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PrimeTime packs the house at Christmas party
By Stephanie Norman
The Paris News
Published December 24, 2009
PrimeTime was packed like a stocking Tuesday afternoon for an annual open house Christmas party.
Even the Christmas tree alone in the corner was surrounded by donated gifts the Prime Time members brought in to use for activities offered by the club.
It was difficult to find an empty seat at a table while the members mingled and ate with one another during the Christmas celebration.
PrimeTime Director Lisa House led activities. At one point, close to 40 people were all gathered together — some dressed in red and green and others with dazzling Christmas themed jewelry. One woman, Beverly Moore, even had flashing Christmas light earrings.
Joining PrimeTime for some people is a way to get out of the house and have a social life. The Christmas party is just one of multiple activities Prime Time offers.
“I like PrimeTime because it gives us an opportunity to meet other people in the community,” said Wanda Samples, a member since 2003. “I’m a widow and I don’t want to be home by myself. I want to be around people. I talk to everyone I meet about PrimeTime.”
Donald and Virginia Crawford said they have been members of PrimeTime since the beginning.
“This is where we talk to everyone. We’ve been with PrimeTime since the 1990s,” Crawford said.
They have stayed with PrimeTime even when PrimeTime switched locations a while back from Collegiate Drive to its current location on Clarksville Street near Paris Regional Medical Center South Campus.
Anita Locke joined the program in 1998 with her husband, David. Her husband has passed away since, but she said PrimeTime has helped her through the healing process.
“PrimeTime helped my husband,” Locke explained. “When he had his first heart attack, he was here. He went to the hospital and Lisa (House) stayed by his bedside until I could get there.”
She said she is grateful the staff at PrimeTime, such as Lisa House, cares for its members. Locke is among many widowed women affiliated with PrimeTime.
Any member approached about this club has tons of grateful and positive words to share.
“I love it. I wouldn’t take anything for it. PrimeTime takes up my time,” Nelda Williams said. “I don’t want to go home. It helps me mentally and physically. PrimeTime is so great, you don’t want to miss out.”
Williams said she enjoys mingling with others and having fun with her friends at the different events.
Betty Flynn said if it weren’t for PrimeTime, she would probably be in a wheelchair right now. She has bad knees and since she became involved with the water aerobics classes PrimeTime offers, she has still been able to walk.
“I love the girls who work here,” Flynn said. “You never see them without a smile. I’ve made lots of friends here. We are joined-at-the-hip friends.”
Beverly Moore also does the water aerobics. She said that is the main reason why she joined the club; she needed some physical therapy.
“I never knew it makes you feel good to be exhausted,” she said.
At most exercise clinics, people are pushed to try harder and keep going, but Wanda Samples said, “I like the PrimeTime exercise programs because you’re not pushed. If you can do it, do it. If you can’t do it, then you don’t have to.”
PrimeTime has been in existence for almost 14 years and Bobby and Buster Quisenberry have been with the program since the beginning.
“It’s the best thing that ever happened,” Buster said. “It’s the best thing in the world.”
Bobby said she plays 42, a domino game, and she line dances with other members.
Marilyn Stephenson, a U.S. Army veteran, comes to PrimeTime every day and works on a puzzle. Currently she is working one with a winter theme.
“I go to everything they have,” she said. “I have something to do every day. I’ve made so many friends through PrimeTime. My sister in California didn’t even believe I had so many friends.”
“We have swimming Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Stephenson said. “Thursdays I play cards and I come and work the puzzle all the time.”
Three members showed up to the Christmas party in their uniforms from volunteering at the hospital. Marvin and Beth Werneke and Ann Hardin all sat together as they talked about their day working at the hospital as they ate lunch provided by PrimeTime.
“Fellowship; that’s what this is all about,” Beth Werneke said.
She joked and said, “This means I don’t have to go home and cook lunch.”
For more information on PrimeTime call 903-737-3672.
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