Lining the halls of the Meadows of Rockwell Tuesday night, the facility’s residents, adorned in gowns and suits, awaited their names to be introduced before a crowded cafeteria celebrating the Winter Wonderland ball. 

The annual event has become a tradition at the senior living facility. Organized by the Rockwell Civitan Club, the evening gives residents an opportunity to meet, mingle and even shake it.

“Oh it’s a blast,” said Woody Weddington, past governor of Civitan district west. “This whole ball that we put on has just been extraordinarily successful and it’s because these people start talking about the ball three months before and they talk about it three months after.”

On Tuesday, Weddington was emceeing and introducing each ‘king’ and ‘queen’ as they entered the cafeteria, which had been outfitted to resemble a high school dance. 

“We try to make it look something like a prom,” Weddington said. 

Weddington and fellow Civitan Jim Burris delivered invitations to the Meadows residents about two weeks prior to the big event. 

“Then, (organizers) came back last week and started fitting (the residents) for the dresses and gowns they are wearing,” Weddington said. “The Civitan club has put together quite a collection of ballroom dresses, suits and stuff so that we have good clothes for them to dress up in.”

Weddington credits Civitan corresponding Secretary Kim Sheeks for putting the kings and queens theme together. 

“She thought it added some class to call them kings and queens,” Weddington said.  

Weddington doesn’t miss out on the fun. 

“Last year, I stood up someone in a wheelchair and danced,” he said. “I’ve danced with a few who had walkers. It’s a great event.”

Resident Maybell Athey agrees.  

“I really enjoy it,” Athey said. “My favorite part is getting to be with everybody here and dancing.”

She said she planned to hold onto the tiara she was given as part of the celebration. 

Athey’s fellow resident, Beth Kane, also loves the event. 

“I look forward to getting dressed up,” Kane said. “(The Civitan Club) help us to get dressed up in a nice gown, but I did my own makeup … They go all out for us. It’s really a nice organization.”

Kane has been at the facility for almost three years. It was her second winterland. 

Sheeks said that the event began about a decade ago in combination with Becky Eidson, who was an activities director at Meadows before she died. 

“Eventually she became a resident here,” Sheeks said. “She said, ‘We just need something and why don’t you get the Civitans to do it?’ So, we did.”