 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Please scroll down for more
A night to remember
Louisville senior citizens celebrate annual prom at retirement community
Louisville Times
May 18, 2005
written by Kelley King
As Hilton Stratton reflected recently on his high school prom, the 100-year-old Louisville resident was matter of fact.
"Well, yes, I did attend my prom, but I can't tell you anything at all about it," Stratton said. "It's been too long ago for me to remember all that nonsense."
Fortunately, Stratton now has many more immediate memories to share following the Friday, May 13, "Senior" prom at Louisville's Balfour Retirement Community.
Decked out in the suit he dons about twice each year, Stratton joined his lady friend and a room filled with residents wearing their Sunday best as a handful of couples danced to music of the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Clovers.
And although the evening's musical selections strayed from today's prom pop rock, the silver-spinning disco ball and arches of helium-filled balloons floating overhead followed the standard high school formal fare.
In fact, as boutonnieres were secured to lapels and punch glasses were refilled, the annual Balfour "Senior" prom was about as authentic as any traditional prom can be, right down to the surprise shared during the coronation ceremony for the 2005 prom king and queen.
"I didn't even vote," Stratton explained as the king's crown was placed atop his head. "I didn't even know people were being nominated for this sort of thing."
Although Stratton shared surprise in being named the 2005 king, Dorothy Cole was far from shocked at the news that her date was heading up the royal court.
"He won because he's just so nice," Cole said. "He's so nice and accommodating and people really like him here."
Explanations for why 90-year-old Aileen London was crowned the 2005 queen also were abundant as she sat near the doorway wearing her crown, rolling her new magic wand across the back of her hand.
As passerby congratulated London, commenting: "You deserve it, you deserve to be the queen," she smiled graciously and talked about her newfound royal title.
"No, I've never been a prom queen before," London explained. "I was very surprised when I heard they said my name. We were about to leave for dinner and my son walked over and led me down the aisle to the dance floor."
Fortunately, London's son, Gary, was in town from Bethesda, Md., for a visit with friends and family and a round of golf in the Rocky Mountain air, when he learned of his mother's newfound status.
"She's always been my queen," he chided as he snapped a few photos of his mother in her new crown.
The 2005 "Senior" prom at Balfour marked the third such celebration for many residents and their family members.
It also provided a reason for the retirement community's more than 120 residents to plan a party.
"Each year, we invite all the residents and start planning for the night's activities," Balfour executive director Sandy Christensen said. "It gives the residents something to look forward to and provides some routine for them."
For Natalie Murray, a Monarch High School sophomore who volunteers at the Louisville facility, the prom highlighted why she continues her work with the local residents.
"There are so many other retirement homes out there that wouldn't do something like this," Murray said. "That's why it's special here. People get together for events like this and make new friends and enjoy the whole social experience."