BAY MINETTE — Rotary Village was aglow with lights, decorations and the sounds of Christmas last Thursday as it celebrated 50 years of affordable, supportive housing for the elderly and 15 years of the Bay Minette Rotary Club.

The Holiday Dinner and Open House was held at the site, 2211 McMillan Ave., and was intended to bring awareness to Rotary Village and Section 202 of the 1959 Housing Act, which makes the Village possible.

"The section 202 program provides affordable supportive housing for seniors nationwide, enabling them to age in place and live independently with self sufficiency for as long as possible," the invitation stated.

Supportive in this case means that while residents enjoy the freedom of their own apartment and the freedom to come and go as they need and want, they have support services for things that may be difficult for them to do.

"(The Section 202 program) provides very low-income elderly with options that allow them to live independently but in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, transportation, etc.," the Gulfbelt Properties Web site states.

While the Rotary Club maintains ownership of the complex, Gulfbelt Properties manages the property.

In addition to the services provided, each apartment is equipped with a call button in the bathroom and bedroom that will alert others if help is needed.

Apartments are available to residents 62 and older, with an income of less than $21,000 per year for a single person. To apply, residents should call John Drinkard at the site and schedule an appointment.

During the Open House, judges visited apartments for a door decoration contest. First place in the competition was Bonnie Holmes, who helped others decorate their doors as well. She was given a $50 gift card to Wal-mart. Second place, earning a $30 gift card, was Mary Reil, while Jessie Cofer took home a $20 gift card for third place.

Pianist Martha Davis played the piano early in the evening, followed by a guitar duet from Ray Haddack of Tillman's Corner and Sid Bowers of Bay Minette, who entertained those present in the form of Christmas Carols.

Numerous local and state representatives visited the residents, including Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery, Bay Minette Police Chief Michael Rowland, State Reps. Harry Shiver, John McMillan and Randy Davis, as well as several Bay Minette firefighters and EMS personnel.