Elvis brings out smiles on senior center Senior Day
Jerry Beaber, 95, and Donnas Coulter, 99 with a birthday in July, were named king and queen of Senior Day.
Donnas Coulter of New Philadelphia, who at 99 years old with another birthday coming up in July, was named the queen of Senior Day on May 9 at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center in Dover. After having a meal, Coulter also received a scarf from the featured entertainer Elvis Presley, also known as Michael Brindley.
“It was absolutely fabulous — the whole day,” Coulter said. “I’ve just been blessed so much it’s unreal.”
Coulter also was surprised when all five of her children and other family members showed up for the event.
“They had it planned for about two weeks, and I didn’t know a thing about it,” Coulter said. “My kids come every day.”
Jerry Beaber, 95, of New Philadelphia was named king. The decision on who became royalty was decided by determining who was the oldest woman and the oldest man in attendance at the event.
Alice Moore of Dover decided to attend the event to celebrate her birthday and was surprised that part of that celebration included getting a scarf and kissing Elvis. Moore thought the dinner was good, but she couldn’t chat much as she was on her way to get a photo with Elvis after the show.
The Senior Day provided fun for the more than 70 people in attendance. Executive Director Jamie Smith welcomed everyone to the event, which was the first since she has worked at the center due to the pandemic. The event was coordinated by Vicki Yates, director of activities, and her team.
Senior Day was held in May in honor of Older Americans Month.
“We have a program, lunch, an entertainer and we give away door prizes,” Yates said. “And we crown a king and queen. I’m really excited that we’re able to do the Senior Day this year.”
The event hasn’t been held since March 2020.
“It’s been three years. We usually get an attendance of about 150. It’s down a little bit this year, which is understandable,” Yates said of the 73 registered guests.
Dinner included salad, rolls, ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans and a cream puff for dessert. A 50/50 drawing was held along with door prizes.
Providing entertainment for the event was Brindley of Uhrichsville, who performs as Elvis Presley. Brindley also serves as the pastor at the Organic Church in Uhrichsville. He has been impersonating Elvis for 20 years since age 16, although he started listening to Elvis’ music at age 6 or 7. He learned to love Elvis during long summer stays at his grandmother’s home in Alabama. He said Mona Walker listened to Elvis 24/7, all year.
“I started listening to a lot of Elvis, and then by conditioning my voice, I learned to sing by listening to Elvis. So it doesn’t matter what I’m singing — I have the Elvis scoop. You hear it in my voice,” Brindley said.
His other grandmother, Penny Brindley, encouraged her grandson, who was only 16 at the time, to do a show for the patients at a local nursing home where she worked, and her mother was a resident.
“I found a Halloween costume on eBay, and I bought it. Then I went to Goodwill, and I bought black dress shoes and I spray painted them white. I went and did this show, and they loved it. I’ve never looked back,” Brindley said.
Brindley’s wife Alyssia operates the sound for the shows.
“These are the types of crowds that we enjoy the most,” Brindley said. “It doesn’t matter how big the show is, how small the show is, but nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and senior centers are our favorite.”
The people there are the people who remember Elvis Presley, who passed away in 1977 at the age of 42.
“These folks always know the music. They appreciate Elvis for who he was, not what they’ve learned about him in the past,” Brindley said.
Brindley is aware of a trend in 30-somethings knowing the music of Presley. He and Alyssia have seen the younger fans in attendance when they attend shows by other Elvis Presley entertainers.
The jumpsuit Brindley wore for the senior center performance was made by a company from British Columbia, Canada and is a replica of one Elvis wore in the early 1970s.
“I have three jumpsuits, and then I have what they call casual wear. So I’ve got different shirts and pants and different things like that. You can do more casual events,” Brindley said.
Sponsors for the event were the Tuscarawas County Senior Center, Walnut Hills, Crossroads Hospice, Community Hospice, Amberwood Manor, Traditions Health, Mobility Management, Brightview, Seaton Square and the Linn Hert Geib Funeral Home & Crematory.
The new Prospect Perks coffee and café shop opened last week, and Smith said the first day’s receipts quadrupled what they usually take in during a day.