Organizer Becky Hayes checks on beef stew served during the January soup kitchen Friday at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center in Robertsdale.

Additional February events at the Adult Activity Center:

Outing to the Mobile County Music Association fundraiser departs at 9:15 a.m. from the center.

Mardi Gras Parade buses: Saturday, Feb. 10, bus departs at 11 a.m. for the Krewe of Mullet Mates in Mullet Point; bus departs at 5:30 p.m. for the Shadow Barons parade in Daphne; Tuesday, Feb. 13, bus departs at 11 a.m. for the Orange Beach Mardi Gras parade.

Arbor Day Celebration will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at Honeybee Park.

Birthday celebration for Rex Aldridge will be held Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Center. Come celebrate his 97th birthday!

Monthly events

Robertsdale Garden Club meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Tuesday of every month (Feb. 13).

Birthday Bash is held beginning at 11 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month. Come for cake and ice cream at 11 a.m. and stay for a Valentine’s Lunch at 12:30 on Feb. 14.

Pysanky Egg Classes are held beginning at 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month (Feb. 16).

Lunch-n-Learn begins at 11 a.m. the third Wednesday of every month (Feb. 21).

Daily/Weekly activities

Exercise classes are held beginning at 8:30 a.m. every Monday and Thursday.

Canasta/dominoes begins at 10 a.m. every Monday.

Games are played beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Bingo begins at 1:30 p.m. every Monday.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 5 p.m. every Tuesday.

Pantry bingo begins at 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

Bridge is played at 1:30 p.m. every Thursday.

Activities at the PZK Hall, 17933 Alabama 104

Beekeepers Association meets at 6:45 p.m. the first Monday of every month.

Ballroom dances from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday. Admission is $10.

Stitch-N-Friends quilting and sewing group meets from 1 to 3 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month.

Dance to the music of the Southern Star Band beginning at 7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of every month.

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The annual soup contest will once again combine with the monthly soup kitchen to provide a variety of culinary delights on Friday, Feb. 23 at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center in Robertsdale.

The ninth annual soup contest will feature a variety of soups provided by local contestants.

“Anyone can enter for a chance to win, as long as they are age 50 or older,” said Adult Activity Center Director Sarah Duncan. “Anyone who wishes to compete must have their soup on the table by 11 a.m. for judging and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy what our fabulous cooks have to offer.”

Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

The monthly soup kitchen will begin as soon as the judging is concluded and awards have been handed out at the Adult Activity Center, located at 22651 E. Chicago St. in Robertsdale.

Unlike the soup contest, the soup kitchen is open to all residents, said program coordinator Becky Hayes. After sending out an appeal for donations in December, Hayes said the soup kitchen has had an outpouring of support from individuals and businesses in the community.

“We’re just overwhelmed,” said Hayes during the January soup kitchen held Friday. “We want to thank everyone who has come forward and donated. We want to particularly thank those media outlets who helped us get the word out. Without them this would not have been possible.”

Now in its fifth year of operation, the soup kitchen is held on the last Friday of every month and while February’s soup kitchen will feature soup, other months have featured a wide variety of foods, from chicken and dumplings, to spaghetti, to tacos and Mexican fare.

“We cook whatever we have available,” Hayes said. “We appreciate all the donations from the community and welcome donations and any volunteers who would like to help out. We understand that there are a lot of winter visitors to the area this time of year and if they are looking for a place to volunteer, we’d love to have them.”

Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to shut-ins every month, Hayes said.

Hayes said while they will not turn anyone away who needs a hot meal, donations are gladly accepted from those who want to come and support the program.

If you would like to donate, contact the Hayes or Claudia Barbee at the Senior Center, (251) 947-8973, or donations can be dropped off directly at the center.