Bell dreams of Eden

Published 7:11 pm Friday, March 9, 2012

By Mike Voss

Editor’s note: Fifty Plus is a weekly feature that provides a look at area senior citizens, their accomplishments and their life experiences. Fifty Plus prospects are asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning their lives.

This week’s Fifty Plus takes a look at Janice Fox Bell, a retiree who lives in Washington.

Where are you from originally?

Eden.

When did you move here? Why?

February 1967. My husband got a new job at what is now PotashCorp Aurora.

To what clubs/church do you belong?

Faith Free Will Baptist Church.

Education (list schools, starting with high school)

Attended Warwick High School, Newport News, Va., graduated from York High School, Yorktown, Va.

If you weren’t doing what you are doing now, what would you be doing?

I’d still be volunteering Mondays through Fridays, helping my youngest daughter’s art teacher, Elizabeth Propst. It’s a rewarding time.

If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

Tithe a tenth. Buy my daughter and son-in-law whatever they want. Fix up my home. Buy me a new car. Help unfortunate people.

What is the thing most people don’t know about you?

That my brothers and sisters are half brothers and sisters, raised by my mom and stepfather.

What is your favorite food?

Fried, boneless pork chops.

What’s the last book you read?

The Bible, everyday.

What is your favorite TV show?

“Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.”

Where would you go on your dream vacation?

I’m a homebody. I would love to spend time with my relatives in Eden.

What is your pet peeve?

People saying they will be somewhere on time, but they never are on time.

What’s the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you?

Treat everyone as you wanted to be treated and you will be loved by all and have many friends.

What’s the biggest difference between life as a senior as opposed to below age 30?

Because of bad health, my life and activities are limited. When I was younger, I worked full-time and was a good wife and mother, doing things with the family and cooked good meals every day.

Compiled by Mike Voss

About Mike Voss

Mike Voss is the contributing editor at the Washington Daily News. He has a daughter and four grandchildren. Except for nearly six years he worked at the Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va., in the early to mid-1990s, he has been at the Daily News since April 1986.
Journalism awards:
• Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Public Service, 1990.
• Society of Professional Journalists: Sigma Delta Chi Award, Bronze Medallion.
• Associated Press Managing Editors’ Public Service Award.
• Investigative Reporters & Editors’ Award.
• North Carolina Press Association, First Place, Public Service Award, 1989.
• North Carolina Press Association, Second Place, Investigative Reporting, 1990.
All those were for the articles he and Betty Gray wrote about the city’s contaminated water system in 1989-1990.
• North Carolina Press Association, First Place, Investigative Reporting, 1991.
• North Carolina Press Association, Third Place, General News Reporting, 2005.
• North Carolina Press Association, Second Place, Lighter Columns, 2006.
Recently learned he will receive another award.
• North Carolina Press Association, First Place, Lighter Columns, 2010.
4. Lectured at or served on seminar panels at journalism schools at UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Maryland, Columbia University, Mary Washington University and Francis Marion University.

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