DOWN EAST SENIORS CLUB

The Down East Seniors Club held its Sept. 23 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. Vice President Ed Hamrick led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America” and Mike Gwynn gave the invocation. Dick Robinson and Dick Paul provided humor.

Chip Laughinghouse, new executive director of the Blind Center, introduced himself to the club and offered tickets for sale for the Blind Center’s upcoming fundraiser “Dining in the Dark.”

Rudy Burns introduced Mike Wyness as the guest speaker. Wyness, a visitor from England, spoke about his experience as a “boy soldier.” In England, each branch of the military service operates a school which boys ages 15 to 18 can voluntarily attend. The school provides the schooling a boy that age would normally receive, training in military discipline and training in an occupational skill. Wyness chose music for his skill. He received training playing woodwind instruments and played in the school band. Upon graduation from the school, he moved into the regular Army where he continued playing in a military band. He was a member of the Royal Fusiliers stationed in the Tower of London. Upon discharge from the Army, he gained employment as a music teacher in a school. Wyness answered many questions about life and conditions in the United Kingdom.

Bob Diefendorf won the 50/50 drawing.