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Arlene Hensiek and Frank Campbell share a dance at the Casey Senior Citizen Prom in Greenup on Saturday, July 11. Photo by Marcy Shonk
Senior Citizen Prom ''A Night to Remember''  Share
She had waited nearly a lifetime to make this memory. ''Ya' know,'' Caroline Gast offered as she leaned into the dinner conversation. ''This is my first prom.'' ''No,'' she clarified, ''My very first prom. Do you think I've waited long enough?'' The 70-year-old Neoga woman blames that missed rite of passage to not being asked as a student of Neoga High School. But, the sweet anticipation of stepping onto the dance floor this night of the seventh annual Senior Citizen Prom diminished that childhood omission into no more than a fleeting thought. The theme for this year's prom was ''A Night to Remember.'' Caroline arrived late, but made a quick assessment. ''So far, I love it,'' she said. ''I love to dance and hope someone asks.'' She claims to have inherited that from her mother, a ''born dancer.''
''I guess I'm one, too,'' she said. ''I like to dance slow and do those turns. I used to do that fast stuff. Now I like to do my own thing.'' And, when that invitation finds her, she plans to smile and say, ''Of course. I thought you'd never ask.'' Caroline explains she used to dance a lot, but became too busy with family. Her husband, Harold, died 20 years ago, but left her with a loving family of five grown children, 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, with two more expected at Christmastime. She retired 10 years ago as a medical transcriptionist. ''I've just been too busy with a little bit of everything and taking care of kids,'' she said. Caroline adopted her 11-year-old great-granddaughter five years ago. ''I got my second wind,'' she said and decided to adopt her. ''She's a dandy,'' she said. Now, the child has opted to live with her ''younger grandma,'' Caroline's daughter. She credits her faith, family and health to her long life. ''If asked the secret to my longevity, it's my faith in God, staying healthy and having such a wonderful family. They keep me going,'' she said. Caroline's family spans five generations, but she laments her 88-year-old mother is in failing health. A long life expectancy also eminates from her father's side of the family, as he lived to the age of 83. June 12 was Caroline's birthday. Her children were hosts to a birthday celebration on the beach of the Mattoon Lake. Her gift was renovation of a large wooden lighthouse, part of her collection, in need of attention. ''It was beautiful,'' she said. After the prom dinner, catered by Deb's Catering Service of Altamont, the coronation of the 2009 Senior Citizen Prom was conducted. Clark County Fair Queen Kaylee Babbs of Westfield announced the court of last year's royalty, King Ben Hammond of Westfield and Queen Val Endsley of Casey. Kenny Wilson of Casey was crowned king of this year's prom and queen was Vera Coleman, also of Casey. Door prize winners were Eddie Hammond, Ruth Comer, Sue Chronic, Ruth Kidd, Terri Cribelar, Stephanie Hunt, Imogene Smith, Bill Williams, Kenny Wilson and Caroline Gast. Around 170 seniors, family and friends attended the event, held at the Greenup Municipal Building on July 11. The Casey Senior Social Center and Casey Health Care Center organized the prom. Committee members were Irma Jean Hammond, Janet Cooper, Ruth Kidd, Martin Murphy, Brenda Murphy, Rena Fragale, Tracy Brewer and Kathleen Beasley. Next year's prom ''Night in the Spotlight,'' will be held Saturday, July 10, again with The Gene Trimble Band. Caroline was thrilled with her gift certificate from Richards Farm, but delighted the band was about to play. ''Is that a saxophone?'' she asked. ''I love the saxophone!'' The Gene Trimble Band took the stage and a band member asked the crowd, ''Everyone ready to dance?'' Caroline clapped her hands and shouted a resounding ''yeah.'' The band opened with Sentimental Journey and Caroline rose to find a dance partner. Her ''night to remember'' had begun. Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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