The Garland Senior Center was recognized Monday by the Sampson County Board of Commissioners for its recent certification as a Senior Center of Excellence. The Garland Senior Center was awarded the distinction after successfully completing a rigorous certification review. The designation, which is valid for a five-year period, was earned by the center for the outstanding manner in which it provides for its older adult population. Pictured, from left, are: Garland Senior Center manager Marie Faircloth, Department of Aging director Lorie Sutton, Commissioner John Blanton and county board chairman Jefferson Strickland. Faircloth thanked her family, peers, co-workers and the board for their supporting and working with her to serve the older population. Commissioners praised her for doing just that. ‘When you started out, you said you were going to set this place on fire,’ Blanton told Faircloth, ‘and you have.’ Photo by Chris Berendt