The Down East Seniors Club held their Aug. 6 meeting at the Blind Center of NC in Washington. President John Tunstall led the meeting. Ed Sample led the singing of “God Bless America” and Durwood Cratch gave the invocation. Dick Paul provided humor.

Program Chairman Bob Byrum introduced Ray Midgett who presented a program about the storm-warning tower on the Washington waterfront. In the mid-1800s the Smithsonian Institution collected weather observations from volunteers around the country. In 1871, the federal government started collecting weather data and making forecasts. These forecasts were sent by telegraph to post offices around the country to be displayed. In 1881 signal flags displayed over the post offices replaced the forecasts posted inside. By 1886, flag towers were erected around the country. The local flag tower is estimated to have been built around 1900. Washington’s first weatherman, Dr. James Gallagher, and his wife Mary displayed the flags on the tower. After Mrs. Gallagher’s death Lossie Waters became the displayman. The Weather Service discontinued the display of flags in 1989. The City of Washington gained ownership of the tower in 2013 and moved it to its present location outside the NC Estuarium to preserve as an historical treasure. Mr. Midgett currently displays the flags as a volunteer.

Cam Padgett won the 50/50 drawing.