All week long in Hopkinsville, they called themselves “The Naughty Table.”
But during Wednesday evening’s conclusion of the 38th Annual Pennyrile Senior Games at the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex, there was nothing but nice news for Trigg County’s silver citizens — who earned both “Most Improved” and “Most Participation” outside of Christian County.
Not only did the group see improved efforts and attendance from last year’s games, it was Trigg County Senior Center Executive Director Cissy Lawrence and her crew that accounted for 36 of the 206 attendees: or 17.4% of all competitors.
Lawrence called it “very tiring,” but “good, clean fun,” as she drove the bus all week for what she calls “her children.” Everyone then got to co-mingle with eight other senior citizens groups and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 13 events — ranging from croquet and lawn bowling, to shuffleboard and softball throws.
This included the oldest male, 92-year-old Jim Gosnell, as well as a pair of Linda’s — Oiler and Keller — who held each other’s hand after the awards.
Attending for the fifth consecutive year, Oiler won the one-mile walk in her age division — shaving five seconds off of her time — and had other medals wrapped around her neck.
Keller, meanwhile, returned for a second straight year.
Outside of the physical activities is a deeper-rooted connection — one of friendship, kinship and mortality. Be it a spouse, a friend or a family member, many in attendance had lost a loved one in the last year.
It’s the rallying around each other, Keller added, that makes this week all the more meaningful.
Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation Superintendent Toby Hudson noted that the Sportsplex and more than a dozen sponsors make the annual celebration possible.
Following the death of beloved 99-year-old Clina Mae Norfleet, Lyon County’s Barbara Padgett earned the games’ “Oldest Woman” honor, at 95 years old.
