DOWN EAST SENIORS CLUB

The Down East Seniors Club held their Oct. 29 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President John Tunstall led the meeting. Ed Sample led the singing of “God Bless America” and gave the invocation. Dick Robinson provided humor.

Program Chairman Arnold Koch introduced Nat Gladding, retired ship pilot. Gladding grew up sailing so he wanted to make a career of it. He took training and passed testing to receive the Master’s license after which he piloted cargo ships. In 1974 he went to Panama and entered training to become licensed to pilot ships through the Panama Canal. This is a six to eight-year process where the trainee works alongside a certified canal pilot. He successfully completed the training and piloted ships through the canal until 2000. The United States owned and operated the canal while he was there, but they turned it over to Panama shortly after he left. It takes 10 hours for a ship to pass through the canal. The canal can accommodate ships up to 950 feet long and 106 feet wide. During his time working at the canal he piloted craft ranging from small sailboats to freighters and large cruise ships.

Stewart Rumley had a signup sheet for those planning to attend the Christmas party Dec. 3.

Clif Heidel said the signup sheet for the Salvation Army bell ringing Dec. 8 has been filled.

Mark Eakes won the 50/50 drawing.

President Tunstall announced there would be a directors meeting at 9 a.m. next Wednesday.