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Recent coverage of some senior citizens served as a reminder to highlight what a valuable resource older men and women provide to their communities.

Ginger Grimes passed away recently in Greenville at age 91. The Pine Apple resident was the unofficial welcoming committee chairman for her town and welcomed new neighbors and visitors alike with her famous, home-made banana nut bread.

I never had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Grimes, but by reading her description in the obituary, it is easy to tell she understood the dying art of hospitality and knew how to spread joy to those around her.

Bessie Brooks, a Mosses resident, is 90 years old. Each year she grants us the opportunity to feature photos of her garden. She does this, not out of pride but in an effort to inspire younger generations to engage in gardening.

Brooks welcomed me to her home with open arms and invited me on a trip down memory lane, where we talked about out-of-style notions like disciplining children, teaching everyone to read, practicing polite manners and making sure children understand who God is and who they are in Him.

Crenshaw County celebrated the 102nd birthday of Lee Haugh on Aug. 1 with a party at the Luverne Public Library. While covering the celebration, I talked with numerous friends and relatives of Haugh and they all described her fascinating life with wonder.

The Luverne transplant cut her own grass and tended her flowers right up through age 100, they said. She led an active life and had once worked in New York under a fashion designer. Haugh still lives independently and while she has no local relations to provide her with care, she has inspired her community so much that they make sure she is well looked after.

The oldest community members bear witness to the history of our area, and they also help us keep alive some things which should not be forgotten.

I encourage our readers, if you have not done so lately, spend a morning or afternoon talking with a senior citizen. You will walk away encouraged and inspired. I’m quite sure of it.