North Carolina Senior Games
The Senior
Carrying the Flame of Good Health
The Official Newsletter of NCSG, Inc.
Torch
SUMMER 2017
Many GREAT Accomplishments at Local Games!
The Spirit of Senior Games came alive as friends, family, and volunteers assembled together for
the 53 Local Games this spring! The North Carolina Senior Games year-round program of “Fun,
Fitness, Family, Fellowship, and Friends” represented itself all across the state as persons 50
and better gathered to participate in over 70 different events in athletics and SilverArts. We’re
proud of individual and team achievements and are inspired by our participants' active
lifestyles!
Send us your photos from Local Games and we
will share them on our Photo Gallery or on the
NC Senior Games Facebook Page!
Local Game Results are now on the website! Visit
the Local Games page on our website to see
results from YOUR Local Game!
Spirit Club Highlight-Rita Roy
Rita Roy has long been a part of the fabric of North Carolina Senior Games, first as a
student volunteer then professional volunteer, Local Coordinator, Events Director for
Local Games and State Finals, contributor, NCSG Board member, and now also as a
participant. Rita first got involved with Senior Games in 1985 when she was doing a
practicum for class in Greenville, NC. When a Senior Games participant asked Rita to coach
her on her swim diving technique, Rita said yes and her outlook on “old age” changed
completely. Watching this woman work hard and be active later in life sparked Rita’s love for Senior Games.
In fact, she says Senior Games is her “favorite part of her entire career.” Since then she has been a constant
part of Senior Games, starting the Four Seasons Senior Games as part of an internship in 1987 and even
attending the very first National Senior Games as a student.
Rita played basketball in college and enjoys the “physical fitness, the camaraderie, and working with a team.”
She has also refereed basketball for 30 years and coached the first men and women’s softball teams at
Greenville-Pitt Senior Games. After running the State Finals Basketball Tournament since its inception, Rita
changed roles and became a basketball participant three years ago. She participated in her second National
Senior Games tournament in 2017.
Rita continues to be an integral part of Senior Games as a contributor, Board member, Local and State Finals
staff member and participant. Rita truly embodies the Spirit of Senior Games and shares that Spirit with
others with her time, resources and heart!
30 Champions of the Games
The National Senior Games has named it “30 Champions of the
Games”, and North Carolina’s own Margot Raynor has been named one of
the nation’s most influential champions of “healthy aging.” Margot founded
North Carolina Senior Games in 1983, and was a founding board member of
the U.S. National Senior Sports Classic (National Senior Games) in 1985. She
has been a champion of Senior Games and healthy aging for many years.
Thank you for all you have done for Senior Games and congratulations on this honor, Margot! For more information on
the “30 Champions of the Games”, visit nsga.com/30champions.
4603 Western Blvd, Raleigh NC 27606
(919) 851-5456
www.ncseniorgames.org
Greetings from the NCSG President
Brad Allen
“It’s About THE DOING!”
North Carolina Senior Games
Inc. is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to providing
year-round health promotion
and education for adults
50 years of age and better.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Louise Gooche, Chair
Alice Keene, Vice-Chair
Rita Roy, Vice-Chair
Tracy Honeycutt, Secretary
Betty Rising, Treasurer
Lisa Johnson, Past Chair
MEMBERS
Jackie Allison, Youngsville
Larry Bailey, Clayton
Scott Barnard, Goldsboro
Sue Bent, Murphy
Mary Bethel, Fuquay-Varina
Tina Boston, High Point
Mary Henderson, Cary
Lee Perry, Manteo
Keron Poteat, Boone
Brandi Rheubottom, Manteo
Dennis Streets, Pittsboro
Dick Taylor, Lumberton
Beth Wilson, Wilmington
EX-OFFICIO BOARD
Audrey Edmisten, Raleigh
Doug McRainey, Cary
Annette Moore, Raleigh
Diane Sauer, Raleigh
Michelle Wells, Raleigh
HONORARY BOARD
Joan Debruin, West End
Ray Funkhouser, White Stone, Va
Waltye Rasulala, Cary
NCSG STAFF
President/Executive Director
Brad Allen
Associate Director
Lynn Harrell
Sports & IT Coordinator
Hugh Autry
Administrative Coordinator
Sandra Manning
Program Coordinator
Lauren Presley
Special Projects Consultant
Margot Raynor
The Senior Torch is an official
publication of North Carolina
Senior Games, Inc. It is
published in the spring,
summer and winter.
It has been another wonderful Spring, as again this year, I had the honor of
visiting a number of Local Games and again came away from each time
spent with our Senior Games participants to be inspiring and motivating.
While visiting the Cherokee-Clay County Senior Games in the far western part of the state,
there was a special recognition for a participant whose perseverance had truly paid off –
after eighteen (18) years of competing at State Finals, he won a medal in year number
nineteen (19) in 2016. While that was a terrific achievement, his response to the
recognition resonated deeply with everyone. He stated firmly that, “It’s not the winning –
it’s THE DOING!” And, of course, he’s right! Senior Games is about maintaining a healthy
active lifestyle through athletics, the SilverArts, the SilverStriders walking program,
cheerleading and so much more! If the mind, body and spirit are well, then whether a
medal is won is just not critical. What a great reminder!
And there was much DOING as I visited our Local Games:
 The Durham Senior Games welcomed eighty-five (85!) new participants this year. This is
truly a great achievement and demonstrates that the Ambassadors and staff there are
DOING a wonderful job of spreading the message about Healthy Aging!
 Both Carteret County and Johnston County Senior Games celebrated the 30th
anniversary of their Local Games this year. These programs have become an integral
part of the lives of their communities and have been DOING things the right way for
three decades now. Congratulations!
 The Mid-Carolina Senior Games again found a home at Fort Bragg, continuing a
partnership that allows many generations of residents to interact in a positive way and
to honor the service provided to their larger community. DOING for others is a major
attribute of this Local Games.
 I was excited to see the excellent work that hundreds of SilverArtists are DOING through
the Heritage, Visual, Literary and Performing Arts and Cheerleaders. From the Scotland
County Senior Games to Albemarle to Davie County to Durham to Cherokee-Clay – in
fact, in all the picturesque towns and cities I visited – the SilverArts continued to “shine
through” as a jewel in the Senior Games program!
 The Unifour Senior Games in the greater Hickory area remained the largest Local Games
in the state, as participants from all across their region get up, get moving and are
DOING what it takes to stay active!
Thanks to every participant, volunteer, contributor and staff person – what you are DOING
makes Senior Games in North Carolina the best it can be. Keep up
the great work!!
Please send any comments or
suggestions to:
NCSG
4603 Western Blvd
Raleigh, NC 27606
[email protected]
YOU Can be Part of the
Excitement of State Finals!
Game On! One step beyond Local Games is State
Finals! State Finals brings together the "best of the
best" from our 53 Local Games. More than 3000
athletes and SilverArtists participate every year as they compete to win medals and strive
to live healthier, happier lives! Be involved in the camaraderie, friendships, and
memories that are made here. State Finals are held in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Clayton,
Concord, Clemmons, and Greenville. If you are planning to be part of the fun as a
registered participant, remember the deadline is August 1st!
More than 900 volunteers are needed to help with all 71
activities. State Finals is better together, so invite your friends and
family to come with you! We would love to have you as part of our
State Finals team! There are a variety of ways to get involved and
make an impact. All the details are under the “Volunteers” section
on our website.
Visit www.ncseniorgames.org for much more information.
Keep the Torch Burning
Thank You Spirit Club, Friends & Torch
Club Members
In Memory of:
Alma Kelly
Brad & Twilla Allen
Jane Smith
Lynn Harrell
Louise Gooche
Betty & Leroy Rising
Lisa Johnson
Alice Keene
Beth Wilson
Margot Raynor
Reginald Moss
Lynn Harrell
Cheryl Gay
Margot Raynor
Beth Wilson
Louise Gooche
Alice Keene
Patti Sheriff
Lynn Harrell
NCSG Board of
Directors
Brad and Twilla Allen
Nell Wise
Fred Wise
Theresa Hall
Louise Gooche
We appreciate you helping us carry the torch each year! A contribution to NC Senior
Games helps spread the good news of healthy aging throughout North Carolina! All
Contributors are listed on the “Meet our Team” page of the website. Make your taxdeductible contribution to good health and wellness today on our secure website
www.ncseniorgames.org or send your check or money order to: NCSG at 4603
Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606. We thank YOU, for all your help keeping the torch
Spirit Club
Gold ($1,000+)
2017 CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
February-June
53 Local Senior Games
Statewide
July 1
State Finals Early Bird
Registration Deadline
August 1
Registration Deadline for
State Finals
August 30-31
State Finals Golf
Tournament, Clemmons
September 18-24
NCSG State Finals,
Raleigh/Cary/Durham
October 3-4
State Finals Bocce &
Cornhole Tournaments,
Clayton
Brad & Twilla Allen, Lumberton
Lawrence Bradbury, Knightdale
Lisa Johnson, Fuquay Varina
Rita Roy, Greenville
Greenvile-Pitt County Sr Games, Greenville
Beth Wilson, Wilmington
Silver($500+)
Alice Keene, Greenville
Marvin Maddox, Cary
Nancy Mize, Ayden
Brandi Rheubottom, Kill Devil Hills
Harry & Lila Schiffman, Manteo
Mid-Carolina Sr Games, Fayetteville
Fred Wise, Spring Lake
Bronze ($250+)
Betty Allgood, Winston Salem
Fran Allison, Kinston
Jackie Allison, Youngsville
Edith Bailey, Winston Salem
Beth Carrin, Boone
Annette Crumpton, Wilmington
Joan DeBruin, Cary
Ashe Services for Aging, West Jefferson
Louise Gooche, Durham
Linda Leighty, Greenville
Judy Moss, Tarboro
Betty & Leroy Rising, Lumberton
Gene & Ginny Ross, Harvest, AL
Iredell Sr Games, Mooresville
Yadkin Valley Sr Games, Dobson
Many thanks to those individuals who
make their contribution through the
State Employees Combined Campaign.
Many thanks to the following people who have contributed to our good
health since the last newsletter:
Torch Club
Friends
($100 - 249)
($25 - 99)
Ed Nelson, Emerald Isle
Jerry Parchman, Wilmington
Jeannie Pegram, Garner
David Portney, Southport
Ed Neal, Fayetteville
Reva Terrell, Burlington
Gerninger Family, Sturgeon Bay, WI
October 9-12
State Finals Softball
Tournament, Cary
October 17-19
State Finals Pickleball
Tournament, Concord
October 27-29
State Finals Basketball
Tournament, Greenville
Roger Coleman, Edenton
Richard Gray, Washington
Barbara Jo Godwin, Kenly
Sarah Blanchard, Raleigh
Billy Stevens, Four Oaks
Dale Ostrander, Elon
Jiri Prazma, Chapel Hill
Marty Fork, Raleigh
Vicki Howell, Statesville
Dan Burns, Cary
Pamela Werstlein, Jamestown
Ginter Vurlicer, Clayton
Thomas McMenimen, Winston
Salem
Tom McCutchen, Cary
Bill Stevens, Burlington
Carolyn Gillam, Harrellsville
Al Urban, Rutherfordton
Dick Bailey, Raleigh
David Hart, Raleigh
Melanie Passmore, Stony Point
Steve & Berny Berendes, Sparta,
WI
Ruby Biering, La Crosse, WI
National Senior Games
Congratulations to our 2017 National Senior Games participants! The
2017 National Senior Games were held in Birmingham, Alabama
June 2-15, 2017. The 20-sport, biennial championship brought
together participants from around the country in a celebration of
healthy and active lifestyles. Participants from all across North
Carolina brought home a total of 73 gold, 83 silver, and 109 bronze
medals. A list of nationals participants from North Carolina can be
found on our website.
Thanks to our Major Sponsors!
For information on how you
can join our Senior Games
Family,
contact NCSG at (919) 8515456 or visit our website at
www.ncseniorgames.org.
4603 Western Blvd, Raleigh NC 27606
(919) 851-5456
www.ncseniorgames.org