Wilda and Tommy Kohlenberg were honored Saturday night for being the “longest-married” couple in attendance at the Senior Outreach Organization. The Kohlenbergs have been married 61 years. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – The Link of Cullman County is the place to be on a Saturday night for those over 50 and looking to have some fun. The Senior Outreach Organization (SOO) meets on the first, second and third Saturday of each month at The Link. (The SOO is not affiliated with The Link; it is only renting the building.) The meal begins at 5 p.m. and the entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. The events also include a 50/50 raffle and door prizes.
SOO founder Jamie Brown wanted to give the seniors in the Cullman area a place to not only get a hot meal, but also meet old friends, make new friends, dance and have some fun.
Jack Shields, who volunteers and helps sponsor the dinners, said, “It’s a great place for seniors to go with no smoking or alcohol. It doesn’t matter if you have $2 or a million, if you are over 50, come join us.”
Area businesses donate much of the food served. This past Saturday, the seniors were served barbecue chicken, pinto beans, mashed potatoes, fried okra and cornbread along with drinks, snacks and a marvelous table of homemade desserts. After everyone was full, it was time for dancing.
The Junction Band plays mostly hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s. They play everything from classic country to good ole rock-and-roll. This group loves to dance and if you aren’t the best dancer, don’t worry, they are fantastic instructors.
With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, at Saturday’s event, Brown gave a special valentine’s sweetheart box to the couple married the longest, Tommy and Wilda Kohlenberg, who have been married 61 years.
The secret to a successful marriage, according to Tommy Kohlenberg, is “telling each other you love them every day. Make sure you show each other that you love and appreciate them. We kid each other a lot to and laugh together.”
Wilda Kohlenberg added, “Don’t fuss and never go to bed without saying I love you.”
Becky Browder loves the Saturday night dinner and dance. She was there with several friends and spoke about all the fun she has through the SOO and the Donald E. Green Senior Center.
Said Browder, “We just went on a day trip the other day on the bus. We went to all the thrift stores, shopped and had a ball. We have trips to Wetumpka and we have a trip coming up to the Smoky Mountains. We really have a great time.”
Shields hopes more people and businesses will step up to help sponsor the Saturday senior events, sharing, “The Golden Corral, Busy Bee, Jim ‘N Nick’s, Cracker Barrel, Logan’s and a few others have helped up with food and we really appreciate them. I hope other businesses will get involved to help us pay for other expenses.”
SOO is a nonprofit organization. Find out more at www.cullmantribune.com/articles/2019/01/08/community-carol-jamie-brown-senior-outreach-organization.
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