By Maggie DiGiovanni
Elmore/Autauga News
The comedy team of the Witch and The Warlock brought their show to Tallassee Senior Center recently. The first indication that they had arrived came when the door opened, and the Warlock aka Betty Stricker asked her lead-out question.
“What is the best medicine?” she thundered.
“Laughter!” came the reply from her audience.
Betty, born with a megaphone in her vocal cords, urged everyone to move outside to meet The Witch. Within moments all members cleared the Center to reassemble at tables and chairs provided by volunteers. The Witch is known to many as Molly Mae. Long hair flowing and dressed to the nines, including a trendy pink, pointed hat, Molly Mae stepped daintily from the trailer.
I forgot to mention that Molly Mae is a black, miniature horse, trained by Ms. Stricker as an emotional support horse. Horses can be extremely skittish. To counter that behavior, Betty taught Molly to be at ease around noisy carts, oxygen tanks, and other items that might cause unwanted behavior on her part. Molly and Betty visit nursing homes, senior centers, orphanages, Eclectic Library during reading time, and any other place within nearby towns where people need spirits lifted.
Originally, the tiny horse came to Betty’s farm as a friend for Hef, a full-sized male horse. Betty saw more in Molly. The horse came in as a wild child, untamed and more than a little giddy. With patience and lots of love, Betty won her over. Using those same tools, she looked for bigger and better things for her little mare. In return, Molly learned to trust and love her new owner.
At this performance, The Warlock checked every now and again with the pretty Witch for help remembering jokes or a particular punchline to one. The Witch never let The Warlock down. Between them, they had the Center seniors trying to guess the answer to riddles and howling with laughter at corny jokes and riddles.
For instance, one riddle went like this…what do cats eat for breakfast? After several good, but wrong answers, Molly Mae whispered the answer to Betty. Why, Mice Krispies, of course! When the show ended, and the clapping died down, Molly Mae was delighted to have her picture taken, never once acting like a prima donna.
Molly Mae will retire for the winter months. However, should anyone want to contact Molly and Betty to arrange a visit from them, go to Facebook under Miniature Horse Therapy – Miss Molly https://www.facebook.com/missmollymini/?ref=page_internal and leave a message.
Tallassee Senior Center is small, but busy place, offering the overall favorite Bingo game on Thursdays. The Director, Debbieann Woodard, is a woman with unlimited energy and ideas. She brought in others to offer crafting, exercise class, derby day, and so much more. During the summer, Debbieann is often found at Eclectic Library’s Saturday activities, providing crafts to compliment the speakers at the events.
In talking with members in attendance, I was impressed with how many first thought of the Center as “for old people and I am not old.” Yet, every one of them admitted they were so glad they gave in and attended. They joined old friends and made new ones, found so much to keep their minds and bodies active while enjoying lunch with them.
One lady, Mrs. Green, said her sister first began attending and urged Mrs. Green to get out and see what the Center had to offer. Mrs. Green’s husband died. She found herself staying home, eating alone, and watching television to pass the time. When her sister’s husband passed away, Mrs. Green gave in to her pleas and decided to try it once. Maybe that one time would make her sister happy. As it turned out, she became a regular member, who finds herself enjoying playing games with friends for a few hours. She likes having someone to share mealtime and to talk with about anything.
The story repeats itself over and over, or it did until I met Maude. Her story added a different dimension as to how people arrive at senior centers. She said while on her way to the Notasulga Senior Center, she felt the urge to go to Tallassee Center instead. Once there, she became a volunteer for several years. After volunteering, she became a member who thoroughly enjoys coming to the Center for the camaraderie offered.
If there are seniors who want to attend a senior center where young-thinking seniors go, and if the people live in Tallassee, Alabama, call Debbieann Woodard at 334-283-2766. The Center is located at 445 Main Street, Tallassee, AL
