The Down East Seniors Club held its Jan. 3 meeting at the Blind Center of North Carolina in Washington. President Chip Ide led the meeting. Jim Hackney played for the singing of “God Bless America,” and Charles Smith gave the invocation. Ed Hamrick read factoids for the date in history and Dick Paul provided humor.

There was one guest present.

Ide reminded the members that quarterly dues are now due.

Member Dr. Phillip Ninan spoke about sleep. Ninan, a retired psychiatrist, said that people average sleeping about one-third the time, or eight hours a day. Sleep is necessary for good health, not just for rest but also for brain health. During deep sleep the brain transmits short-term memories to long-term memories. It is believed that dreams are involved in this process. While a person is awake, the brain engages in much metabolic activity which creates waste material. This waste material is cleared out during sleep, which is one reason a person feels refreshed after a good night’s sleep. Adequate physical and mental activity during the day help to promote good sleep. Sleep is also aided by keeping a regular schedule of times to go to bed and to get up.

Ed Hamrick won the 50/50 drawing.