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Residents of the Gardens of Clanton were treated to a week of events during the 2023 National Assisted Living Week. (VICKIE MOSELEY | CONTRIBUTED)

Resident’s families got to participate in the Groovy Grandparents Day at the Gardens of Clanton on Sept. 11. (VICKIE MOSELEY | CONTRIBUTED)

The Clanton Middle School cheerleaders put on a tailgate party and pep rally for the residents that concluded the week’s events on Sept. 15. (VICKIE MOSELEY | CONTRIBUTED)

Prom king John Carr, left, and prom queen Mildred Benton at the Neon Jungle Prom at the Gardens of Clanton. (VICKIE MOSELEY | CONTRIBUTED)

Residents being serenaded by live entertainment during the Neon Jungle Prom. (VICKIE MOSELEY | CONTRIBUTED)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The Gardens of Clanton threw a massive celebration for its residents for National Assisted Living Week from Sept. 10-16. Gardens of Clanton administrator Vickie Moseley and staff put together the entire week with events each day to help residents get active and involved in the community.

“The week overall was just tremendous,” Moseley said. “It was just great fellowship with all of our families and getting to enjoy family time. They probably had not been to a prom since their days in school. It was really fun, and we are trying to do something like this each year to engage with the families and the community.”

While the events began on Sept. 11, the Neon Jungle Prom stole the show for the week. Residents got all dressed up in tuxedos provided by Suits Me and evening gowns provided by Glitz and Gown and enjoyed a night of fun dancing with their families who attended as well.

John Carr and Mildred Benton were named prom king and queen, respectively, and live music was provided by DJ Tony Boyer and food was catered by Barbara Minor. Everyday Flowers by Ronny and Pinedale Gardens also helped out by providing the corsages for the prom.

While the Gardens of Clanton have been celebrating NALW for many years, this year they decided to go all out for it, and now have started a new tradition each year going all in for it.

“This year we went for it, and everyone in the community supported us,” Moseley said.

The week’s events began on Sept. 11 with Groovy Grandparents Day with families of the residents coming by to party with them. A chili and ice cream bar were provided, and Chilton County dignitaries visited the residents as well later in the day. The Verbena FCS concluded the day by offering a moment of reflection and prayer to honor the lives lost in 9/11.

The events the rest of the week included a devotional from Bethsalem Baptist Church, Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims stopping by to read the Gardens’ NALW proclamation and a tailgate party and pep rally was held for the residents by the Clanton Middle School Cheerleaders.

The Gardens of Clanton’s motto is “Living our best life,” and Moseley has been involved in making that happen for the residents for over 20 years.

Now, she has her mother as a resident there, and she is continuing to help residents stay involved in the community, stay active and live life by the facility’s motto.

“My passion is for the elderly, and that is why I got into this,” Moseley said. “I want to make everybody’s lives their best each and every day. They actually encourage me to be the best I can be as an administrator and come up with good ideas for them to engage in. Just being able to love them and care for their needs everyday puts a smile on my face, and I hope to continue doing this for many more years.”

For more information about the Gardens of Clanton, contact their office at 205-280-0084.

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