Triangle Seniors Celebrate the Holidays with CBC
Area seniors don their holiday best for the annual Golden Years Celebration. |
Capitol Broadcasting and the Raleigh Parks & Recreation Department treated Triangle seniors to a morning of fellowship and festive fun on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. This year the Golden Years Celebration returned to its home in the Raleigh Convention Center, albeit a much fancier and more architecturally amazing one.
Members of the 46 Golden Years Clubs in attendance gathered for breakfast before the annual program. Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker greeted the crowd telling them they were the largest sit-down meal at the Convention Center so far. The group totaled about 1,200.
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Seniors dance the morning away to the sounds of the Casablanca Orchestra. |
WRAL-TV Anchors Debra Morgan & Gerald Owens emceed the 51st celebration, which is sponsored by Capitol Broadcasting Company & the Raleigh Parks & Recreation Department.
“The room looked and felt like a giant Christmas card,” said Owens. “So warm, so festive. It’s no wonder our seniors enjoy it so much. It was my first time, and hopefully won’t be my last.”
Former CBC’er Waltye Rasulala sang a rendition of “Ave Maria” for the invocation; she is a crowd favorite and has performed at many past Celebrations. Then the Embers brought their beach music sound to Christmas tunes with an entertaining performance. Characters such as Dean Martin & Johnny Carson made “guest” appearances during their Christmas show.
Debbie Bennett and the Casablanca Orchestra then took the stage with their big band sound. Seniors converged on the dance floor to swing for the rest of the morning.
WRAL-TV’s Debra Morgan (left) & Gerald Owens emcee the event. |
Seniors take to the dance floor, an annual Golden Years Celebration tradition. |
Seniors enjoy breakfast before the musical program. |
Debbie Bennett sings along with the swingin’ tunes of the Casablanca Orchestra. |
51st Annual Golden Years Celebration
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About 1,200 Triangle seniors converge on the Raleigh Convention Center for the 51st Annual Golden Years Celebration on Dec 9th.
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WRAL-TV's Dona Anderson (left) goes over last minute program details with WRAL-TV's Debra Morgan, co-emcee of the event.
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Golden Years members are happy to catch up with their friends at the large event.
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These ladies eagerly await the start of the program.
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These ladies are festive in their golden hats.
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Golden Years club members enjoy breakfast & conversation.
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Santa hats abound as attendees get into the spirit.
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WRAL-TV's Debra Morgan (left) & Gerald Owens emcee the festive event.
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Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker welcomes the seniors to the brand new Convention Center.
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The Casablanca Orchestra waits backstage for their turn in front of the crowd.
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Waltye Rasulala offers up a stirring invocation.
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Rec Program Director Steve White (right) presents children's stockings the seniors put together for the Salvation Army.
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The Embers take the stage for an entertaining Christmas show.
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Seniors clap to the beat of the Embers.
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The seniors remember the good ol' days with the sounds of the Embers.
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The CBC Property Management staff, (r to l) Tim Grissom, Rodney Collier & Jack Lamm, are responsible for the beautiful Christmas decor for the event.
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WRAL-TV's John Cox captures Golden Years moments for the day's newscasts.
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Part of the Rat Pack makes an "appearance" during the show.
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Forty-six Golden Years Clubs brought members to the holiday event.
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Seniors are decked out for the holidays.
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WRAL-TV's Leah Chauncey (left) & David Gill show that even senior management can join hands for the holidays.
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WRAL-TV's Gerald Owens (r to l), ATC's Valerie Ward & the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle's Jill Bullard get into the spirit during the sing along.
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Debbie Bennett belts out a tune with the Casablanca Orchestra.
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The sax section gets into the swing of things.
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The years fade away as the dancing commences.
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Golden Years club members show off their dance moves.
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Seniors take to the dance floor as the Casablanca Orchestra gets toes tapping.
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Smiles abound as the dancers spin with the music.
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The seniors show off their best dance moves.
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Christmas cheer is aparent everywhere.
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The band strikes up the Irving Berlin tune "White Christmas."
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A slow song makes for a tender moment.
