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EAST ARCADIA – On a display hanging on a wall in the East Arcadia Senior Center there are some old photographs displayed that give one a glimpse into what life was like in the early days of the community.
The photographs depict life in East Arcadia from the 1940s and 1950s and were taken by Photographer Mack Munn. The Lower Bladen Columbus Historical Society and the UNC-Wilmington Public History Program teamed up to research the photos and create a traveling exhibit and other educational programs.
The building itself is unique in that it once served the community as a school. When asked how the community felt about the school, Dr. Delilah Blanks said, “They took advantage of it.”
She added the members of the community took pride in themselves and the community though times were often hard.
“They didn’t have indoor plumbing. They took baths on Saturday. They had big iron pots outside to heat the water with and they made their own lye soap. They believed in the church,” said Blanks.
She said in 2006 a movement took place to bring the garbage out of Myrtle Beach and some people wanted to convert the senior center site to a landfill.
“We had to do some work to keep that thing from coming here,” said Blanks.
The senior center offers the community several programs. They include but are not limited to serving as a nutrition site; lunches are served Monday through Friday at 11 a.m.; they can play games, watch movies and take part in other activities.
Blanks said that food is prepared off site and brought to the senior center each day. A grant also provides personal hygiene items and food.
Blanks said the senior center recently experienced the passing of three of its members.
She added that she takes seriously her role as an advocate for the community.
Blanks said, “I try to be an advocate. I believe in our Bladen County people. We try to take what little we do have and make the most out of it.”
Blanks public service does not there.
She said, “I taught at UNC Wilmington for 22 years. I started the social work program over there. When I started there was only one program. It has really grown. It’s internationally recognized. I recruit for Chapel Hill.”
Blanks has a Masters degree in Social Work and doctoral degree from UNC Chapel Hill in Health Education.
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