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The Down East Seniors Club held their April 6 meeting at the Blind Center of NC in Washington. President Roy Whichard led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America” and the group pledged allegiance to the flag. Polk Culpepper gave the opening prayer and Hackney presented factoids for the date in history.

Whichard introduced member Charles Smith as the speaker. Smith is a retired United Methodist minister, and he told about some of his experiences with Duke University. He and his siblings attended Duke. He started with the intention of obtaining a law degree, but one of his roommates (a divinity student) influenced him to change to the divinity school. After graduation he was ordained as a Methodist minister and later became a district superintendent. When the Duke Medical School was being established, he worked as a fundraiser for it. He enjoyed singing and performed as a soloist in Duke Chapel in the late 1970’s. He also sang the national anthem at the opening of Duke football and basketball games for several years. He has taught some courses in the Duke Divinity School.

David Jones won the 50/50 drawing.

A staff member of Arts of the Pamlico will be the speaker at next week’s meeting.

The Down East Seniors Club is a group of older men in the Washington area who meet for fellowship and an interesting program Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 and make contributions to local charities. For more information email Julius Brauer at julius.brauer@gmail.com.