Braswell library hosts seniors

Just as the doors opened on May 7 at Braswell Memorial Library, the whiff of popcorn greeted the first of more than 200 senior citizens who attended the library’s Senior Fair Day.

This was their day to discover unknown pleasures in their community and gather useful information from Raleigh to Scotland Neck.

Leading off the event as a greeter at the door was Keith Davis, co-chairman of the library’s Senior Advisory Committee, and Mrs. Emma Parker. Other committee members are Maxine Lucas, Jim Curtis, Mardie Harper, Traci Thompson, Ruth Parker, John Langley, Agnes Moore and Billie Jo Matthews, chairwoman.

Door prizes were generously given by local merchants and winning tickets were drawn every 15 minutes. To add to the day’s enjoyment, Chef Don Sexauerfrom the Culinary School of Arts at Nash Community College prepared a delicious pasta dish for his audience.

A Story Hour included poetry reading and talks by local authors. Matthew Brady (in costume as Wayne Ritchie) told his audience about Civil War photography.

More than 30 exhibits were featured throughout the library, including wood carving, basket weaving, quilting, wooden jewelry boxes, Indian artifacts, old tools, the Farmer’s Market, and flower arranging with garden club members making small arrangements for everyone. Participants could get their glasses cleaned and their blood pressure taken free. For the light-hearted, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center brought 2 ducklings along with a video of the waterfowl at their park. Viewers enjoyed popcorn while they watched the video.

Senior Centers from Nash County and Rocky Mount were represented, as was The Twin County Museum & Hall of Fame.

Information concerning safety was supplied by the Rocky Mount Police and Fire Departments and Nash County Emergency Services. Included in this program was an authentic wheel barrow used by the police in 1909 to carry the drunks from the bars to the local lock-up, and a water pull trophy given for 7 years, last won by the fire department in 1987.

The second floor housed displays with information from Nash General Volunteers, the Luncheon Pilot Club, Spring Arbor of Rocky Mount, Stonewall Manor, and the Local Council of Government’s Area Agency on Aging. Also on display was a Black Coin Collection, material from the Atlantic Coast Line & Seaboard Air Line Railroads & Historical Society Inc. and copies of photographs by Charles S. Killebrew, Bugs Barringer and Johnnie Harper.

All events were recorded by Hill Matthews, photographer. To view the photos, go to the library’s Web site and click on Senior Fair Day Slideshow near the top right of the page.