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.
 View the Slideshow |
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. |
