The Down East Seniors Club held its Oct. 21 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President Stewart Rumley led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America” and Charlie Mike Smith gave the invocation. Dick Robinson and Dick Paul provided humor.

Ed Bolen presented his personal profile. He was born and grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He graduated from Orangeburg High School in 1965 then enrolled in Clemson University. In 1969, he graduated with a degree in industrial management and industrial engineering. He was enrolled in Air Force ROTC in college but enlisted in the Army National Guard after graduation. His first job was as an industrial engineer with Collins and Aikman in Roxboro, North Carolina. In 1973, he accepted a position with National Spinning, which brought him to Washington. He started here as an industrial engineer and later held several management positions with the company over the years. He retired in 2013 and stayed in Washington. His work led him to travel all over the U.S. and to several foreign countries. He is married to the former Donna Jackson from the Old Ford community, and they have three children and eight grandchildren.

Dick Robinson won the 50/50 drawing.