Linda Holley, director of Senior Circle at L.V. Stabler Hospital, recently received a national award from Community Health Systems. CHS recognized her as first runner-up for the outstanding job she did during 2000 as the local advisor for Greenville’s Senior Circle program. This honor is especially impressive because there are 53 chapters of Senior Circle spread throughout the United States.

&uot;The criteria for this award included a number of goals: developing membership, retaining members, planning new activities, arranging day and extended trips,&uot; Holley stated.

While serving as director, the Greenville chapter’s membership has grown to over 1200 participants. Holley publishes a newsletter every two months which includes a calendar of events and she oversees the hospital’s auxiliary of volunteers, most of whom are members of Senior Circle.

&uot;For $15 a year, the benefits of Senior Circle are tremendous,&uot; Holley said. For the month of June, her members enjoy the camaraderie of a weekly breakfast club at the Hampton Inn, a twice weekly Walk for Health, and a weekly exercise class at the First Baptist Church.

In addition to the activities here in Greenville, members of Senior Circle also take trips out of the city. For example, a trip to an Atlanta Braves game is planned for June 21, and the group recently took a motor coach to Lafayette, La., to experience Cajun fare and fun. Also, a Christmas trip to New York will be repeated this December.

Other benefits include discounts at area shops and restaurants, a private room upgrade when hospitalized, and complimentary meals to the caregiver of a hospitalized member.

&uot;All this and parties, too,&uot; said Holley, who is renowned for her cakes.

Senior Circle just celebrated its second year with a cookout at Sherling Lake. One of the Senior Circle’s most active members,

Vivian Killingsworth, lauded Holley. &uot;We all are very fond of her. She is especially deserving because she is a hard worker.

She personally cooks breakfast – bacon, eggs, biscuit, sausage – at the hospital, and she is always planning something new for us.&uot;

For more information on Senior Circle, call Holley at (334) 382-2671 ext. 2321.