Senior ballroom dance

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

A mirrored ball reflects light during a ballroom dance session at the Plano Senior Center in Plano on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008.


Couples warm up before a ballroom dance session at the Plano Senior Center. About 150 seniors participate in the social and fitness events.


Diane Ruede (left) and Al Jensen (right) spin to a stop during a ballroom dance session at the Plano Senior Center.



Janelle Moore (left) and Roland Cooper (right) show some fancy footwork during a ballroom dance session at the Plano Senior Center.


Guests take a snack break during a ballroom dance session at the Plano Senior Center in Plano.



Ruby Nickens, 90, (left) dances with her partner Max Meldrum, 84, (right) during a ballroom dance session at the Plano Senior Center in Plano.

Please read, "Ballroom dancing keeps seniors active and social" by Mallary Jean Tenore / The Dallas Morning News.

40-70 Rule

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Hubert Herndon (left) talks to his daughter Eva LeBlanc (right) in a courtyard at The Oaks at Beaumont in Beaumont on Saturday, April 12, 2008. A recent study concluded adults should discuss sensitive issues about health, money, driving and more when a parent reaches age 70 or a child reaches age 40.

For additional information please read, "As parents reach 70s or older, kids become caretakers" by Gloria Douglas.

Dedicated to Sam Bean

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Virginia Bean, wife of the late Sam Bean, wipes away a tear during a renovation celebration at the Raintree Towers in Beaumont on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. Sam Bean was vice president of Raintree's board of directors during most of the 15 years he served.


Virginia Bean examines a portrait of her late husband after a renovation celebration at the Raintree Towers. The Beaumont Elderly & Handicapped Housing Corporation refinanced the property for about $1 million to make significant repairs to the facility. As part of the renovation ceremony, a portrait of former board vice president Sam Bean was added to the towers' lobby.

Please read, "Civil rights leader honored" by Fred Davis.

Morning Out Club slideshow

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The Morning Out program allows Alzheimers caregivers a break from their daily difficulties by providing safe, social interaction for the Alzheimers patient. Caregivers drop off their family member with Alzheimers and get work done or relax for a few hours while the family member is in an encouraging social setting.

The program recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary and will expand from once per week to twice per week in September. Activities include a review of current events, music, exercise, games, mission projects, special guests, and weekly devotionals. Volunteers assist participants in the program with activities and provide lunch.

Please read, "Morning Out Club creates a social outlet..." by Rose Ybarra.

Proud grandmother

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Verna J. Payne of Beaumont points out her grandson, Quenton Woods, as the Central High School band moves into the stands in Cardinal Stadium at Lamar University in Beaumont on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Central squared off against West Brook for game two of the Beaumont Bowl.

Hotel Beaumont annex demolition video

video and music © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

This is the video I promised to upload. I composed the music for it as well. It's far more upbeat than the last song (or the next song).

Hotel Beaumont annex demolition

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Houston-based Cherry Demolitions disassembles Hotel Beaumont's annex building in Beaumont on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. The building has not been used for many years and suffered additional damage during Hurricane Rita. The vacated area will be converted into a garden setting for the assisted-living center residents.


IOU one Monday Movie. I planned to have a quick piece on this demolition ready today, but I've been running in four directions while we're short-staffed. I hope to get it pulled together later this week and add it to this post, but I have several projects to complete before I can jump on it.

Update: The movie is posted here.
 

Boomer wheels

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Sales agent John "Pinky" Reynolds poses for a portrait with his personal Scion xB at Kinsel Toyota Superstore in Beaumont on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007. Although the Scion and similar autos were intended for Generation Y drivers, the Baby Boomers are buying them for their lower price, fuel efficiency, larger doors and hauling capacity.

Please read, "Baby Boomers buying up vehicles intended for Generation Y" by Becky Bowman.

Senior hoedown

Hotel Beaumont resident Joe Arena cares for his daughter's 5-year-old miniature horse Beau Jangles during a Western hoedown party at the assisted living facility in Beaumont on Thursday, March 16, 2006. Debbie Wiggins with Rodeo Ranch of Beaumont brought the horse to the hotel as part of the festivities.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise




(Above) Wanda Morris (left) and her daughter Kathy Morris (right) share a laugh during a Western hoedown party at the Hotel Beaumont.

(Right) Dorothy Woods dances to the tunes of Cajun-Country Classics during a Western hoedown party at the Hotel Beaumont.

Senior wedding

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Sarah Clark, 71, (left) exchanges vows and rings with Robert E. Scott, Jr., 84, (right) at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Beaumont on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006.


Sarah Clark (center) and Robert E. Scott, Jr. (right) talk with Scott's sister, Doris Lemmon of Beaumont (left), after the wedding at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Beaumont.


Sarah Clark (left) and Robert E. Scott, Jr. dance during their wedding reception at MacKenzie's Pub in Beaumont.

Leaving home

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

(Above) Ruby Roche, 79, waits on her daughter during an evacuation at The Ridgewood Retirement Community in Beaumont on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005. She plans to meet with her other daughter in Dayton, Texas to determine where the family will eventually go during the storm.

(Below) Melanny Schwartz, 89, (right) of Beaumont reads a newspaper while her nephew-in-law James Craig (left) builds a bookshelf before they evacuate The Ridgewood Retirement Community in Beaumont to Craig's home in Burnet, Texas. Schwartz moved into the facility yesterday (Sept. 20).



Please see Mark's Hurricane Rita visual timeline.

A gift

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Red "Jingles the Clown" Ransonette (right) presents a balloon puppy to Val Runte of Nederland (left) during the Senior Celebration and Consumer Expo at the Beaumont Civic Center in Beaumont on Sept. 1, 2005.

Incidentally, Red is Miss New Orleans' dad. :-)

Envogue retirement party

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

(Above) Gloria Parker (left) and former employee Lynn Zeno (right) dance during Parker's retirement party at Envogue Hair Studio in Beaumont on Friday, June 3, 2005.

(Below) Gloria Parker (right) talks with her son Jordan Burton (left) during the retirement party. Parker was retiring after 55 years of cutting hair in Beaumont.

Overwhelming fortress

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

WW II veteran Hubert Carpenter of Pittsburg, Texas is overwhelmed with emotion after a flight in a B-17 Flying Fortress at Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington on Sunday, June 8, 2003. His wife Pat Carpenter (right) was on hand to share the moment. It was the first time Carpenter flew in a B-17 bomber since his was shot down over Germany.