DOWN EAST SENIORS CLUB

 

The Down East Seniors Club held their July 9 meeting at the Blind Center of NC in Washington. President John Tunstall led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America” and Durwood Cratch gave the invocation. Dick Paul provided humor.

James Lupton gave his personal profile. He was born in Craven County and grew up in Washington, graduating from Washington High School. He attended college in Florida for two years, then joined his father here in the trucking business. He joined the local National Guard and served two years active duty during the Korean conflict. Later he worked at National Spinning, then became the Chief Tax Appraiser for Beaufort County. After he retired he sold real estate part time. He has also been active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He has been married to Colleen for 63 years and they have two sons.

Program Chairman Len Huber introduced Fran Brundage who spoke about Washington history. She played some taped interviews she had made in 1975. The people interviewed at that time were all 80 years old or older. Harriett Harris, wife of former Sheriff Harris, told about the local National Guard unit (Battery B of the 113th Field Artillery) returning from service in World War I. Lonnie Squires told about local boys getting arrested for swimming naked in the river, about Carl Goerch (former editor of the Washington Daily News) creating news, and about Edmund Harding singing “Wash, Wash, Wash in Washington”. Ms. Brundage told about Mrs. Pickles who ran the Patrician Inn, about Judge Rodman describing the big fire of 1898, and about Sheriff Rumley telling that his greatest problem was destroying moonshine stills.

Bill Cheshire won the 50/50 drawing.