By GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY / Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – More than 100 seniors spent Friday, Dec. 19 dancing, eating and mingling during the annual Christmas dance for Shelby County seniors hosted by the Alabaster Senior Center.

“This has been an annual event that all the seniors look forward to,” Alabaster Senior Adults and Therapeutic Manager Alicia Walters said. “I love having all the seniors from all over the county come together and have a really fun night.”

The seniors began the evening with dinner catered by Full Moon BBQ, while students from the studio of Laurie Jones of First Baptist Pelham performed a variety of Christmas carols including “Jingle Bell Rock” and “When Christmas Comes to Town.”

Then, seniors danced the night away to tunes played by Vintage Gray, a band that plays primarily classic rock hits of the 60s and 70s.

For Chris Morgan, a senior who teaches line dance at Heardmont Park, the band gives her an opportunity to dance with her husband, Grover Morgan.

“That band, they are jewels,” Morgan said. “(My husband and I) love to dance together. He saves the slow ones for me,” Morgan said.

Myra VanHorne, a senior who has not missed the annual event once since it began more than seven years ago, said the dance provides a time to get to know other seniors in the area.

“I love just being here with all of the people, and the music too. It’s a wonderful place to socialize and since I’m 90 years old I deserve it,” she said with a laugh.

Many different entities with the city worked to make the night possible. Alabaster Councilmen Rick Walters and Bob Hix helped with food preparation and serving, and Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon helped hand out door prizes and welcome the seniors. Students with the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization at Thompson High School also helped serve food during the event.

“Every year it’s so wonderful to see (the seniors) all together,” Handlon said. “The fellowship, the interaction, I think it’s just a great event to bring seniors from the try-center area together to celebrate the holidays.”