William Strand, who has been visiting the Pilgrim Senior Center for 30 years and took up painting as an activity that enabled him to work and be with friends, is the winner of the first-ever Cover Design Competition winner for the 2017 Pocket Manual and guide to services for seniors and adults. Strand’s painting of Roger Williams Park is on the cover of the 112-page booklet being made available at senior centers throughout the state and to state legislators. On Wednesday morning Mayor Scott Avedisian, Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs Director Charles Fogarty and Warwick’s Director of Senior Services, Meg Underwood, celebrated Strand’s achievement to celebrate William Strand as the first-ever Cover Design Competition winner for the 2017 Pocket Manual. Strand said he is a slow painter and especially enjoys the company of his visits to the center. Avedisian was proud of the achievement, saying, “Whenever there’s a first of anything we like to win.” Fogarty noted that Strand’s work appears on 20,000 copies of the manual, but depending on demand there could be a second printing. (Warwick Beacon photos)