Marshall Manor Nursing & Rehab Senior Olympic Team

from Harrison Magazine Summer 2023

Black, white students across Marshall joined in civil rights demonstrations

The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem opened the 2023 Senior Olympic Games held at Maud Cobb Convention Center on June 6 th . Over 200 participants from Assisted Livings and Skilled Nursing facilities within a 60-mile radius of Longview were dressed in their Olympic attire with big smiles.

Marshall Manor Nursing and Rehab showed their excitement and team spirit in the opening parade as they marched around the convention center with pom poms chanting and cheering, “Marshall Manor #1!”

The residents participated in wheel chair races, bean bag toss, fastest walker, dice game, volleyball, wheelchair races, dance contest and many more. Jennifer Garza, Rehab Director stated, “We worked hard to be ready and we wanted to represent Marshall Manor well.”

Otis Harris brought his competitive nature to the games and was awarded 3 medals, 1st Place Gold Medal in the dice game, 2nd place Silver medal in the wheelchair races and a Bronze medal in the Volleyball tournament. Willie Roberson competed and brought home 2 medals, a Gold Medal for 1st place in the wheelchair races and a Bronze medal for 3rd place in the Volleyball tournament.

“We are so excited and proud of these two residents as well as all of our Olympic team”, stated Robert Parker, Activity Director. In his excitement Otis said,

“It was a GREAT day!

Marshall Manor is NUMBER ONE!”

As the summer comes to a close and the new school year is quickly approaching, it is easy to wonder where the time went. The temperature is still triple digits, so there’s no way school should be starting, but here it is. We learn many things during our school years, but Robert Fulghum may be correct by saying ‘All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.’

Who is going to argue with him that warm cookies and cold milk are good for you? OK, perhaps if you are lactose intolerant, you may take a different view, but metaphorically he is correct, enjoy the sweet things in life. Hopefully you are taking time to enjoy those items at home and around Harrison County that make life enjoyable. Don’t get in such a race to get the kids to and from practice that you don’t enjoy the moments in the car with your children. Don’t get me wrong, those activities are important, and often make up the fabric of our community, but the moments in between the moments can provide some of the sweetest memories, if we allow ourselves to be mentally present for them.

Fulghum also reminds people one of the first words you learned was, look.

Are you aware of what is going around you? Are you genuinely curious about new experiences or opportunities that are presented?

My experience is people want to share what they know or have, if you are genuinely interested and curious in your inquiry. Stop in that local business you have passed 100 times, and poke your head in and see what they are up to. I Perhaps you have passed the Starr Family Home or Memorial City Hall and asked yourself, I wonder what is inside? Stop, go in and be curious. You will find out there are great things happening right here in your backyard.

Before you ever made it to Kindergarten, your mother most likely already taught you an important lesson, that you should always use your manners. Have gratitude for the things that you have and be sure to say thank you. As the students return to the classroom, and teachers and administrators prepare for another year of learning, allow me to be the first to say thank you for preparing the next generation of Harrison County difference makers. Your work is important, and you most definitely have an impact well beyond your time in front of the child.

Publisher

Alexander Gould agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Editor