Marian's Hunting Stories, etc., etc., etc...: Front Page News: SPS 10th Year Celebration!

Jessica Delk, right, program coordinator at Some Place Special, presents Juanita Wyatt, center, a certificate of membership at the center on Manor Drive Friday. (That is me on the far left clapping for her. My husband, Bob, who goes to SPS was standing up away from the table at the time picture was taken)

This past Friday I was invited to attend the 10th year celebration at Some Place Special where my husband, Bob, attends four days a week.

Some Place Special is run by Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Services (WYMH) as a recreational outlet for seniors living in the Vicksburg Area. I am also on the Advisory Council Board for WYMH where Don Brown is the director. He said that the programs helps keep the participants active in the community.

"In a nutshell, it's about socialization," Brown said. "Most of our folks live at home alone or with family who are not able to be there all day."

Brown said the facility on Manor Drive allows participants to keep up with current events and stay sharp in communication.

Participants are picked up by a bus Monday through Friday mornings and spend each day working on arts and crafts, learning about nutrition and health and taking field trips throughout the region.

Elizabeth Naya was the coordinator for Some Place Special for nine years before Jessica Delk took over.

"Over the years, we have implemented a lot of different programs to address their needs and wants," Naya said. "They will tell us, 'No we don't like this," or 'We really like this."

Naya went on to describe the atmosphere saying that after several months, the participants grow close and rely on each other.

"It's really a special place," Naya said. "It's really just a family within a family."

One of the more popular visitors at Some Place Special is Al Gordy's Australian Labradoodle, Smooch, a certified therapeutic dog.

"The thing about therapeutic dogs is they show a high degree of empathy," Gordy said. "Smooch can immediately pick up on someones emotional needs. His primary job is making people smile."