Seniors shine in SilverArts

Clogged up Cloggers Carol Cody and Ginger Robinson-Taylor won the gold for the performing arts section of the Silver Arts. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salsibury Post.

Sang C. William French "Sixteen Tons" in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Janice Tinsley sang for the performing arts section of the Silver Arts. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salsibury Post.

Hazel Trexler-Campbell and Jane Steinberg performed for the performing arts section of the Silver Arts. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salsibury Post.

Lucky Stars perform in the Performing arts of the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Lucky Stars perform in the Performing arts of the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Terry Brewer's "School's Out" won a gold medal in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Clogged up Cloggers Carol Cody and Ginger Robinson-Taylor won the gold for the performing arts section of the Silver Arts. Photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salsibury Post.

Nancy Ceremuga won a gold medal in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Louise Rheem's tote won a gold medal in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Jack Jr. Bilson won a gold medal in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Janet Isenhour won a gold medal in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

Janie Allen's "Crocs" won a gold medal in pastels sub-category in the Silver Arts competition. photo by Jon C. Lakey, Salisbury Post.

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

About 10 years ago, a friend tried to teach Terry Brewer woodcarving. But he didn't have time to pick up a new hobby.

Now Brewer, a Granite Quarry native, is winning awards with the hobby he didn't have time for years ago.

Along with nearly 100 others, Brewer competed in the Salisbury/Rowan SilverArts competition this week. The event was held over three days at the Salisbury Civic Center and wrapped up Friday with judging and an awards ceremony.

SilverArts featured work from local residents that included arts, crafts, literary arts, sewing and performing arts as well as baked goods.

Brewer won a gold medal for his woodcarving, which depicted a group of fish perched on a log. The carving is coated in a stain to give it a glossy look. Brewer has received medals every year he's competed.

"I've won something the last four or five years," he said.

Brewer, a quiet fellow, says he does this work in his spare time, which he has more of since retiring.

"It's fantastic. It keeps everything going," he said of the event.

Brewer carves the images out of wood by hand. It took him 60 days to create his winning piece titled "School's Out."

He recalled how he learned woodcarving years ago. His friend would cut out the general shape and slowly Brewer would chip away at the wood until it resembled what he'd intended. His friend told Brewer a carving was done when you could close your eyes and feel the grooves of the wood with your fingers.

Barbara Bruce also won a silver medal. Hers came in the quilting competition. Her work, titled "Queens at the Beach," featured images of four women at the ocean. The women are Bruce and three friends.

Calling themselves the Quilting Queens, the friends get together and sew. The pattern of the four women is always on the quilts, but the scenes change, Bruce explained.

"We finished them last year," she said.

The Quilting Queens have named a character after themselves. Bruce is "Snowflake" she said.

No doubt the people of Rowan County have heard of Carol Cody and Ginger Robinson-Taylor. The two women make up the Clogged Up Cloggers.

The dancing duo entered into competition together about three years ago and have been taking home gold medals ever since. Each year, they come up with a different routine.

They also perform at different events around the county and throughout the state, Cody said.

"It's fun. I think it's something that's in your blood," Cody said.

"It's our reward, making others happy," Robinson-Taylor said.

Cody agreed.

"When other people smile, it feels good," she said.

"I'm amazed each year at the talent that walks into this room," said SilverArts coordinator Phyllis Kluttz-Loflin.

Kluttz-Loflin said she's also impressed with the judges who pick the winners.

"I would not want the responsibility of choosing," she said.

Judges began looking at work Thursday evening and finished six hours later.

Kluttz-Loflin said the judges use a magnifying glass when they survey the work. They look at the detailing and sometimes even count stitches on quilts.

Winners in this year's show will compete at the state level this fall.

Salisbury/Rowan Senior Games is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round health and wellness programs for adults 55 years of age and older. Senior Games and SilverArts is one of the 54 local competitions across the state.

This year's sponsors include Comfort Keepers, Genesis HealthCare, Humana MarketPoint, Magnolia Gardens and Oak Park Retirement. Judges for this year's competition were Dr. Jim Epperson, Dr. Karl Hales, Deal Safrit, Frank Selby, Debra Brazis, Patrice Gordon and Ann Miller.

This is a qualifying year for the National Senior Olympics to be held during the summer of 2011 in Texas. The deadline for team and individual sports is April 12.

For more information, contact Kluttz-Loflin at 704-216-7780 or www.rowanseniorgames.org.