The Down East Seniors Club held their Feb. 11 meeting at the Blind Center of NC in Washington. President Stewart Rumley led the meeting. Frank Stallings led the singing of “God Bless America” and President Rumley gave the invocation. Dick Robinson and Dick Paul provided humor.

President Rumley announced that, beginning next week, the parking area behind the Blind Center would be closed due to construction of the new building for the First Christian Church. Bill Cates and Phil Ryals will deliver Meals on Wheels this month.

Program Chairman Charlie Moore introduced John Cole, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Newport. Mr. Cole said that the federal government created the US Weather Bureau in 1870 to forecast weather. The first weather station in North Carolina was opened in Hatteras in 1874. The name was changed to the National Weather Service in 1970. The Newport station opened in 1994 and it serves 15 eastern counties from Currituck to Surf City. Most weather observations now are automated, however volunteer observers provide valuable input. Computer models and improved radar systems provide much better forecasts than in the past. During hurricanes the most damage is done by storm surge. NWS is working to improve storm surge warnings.

Joe Rose won the 50/50 drawing.