Seniors celebrate melons

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: July 8, 2009

MORGANTON - Although it isn't December, Santa Claus may make an appearance at 1 p.m. Friday at the Morganton-Burke Senior Center's melon festival. At least he will in melon form.
Program Coordinator Amanda Clarke said the festival highlights a variety of melons, which has included the Santa Claus melon in the past.
A Santa Claus melon is oblong with a thick green-striped rind and a pale green inner pulp. It has a mild melon flavor.
Clarke said the center had eight to 10 different varieties for seniors to taste last year including casaba (a pale yellow melon with white flesh that is sweet), watermelon, honey dew and cantaloupe.
Festival activities encourage participants to indulge in tasting the melon varieties, but games also include trivia and a seed spitting contest, Clarke said.
Interested participants must RSVP by Thursday for the event. For more information or to reserve a spot contact the Morganton-Burke Senior Center at 430-4147.