ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale seniors held their first soup contest of the new decade on Friday, Feb. 28, along with the annual soup contest at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center in Robertsdale.
A total of nine entries vied for the title of best soup, which was won by Mary Nabors and her potato soup. Judy Rabren finished second with her butterbean okra stew.
Judge Ruthie Campbell had the pleasure of presenting third-place to Jean Fontaine, who was awarded the prize for her crawfish bisque.
“I had the pleasure of accompanying Mrs. Jean and her husband George, judging 4-H beef cook-off competitions with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 20 years ago in Evergreen,” Campbell said. “So it was just such a neat honor to actually be able to present Mrs. Jean with an award today for her cooking.”
Thomas Ray, associate pastor with the First Baptist Church of Robertsdale; and Crystal Richardson with the Council on Aging, also served as judges.
An honorable mention award was also presented to Carole Jones for her help volunteering with the Soup Kitchen.
Other soups presented included Irish potato soup, potato sausage soup, hamburger vegetable soup, vegetable beef soup, ox tail soup and albondigas, a Mexican meatball soup.
Now in its seventh year of operation, the soup kitchen is held on the last Friday of every month and while February’s soup kitchen will feature soup, other months have featured a wide variety of foods, from chicken and dumplings, to spaghetti, to tacos and Mexican fare.
“We cook whatever we have available,” organizer Becky Hayes said. “We appreciate all the donations from the community and welcome donations and any volunteers who would like to help out. We understand that there are a lot of winter visitors to the area this time of year and if they are looking for a place to volunteer, we’d love to have them.”
Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to shut-ins every month, Hayes said.
Hayes said while they will not turn anyone away who needs a hot meal, donations are gladly accepted from those who want to come and support the program.
If you would like to donate, contact the Hayes or Claudia Barbee at the Senior Center, (251) 947-8973, or donations can be dropped off directly at the center.
Daily, weekly, monthly and special events for adults over age 50 are hosted at the center and at the PZK Hall on Alabama 104 in Robertsdale.
March activities include a the monthly Birthday Bash on Wednesday, March 11 at the Adult Activity Center. The event will also include a guest speaker. A road trip to McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola for St. Patrick’s Day has been planned for Tuesday, March 17, Lunch and a Movie on Friday, March 20 and the March Soup Kitchen on Friday, March 27.
For more information you can pick up a monthly calendar at the center, call Center Director Amy Ochello or staff volunteers at 251-947-8973, or email robertsdaleseniorcenter@gmail.org. You can also check out the Robertsdale Senior Center page on Facebook.
