The Down East Seniors Club held its Dec. 7 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President Ed Hamrick led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America” and for the singing of “America the Beautiful,” led by Charles Smith, in honor of Pearl Harbor Day. Dick Paul provided humor.

Stewart Rumley reminded the club of the Dec. 21 Christmas party at 6 p.m. He asked members to pay $25 per person and select menu items from the list he passed out.

Hamrick introduced Bartow Houston as the speaker. Since Houston is a native of Washington, he had many stories to tell of his experiences growing up here. He participated in football and track in high school, so he had several Choppy Wagner stories to tell. He was too young to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor, but his military service gave him many experiences to tell about. Later, he taught and coached at Manteo High School. While he lived in Manteo, he became acquainted with Andy Griffith. He also related the experience of being invited to attend a meeting of business leaders at the White House where he got to see President Jimmy Carter.

Sam Price won the 50/50 drawing.