By J.R. Tidwell / Editor

The Gardens of Clanton assisted living facility hosted a tea party March 15 in celebration of being named 2018 Best of Senior Living by SeniorAdvisor.com.

The ratings on the website are provided by families of residents.

The award was one of two presented to GOC administrator Vickie Moseley during the party.

“It’s very emotional,” Moseley said. “I’m very excited to get these awards. I could not do this without my staff. They are very important to this community and to me. They are my backbone. They do everything with taking care of the residents daily.

“I wouldn’t be the person or administrator I am today without them, our residents and our sponsors. I give God all the glory and thank everyone who came and participated today.”

While this particular tea party was put on in celebration of the awards presented to GOC, it will not be the last event of its kind Gardens residents can enjoy.

“We are going to start doing this quarterly for all of our residents,” Moseley said. “We are having a tea party to celebrate the beginning of 2018 and us getting Best of the Best of Assisted Living and getting top five in the state of Alabama. We are very excited.”

Tammy Noah of SunCrest Home Health was on hand to give Moseley and GOC the “best of the best” award.

“We provide services for residents in assisted living communities,” Noah said of SunCrest. “We assist the staff in providing the best care possible with the patients. We want them to stay stronger longer and have a good quality of life.

“We like to recognize the facilities that do an outstanding job, because it takes a lot to be able to take care of these residents day in and day out. They do an amazing job. This is one of the places I would want to come when I get to that point in my life.”

Several different groups and individuals helped the staff at GOC put on the event. Mollie Smelley provided all of the china used for the tea party, and several people and groups contributed food, according to Moseley.

“Nothing pleases me more than to have a party,” Smelley said.

The staff and residents at GOC all dressed up for the occasion.

“We’re all wearing Southern hats, gloves and pearls,” Moseley said. “It’s an exciting day for all of us to join together and have an exciting event drinking all these special teas we are starting to provide for our residents.”