History of the Golden Years Celebration

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People:
Debra Morgan, Employees, Partners ＆ Friends, Jim Goodmon, Paul Montgomery, Ray Wilkinson, Scottie Stephenson

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Golden Years Celebration

Every December, Capitol Broadcasting Company sponsors the Golden Years Holiday Celebration luncheon for the members of the Golden Years Association of the Raleigh (NC) Parks and Recreation Department. Held at the Raleigh Convention and Conference Center in the city’s downtown, the celebration attracts over 1,000 senior citizens each year.

The celebration started in 1958 under the leadership of CBC Corporate Secretary Scottie Stephenson. She continued to be the driving force behind the event every year until her death in 2002. She saw the event grow in attendance from 50 to 1,500 in her over four decades as coordinator. Fred Fletcher, the first General Manager at WRAL-TV, had an active role in the celebration as well, especially reprising the song “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”

The event includes a variety of musical entertainment and ends with the attendees pushing back their chairs and taking a turn on the dance floor. WRAL-TV news anchors host the program which began as a luncheon and converted to become a breakfast and morning event in 2005.

A portion of the annual event is televised on WRAL-TV on Christmas Day.

The Golden Years Association of the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department sponsors 48 Gold Years Clubs for senior adults aged 55 and older throughout the city. Clubs meet throughout the year and enjoy activities such as hiking, bowling, workshops, trips and a myriad of other activities and special events.

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More Highlights for Paul Montgomery

Throwback Thursday: Menconi Delves into the Music Behind WRAL Legend Uncle Paul

David Menconi recently penned a piece about Triangle legend Paul Montgomery, known familiarly as Uncle Paul, for Walter Magazine. Montgomery hosted the beloved WRAL-TV children’s program “Time for Uncle Paul” from 1961 to 1981. Menconi has a Capitol Broadcasting tie
Sally Blackwell from Uncle Paul Show

Blackwell assisted Paul Montgomery with childrens program. This photo from February 1966.
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WRAL legend Uncle Paul Montgomery leads his jazz quartet at festival in July 1959
Fred Fletcher sings My Two Front Teeth

Fred Fletcher, son of A.J. Fletcher – founder of Capitol Broadcasting Company, served as WRAL-TV’s first general manager. Fred was known as an entertainer and savvy broadcaster. After his retirement, Fred still loved to entertain an audience. Here Fred and jazz pianist Paul Montgomery, also known to viewers as “Uncle Paul,” perform the Christmas classic “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.” The venue is the annual Golden Years gathering, sometimes known as Golden Agers, that was held in downtown Raleigh.
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Dating as far back as 1959, WRAL has been a part of the Raleigh Christmas Parade. Check out this picture (left) of the WRAL float as it eases down the parade route. Seated up front is Paul Montgomery, better known

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History of the Golden Years Celebration

More Highlights for Paul Montgomery

Throwback Thursday: Menconi Delves into the Music Behind WRAL Legend Uncle Paul

Sally Blackwell from Uncle Paul Show

Paul Montgomery at jazz festival

Fred Fletcher sings My Two Front Teeth

Tis the Season for Parades

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