WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

Enthusiasm was prominent as members of District 5 of the N.C Association of Senior Citizens Clubs strutted down the red carpet to show off their fashionable attire at the Age of Elegance Fashion and Talent Showcase on Thursday, April 25. Members of Carver, Good Neighbor, Happy Hill and Skyland Senior Citizens Clubs modeled fashions for church wear, after five, casual and beach wear at the showcase held at Rupert Bell Recreation Center.

Larn Dillard kept the models moving along with running commentary about their bios and fashion descriptions. She stopped briefly to announce that she had just received a text that there was a special guest in the house and then “Lenny Williams” stepped out to sing to the delight of the audience. Later it was revealed that Vernon Hobson played a very believable Lenny Williams.

Models for the showcase were: Loretta Jackson, Angie Burton, Mary Willis, Michelle Feggins, Vernice Sawyer, Maxine Long, Sabrina Newman, and Vernell Taylor. In between sets, members were selected to read poetry and a story to give models time to change. As the themes changed from church wear to after five, then to casual, the models became more lively and spirited and the audience of over 50 women loved it.

At the end of the showcase, the officers of District 5 were introduced: President Gloria Hobson, Vice President Carrie Bardwell, Secretary Juanita Pitts, Assistant Secretary Mary Willis, Treasurer Mary Douthit, Assistant Treasurer Annie Campbell and Parliamentarian Larn Dillard. Beverly Ligons is the district advisor.

Special guest Councilwoman Annette Scippio spoke briefly, saying, “What a beautiful event! It is heartwarming to see that none of you have decided to sit down … you have so much more to go as long as you have breath.”

Scippio promised to attend the event next year as a model and encouraged the seniors to “stay active and stay vibrant” and noted that “our young people need us.”