Edge Regional Medical Center's Senior Circle joined other circles around the country Wednesday in celebrating National Senior Circle Day. The celebration event was held on the hospital grounds.

The ERMC Senior Circle has grown by leaps and bounds each year since it was organized in February 1999. With 1,000 members the Circle holds the distinction as one of the top chapters in Community Health Systems 70 chapters.

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford read a proclamation declaring March 26 Senior Circle Day in Troy.

Lunsford praised the Senior Circle's mission of encouraging healthy lifestyles among seniors and for their strong support for the organization that provides fun and fellowship while promoting its hometown hospital.

&uot;Who would have ever envisioned that in four years the membership of our Senior Circle would have reached 1,000,&uot; Lunsford said and the gathering responded with applause.

Faye Lunsford, Senior Circle advisor, also expressed appreciation to the men and women who support the Circle and are committed to leading healthy lifestyles.

&uot;In 2001, our membership grew by 636 percent and by 360 percent in 2002 and, like Jimmy said, 'Who would have envisioned it?' I appreciate your support, your involvement and I love each and every one of you.&uot;

Hospital CEO Ben Busbee also addressed the gathering and expressed appreciation to the Senior Circle members for all they do to promote Senior Circle and Edge Regional Medical Center.

&uot;I appreciate your promotion of the Senior Circle and your promotion of the hospital,&uot; Busbee said. &uot;A hospital is only as good as the people who work there. Our staff at Edge Regional is the top of the top and we appreciate them and the work that they do.&uot;

Busbee said he, too, was impressed by the overwhelming response by area seniors to the program.

&uot;Our Senior Circle is in the top one or two chapters in Community Health Systems and you are to be commended,&uot; he said. &uot; Continue to spread the cheer.&uot;

Entertainment for the event was provided by Lowell Carter, minister of music at Southside Baptist Church; the Colley Senior Complex Boot Scootin' line dancing group; and Shelia Jackson, public relations director for the city of Troy.

A large number of door prizes were awarded, including tee-shirts, tote bags, seeds and travel mugs. Juanita Curtis won the grand prize, a $50 gift certificate for groceries.