Dixie Carter, Hal Holbrook bring cheer to Tennessee seniors

MILAN, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Tears poured down Dixie Carter's cheeks as she read Once Upon a Christmas to the aged residents of Wesley Fountain Place, an assisted living facility in Milan, a small West Tennessee town near Dixie's own childhood home of McLemoresville.

Encouraged by Lucy Jordan, a local woman who cooks for both Carter and for Wesley Fountain Place, the actress and her celebrated husband Hal Holbrook were paying a surprise visit to the excited seniors.

"We've heard it all our lives, but isn't it beautiful," observed Carter as she read the story of Christ's birth to her rapt audience.

Wiping the tears from her cheeks with a handkerchief borrowed from a listener, Carter read, "And the angels said there were tidings of great joy for the people with whom He is well pleased."

She stopped abruptly.  "Hmm.  That's changed a little from what we were taught long ago, isn't it?  It gives you pause. I certainly hope we're among the people 'with whom God is well pleased!' 

The room, filled with residents and their friends from Milan's First United Methodist Church next door, erupted into laughter.

When Carter finished the story, Fountain Place staffers convinced her to lead the residents in Christmas carols while Naomi Ogle, thrilled to the point of speechlessness, played the piano.  The dining room rang to the sounds of "Silent Night."

The interlude ended after Carter and Holbrook hugged their new found friends, took pictures, and drove away amid a flurry of kisses, waves and entreaties to come back again.

Wesley Fountain Place is a brand new star in Wesley Senior Ministries' universe. Opened October 11, the facility already has 14 residents, with a projected capacity of 36.  Fountain Place is located on the campus of Milan's First United Methodist Church, making it easy for the seniors to take part in worship services and church activities.

The Rev. Phillip Cook, pastor of Milan's First Church, says the church deeded four acres of its 37 acre property to Wesley Fountain Place, and intentionally planned its new church building to be handicapped accessible so they could be a vital part of the congregation.

"Several people have already joined the church, saying they've been waiting for years for a church they could enter in their wheelchairs or on crutches or walkers," the Rev. Cook said.

*  Farmer is director of communications for the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church.