(Published March 9, 2008)– The Limestone County Council on Aging recently hired a new nutrition coordinator. Sheilia Long will take the responsibility of serving five of six senior centers in Limestone County.

“The search for the nutrition coordinator was kind of a tough one because it requires compassion and management responsibility,” said Emily Haney, director of Council on Aging.

Long is the best person for the job, she said.

Long has a background working with seniors. She was the Rogersville Senior Citizens Center director from 2005 to 2007.

While there, Long received several awards and recognition including, the 2007 Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments 34th annual SCAD Senior Center Directors Award and the Award for Volunteer Services, the 2007 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Golden Eagle Permanent Member Award, first and second places in the 2007 NACOLG Senior Citizen Volunteer Service Award,

“I just can’t imagine a better fit,” Haney said.

In Limestone County, Long will supervise nutrition site managers, perform general office duties and support activities.

“I have always admired and looked up to seniors and I love listening to their stories,” Long said.

Long hopes to start several programs in Limestone County that she implemented at the Rogersville Center, such as the Master Games of Alabama where seniors can compete in dominoes, table tennis, rook, basketball free throw, softball throw, billiards, bowling, track, racquetball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, checkers, Frisbee throw, nerfball throw, swimming and golf.

Long lives in Lauderdale County. She was born to Mahlon and Gladys Graham in Winterhaven, Fla., and later moved to Limestone County, where she grew up.

She is a 1976 graduate of West Limestone High School, and received an associate’s degree from Alverson-Draughon Business School in Huntsville.

She is married to Lendale Long. They have three children, Amber Long Speake, April Long, and Adam Long. She enjoys writing poetry, writing, and spending time with family.

To get involved in the Limestone County senior centers, call Long or Haney at (256) 233-6412.