Tuesday was a big day at the Penniman house. Not only because it was Little Richard’s birthday but because it was the grand opening of Pleasant Hill’s newly renovated community outreach center.

Macon-Bibb Community Enhancement Authority organizers, community members and even a few family members of the Tutti Frutti singer came to see months of hard work restoring and moving the house come to life.

They even got a chance to hear from Little Richard by phone and personally wish him a happy birthday.

“First of all he’s on the phone, he’s talking right and you’re like what?! Is that Little Richard?” said Enhancement Authority spokesman James Beverly. “The whole community is sort of blown away like he’s still the rock star and so everybody was sort of mesmerized,” Beverly continued.

Mayor Robert Reichert declared December 5th Little Richard Day in Macon-Bibb–a day sure to be celebrated for many years to come.