor celebrated New Year’s yesterday and, when the "time balloon" dropped, the residents toasted 2001 with champagne and welcomed it with noisemakers and merriment.

Rochelle Hill, activity director at Pike Manor, said the theme of the celebration was "Fondly Remembered Times."

"We wanted to celebrate the New Year and give our residents an opportunity to talk about times they fondly remember," she said. "By the honking of the horns, it was obvious that they all gave a ‘hoot’ about the New Year."

The residents donned party hats, downed the bubbly and enjoyed ringing in the New Year with friends.

"We’re not just friends, we’re family," said Mary Tillman in a low voice.

Mrs. Tillman was responding to the residents who, one-by-one, took the microphone and talked about the "good times." Each one mentioned the friends they have found at Pike Manor, but Mrs. Tillman said the relationships are closer to family than friends.

"I was crowned Ms. Pike Manor and that meant a lot to me," she said. "I love everyone out here and I found out they love me, too."

Carolyn Boswell, who is also a former Ms. Pike Manor, looked back to the time when she was home and could do things for herself.

"I could do anything I wanted to do," she said. "But when I came to Pike Manor in 1996, because of circumstances, things were completely different. I couldn’t do for myself, so I’ve had to learn patience. Everyone here has helped me learn patience."

When Cornelia Caylor came to Pike Manor, she had already learned patience. What she found at the health care center was "friends – dear friends."

"The people here are a pleasure to be with and they have brought me much happiness," she said.

Annie Norris echoed Mrs. Caylor sentiments.

"I am thankful for everyone at the nursing home," she said. "Everyone."

Marie Wilburn said when she came to Pike Manor she was sick.

"I got better and better and I’ve never had so many friends," she said. "I love everybody here."

Katherine Walton said that friendship and love equal blessings.

"I feel blessed to be here," she said.

"And we thank the Lord for letting us be here for another year," Shirley Doris said.

"And we should be happy because the blood is running warm in our veins," said Mae Arthur Jones. "We are blessed to be year for the start of another year."

Perhaps John Rice summed up the feelings of all the residents best.

"We should let the bad memories stay in the past," he said. "We should live every day so that all of our memories are fond ones. That way every year is a happy one."