Mary C. Cooper
George N. Haynes
Ruby U. McGuire
Robert A. Woodall
BASKET WEAVER Ed Gilley (second from left) teaches the “lost art” to Fieldcrest retirees Rosa Cox, Elizabeth
Webster, Peg Adkins, Pearl Reed, Mae Austin and Charles Hopkins (not from Fieldcrest).
Fieldcrest Retiree Teaches Art Of Basket Weaving
Weaving may come naturally for many Fieldcrest retirees but several in
the Eden area recently learned some new weaving skills. Weaving baskets
is not like work, “it’s a real good pastime,” says Ed Gilley, a retiree of the
Blanket Greige Mill. And he claims former weavers from mills turn out won
derful baskets.
Gilley has been weaving baskets for quite a while and now he’s teaching
the craft to others in a 30-hour course through Rockingham Community Col
lege. “We’re trying to reach all the senior citizens in the area (Rockingham
County, N.C.) and let them know about it,” he said recently. “There may be
a new night class starting in the Fall at the community college and anyone
interested should call the Continuing Education Department there.” Registra
tion fee is $5 for people under 65 years and no charge for those over 65.
There is also a $5 materials fee.
• Gilley learned the craft from a friend who got his materials from going
to the woods and cutting splits (thin pieces of pliable fiber in various widths)
from a small white oak but Gilley now uses vine-like cane splits because
they are easier to get.
"There is one basic basket not found anywhere around and that is the
‘Gizzard basket' and that’s what I teach,” he says. “Basket weaving is a lost
art and I’m well paid by the satisfaction of seeing how others enjoy it.”
WEAVING a gizzard basket is a
skillful pasttime for Pearl Reed.
Senior Citizens' Activities
A special salute during May,
National Senior Citizen’s Month, to
all of Fieldcrest’s retired em
ployees, both those who retired ef
fective May 1, and those previously
retired at allTocations.
Listed below are programs and
services available for senior citizens
in various Fieldcrest plant locations.
Columbus - Phenix City area -
Coming up are a Senior Ms. Pageant
and an award program for “Out
standing Senior Citizen.” For infor
mation, call Jack Mickle, Jr., Lower
Chattahoochie Valley Planning and
Development Commission, 324-4221.
Stokesdale area- Senior Citizens’
Dinner Club meets on the third Wed
nesday of each month at the Stokes
dale United Methodist Church, 10:30
a. m., bring a covered dish. For in
formation, call Rev. I. T. Rutledge,
643^289.
Eden Area - Senior Qtizen’s Day,
May 31, 1 p. m., Rockingham Com
munity College, sponsored by the
Council on Aging and Recreation
Departments of Eden, Reidsville
and Madison-Mayodan. For infor
mation, call 349-2343 or 427-4206.
Theme will be “Roaring 20’s”.
Events will include special enter
tainment, costume parades, con
tests including Charleston contest,
games, prizes, refreshments,
agency information booths and dis
plays. Blood pressure checks and
hearing tests will also be available.
Transportation for Rockingham
County residents, 60 or older, who
need rides for doctor appointments,
grocery shopping, etc. Transporta
tion is available five days a week,
Monday through Friday, 8 a. m. to
4:30 p. m. Call the Council on Aging
office, 349-2343 or 427-4206 at least 24
hours before transportation is need
ed.
“Wise Old Owl”, quarterly
publication for Rockingham County
senior citizens, free, become a sub
scriber by calling Patty Clark, 349-
2343 or 427-4206.
County-Wide Nutrition Program,
call Sara Matthews, 349-2343 or 427-
4206.
Greenville area - Pitt County
Council on Aging, provides infor
mation on local programs for senior
citizens as well as transportation.
Call 752-1717.
Pitt County Senior Citizen’s As
sociation, president, Mrs. Elizabeth
Savage, 756-4867.
American Association for Retired
People, president, Pete Anderson,
Farmville, call 753-4411.
Greenville Senior Citizens Center,
Call Lesley Ball, 752-4137. Programs
include schedule activities such as
yoga, crafts, swimming, cards,
(Continued On Page Seven)
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Ay, may 22, 1978