Triangle area seniors enjoy a annual holiday tradition – the Golden Years Holiday Celebration in downtown Raleigh. |
Seniors from all over the Triangle got an earful of holiday cheer as Capitol Broadcasting Company and Raleigh Parks & Recreation put on their 49th Annual Golden Years Holiday Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The event took place at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh at 10am.
Between 900-1,000 seniors arrived by the busload to enjoy a morning of musical entertainment. After milling around in the lobby for breakfast fare, the seniors moved into Meymandi Concert Hall.
This senior is decked with holiday cheer. |
Each attendee receives a basket of goodies after the program. |
These ladies enjoy another year of their favorite holiday performances. |
Soprano Rozlyn Sorrell kicked off the festivities singing “The Lord’s Prayer” for the invocation. The Star Strutters, senior dancers, kicked up their heels along with songs from Joyce Hawley and Friends. The ever-popular crooner Bill Stonehouse returned to the Golden Years stage for a few tunes. Back for the first time in several years, the Casablanca Orchestra put the perfect cap on the morning.
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan & Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel reprised their roles as emcees for the annual event.
WRAL-TV’s Dona Anderson (left) & CBC’s Paul Pope put together the Golden Years Holiday program each year. |
Santa hats and holiday colors make the celebration brighter. |
Miniature poinsettias adorn the gift baskets for each senior at the event. |
Almost 1,000 seniors attend the 2006 Golden Years Holiday celebration. |
The Golden Years Clubs include a network of seniors from across the Triangle and are organized by Raleigh Parks & Rec. The individual clubs offer their own programs, trips and classes specialized for the needs and wants of each group. These clubs are comprised of persons “55 and better.”
Seniors leave the Golden Years Holiday performances filled with the Christmas spirit. |
Stay tuned to capcom for a gallery of more photos from the 2006 Golden Years Holiday Celebration.
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Next year CBC will celebrate the 50th Annual Golden Years Holiday Celebration. Program coordinators WRAL-TV Associate Producer Dona Anderson & CBC VP of Community Relations Paul Pope have already begun planning the anniversary celebration. Then in 2008, the event will return to its usual home, the Raleigh Convention Center. Because of demolition and construction on the site, the event has found a temporary home across the street at the Progress Energy Center.
Thanks to Corp’s Paul Pope for some of these capcom photos.
A scrumptious breakfast buffet greets in the Golden Years guests in the lobby. |
The day was sunny & bright, if bitter cold. |
The seniors enjoy brunch before entering the concert hall for the music. |
