Wilsonians understand there’s more to life than work. In that regard expect the unexpected in Wilson. Here’s just a short list of possibilities:
• Attend a play or live presentation at the 650-seat Edna Earl Boykin Performing Arts Center that is a loving restoration of a 1919 Vaudeville Theatre.
• Try the hands-on exhibits at Imagination Station, a science museum primarily for children, but which allows adults to have fun, too.
• Shop at antique stores that attract buyers from throughout the world.
• Visit the outdoor Whirligig gallery of Vollis Simpson, nationally known folk artist. It’s guaranteed you’ve never seen anything like it.
• Join 20,000 people at the annual Whirligig Festival, which has featured such artists as Doc Watson plus crafts and art from all along the East Coast.
• Learn about African American history in the Round House Museum, a unique stone house built by craftsman Oliver Nestus Freeman.
• Savor nationally known pork barbeque and Brunswick stew, fresh shrimp from the coast, or gourmet cuisine at Wilson’s eclectic mix of restaurants.
• Take the kids to swim practice at the city’s covered Olympic sized pool.
• Ride the train at Recreation Park Community Center.
• Attend a concert of the Barton College Wilson Symphony.
• Pick out a unique gift at one of the area’s specialty shops.
• Root for the home team Wilson Tobs at Fleming Stadium. While there visit the North Carolina Baseball Museum, featuring memorabilia of such North Carolina greats as Catfish Hunter, Enos
Slaughter and Gaylord Perry.
• Pack a bag for a day trip or a long weekend at North Carolina’s beautiful beaches, less than two hours away.
• Take to the great outdoors for hiking, fishing, hunting or golf.
• Tour the beautiful spring gardens featuring azaleas, dogwoods and tulips.
• Avoid the highway traffic; take the train to downtown Washington, D.C.
• Take a class at Barton College or Wilson Community College.
• Catch a Broadway road show, symphony or go museum hopping in Raleigh.
• Listen to the inspiring performance of the Wilson Chorale.
• Coach some of the 1,400 youngsters in the city’s soccer program at the newly constructed Gillette Athletic Complex.
• Join a softball team.
• Volunteer.
• Enjoy art classes and seniors exercise programs. It’s a combination that will give you the fulfillment which comes with living in a comfortable sized community on the edge of a major metropolitan area. It’s life the way it’s supposed to be.