• Brands
  • About
  • Life at CBC
  • Careers
  • News
  • Contact
Menu
  • Brands
  • About
  • Life at CBC
  • Careers
  • News
  • Contact
Search
Close

Golden Years Holiday Celebration Provides Morning of Fun for Raleigh Seniors

  • Andrea Osborne
  • December 16, 2011
  • News
See All News
Golden Years Holiday Celebration Provides Morning of Fun for Raleigh Seniors

Oakwood Waits
The Oakwood Waits start off the Golden Years Celebration with traditional Christmas carols.
slidesView the Slideshow

The annual Golden Years Holiday Celebration, sponsored by Capitol Broadcasting and the Raleigh Parks & Rec, kept the Christmas spirit warm and bright in downtown Raleigh on Thursday, December 15, 2011.   Seniors from the 48 Golden Years Clubs in Raleigh filled the Raleigh Convention Center for the 9am breakfast and following program.

WRAL-TV Anchors Debra Morgan and Gerald Owens returned as emcees this year while new WRAL-TV Anchor Jackie Hyland enjoyed her first time at the event.  Hyland interviewed several seniors in the crowd, while Morgan and Owens announced musical groups and drew for prizes.

Carmen Rayfield of Raleigh Parks & Rec presented 459 stockings to the Salvation Army.  Golden Years Clubs had worked to fill them to bring to the Celebration.  Attendees also brought coats and toys for WRAL-TV’s Coats for the Children Campaign.

Debra Morgan Gerald Owens
WRAL-TV Anchors Debra Morgan (above, left), Gerald Owens & Jackie Hyland prove to be popular dance partners at the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Jackie Hyland

“We’re still going strong and that’s what it’s all about,” Raleigh City Council Member Eugene Weeks told the crowd as he brought greetings from the Mayor.  He smiled as he proudly claimed himself a member of the senior group. 

“I tell you, don’t give up,” said Weeks, “because you’re just getting started, no matter your age.”

Musical guests The Oakwood Waits kicked off the entertainment with some traditional carols and audience sing-alongs.  The quintet Gospel Sensations provided the invocation with a rendition of The National Anthem.  Seniors also enjoyed dancing from the Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes, and tunes from sisters Eternal Praise. 

Casablanca Orchestra
The Casablanca Orchestra plays some tunes perfect for dancing.
Junior Rockettes
The Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes do some high kicking for the crowd.
Cardinal Singers
The Cardinal Singers get the crowd to sing along to “White Christmas.”
The Gospel Sensations
The Gospel Sensationsn share a few tunes.

The Cardinal Singers sang a song for WRAL-TV Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel, “White Christmas” after his favorite type of weather, as well as telling a joke worthy of the WRAL weatherman.  Ironically Fishel was at a conference learning more about severe weather; he is usually a fixture at the December event.

Jackie Hyland
WRAL-TV Anchor Jackie Hyland conducts interviews from the crowd, including Vince, who is celebrating his 83rd birthday.

The Casablanca Orchestra wrapped up the event with some big band music fit for dancing.  Seniors took to the dance floor, and the WRAL-TV anchors quickly became sought after partners.

WRAL-TV is putting together a “Golden Years Holiday Special” which will air on Saturday, December 24th at 7:30pm on WRAL.

 

2011 Golden Years Celebration

Seniors fill the Raleigh Convention Center for the annual Golden Years Celebration sponsored by CBC & Raleigh Parks & Rec on Thursday, December 15, 2011.
An array of vendors welcome the seniors as they arrive at the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
An array of vendors welcome the seniors as they arrive at the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
An array of vendors welcome the seniors as they arrive at the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Corp’s Rodney Collier and his CBC Property Management co-horts are the men behind the great decorations at the event.
Corp’s Jack Lamm (left) & WRAL-TV’s Loretta Harper-Arnold are ready for a fun morning.
WRAL-TV’s Jim Rothschild looks forward to the morning’s entertainment.
The morning begins with a warm breakfast served to the seniors at their tables.
The Oakwood Waits open the entertainment portion of the morning event.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
The Oakwood Waits sing some traditional carols.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Behind the scenes WRAL-TV Anchors Jackie Hyland (l to r), Debra Morgan & Gerald Owens get last minute instructions from WRAL-TV Producer Phyllis Parish (right).
The Oakwood Waits sing some traditional carols.
Seniors sing along with The Oakwood Waits.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
WRAL-TV Anchors Gerald Owens (l to r), Jackie Hyland & Debra Morgan welcome the crowd.
Raleigh City Council Member Eugene Weeks brings greetings from the Mayor’s Office.
Raleigh Parks’ Carmen Rayfield (right) makes a special presentation to the Salvation Army on behalf of the Golden Years Clubs.
The Gospel Sensations perform a rousing rendition of The National Anthem for the invocation.
WRAL-TV’s Debra Morgan works at her emcee duties.
WRAL-TV Anchor Jackie Hyland interviews senior Vince who is celebrating his 83rd birthday.
The Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes entertain the crowd with their dancing.
The Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes entertain the crowd with their dancing.
The Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes entertain the crowd with their dancing.
Eternal Praise, a quartet of sisters, sings a few Christmas songs for the crowd.
Eternal Praise, a quartet of sisters, sings a few Christmas songs for the crowd.
WRAL-TV Anchor Jackie Hyland interviews the director of the Lake Lynn Golden Years Club, which brought 70 members to the breakfast.
The Cardinal Singers delight the crowd with Christmas carols.
The Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes entertain the crowd with their dancing.
The Holly Springs High School Junior Rockettes entertain the crowd with their dancing.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
1,200 seniors fill the Raleigh Convention Center for the Golden Years Celebration.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
Seniors enjoy the 2011 Golden Years Celebration.
WRAL-TV Anchor Jackie Hyland interviews a veteran Marine who recently went on the Triangle Flight of Honor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
The Casablance Orchestra plays some big band music perfect for dancing.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
The Casablance Orchestra plays some big band music perfect for dancing.
Debbie Bennett sings “Let It Snow” with the Casablanca Orchestra.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
Seniors take to the dance floor.
WRAL-TV Anchor Debra Morgan takes a whirl on the dance floor.
WRAL-TV’s Debra Morgan gets an invitation to the dance floor.
WRAL-TV Anchor Gerald Owens shows off a few moves on the dance floor.
From emceeing to dancing, WRAL-TV’s Gerald Owens & Debra Morgan run the gamut at the 2011 Golden Years.
WRAL-TV Anchor Jackie Hyland also joins the fun on the dance floor.
PrevPreviousFOX 50 Launches Online Charity Auction to Benefit the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina!
NextFour CBC’ers Become Goodmon Fellows at Leadership Triangle GraduationNext
See All News

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company working for and serving the community.

Follow us online:

Twitter Linkedin
Search

Explore

  • Brands
  • About
  • Life at CBC
  • Careers
  • News
  • Contact
  • Brands
  • About
  • Life at CBC
  • Careers
  • News
  • Contact

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message.

2619 Western Blvd.
Raleigh, NC 27606

P: (919) 890-6000
F: (919) 890-6095

© Copyright 2023 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy Policy