With more than 1,000 years between them, 13 senior citizens at Hope Senior Apartments form a special group of select individuals that have one thing in common ? they are over 90 years old.
The ‘Over 90 Club? meets once a month in the apartment complex gathering room, and once they get there, the good times roll.
Members of the group include 94-year-old Arvilla Sheldon, 92-year-old Catherine Taipalus, 96-year-old Mary Bellairs, 98-year-old Angie Paraskevas, 94-year-old Margaret Oswald, 91-year-old Jenny Goodall, 91-year-old Theda Parrish Gragg, 90-year-old Catherine McGlashen, 91-year-old Marie-Kastelic, 93-year-old Hank Nichols, 90-year-old Marie Lees, 91-year-old Fred Spencer and 93-year-old Ella Gordon.
According to Hope Senior Apartment Manager Alayne Willams, who started the group two years ago, they share a meal together and trade stories with each other.
‘They have lots of stories that they want to talk about and I love for them to talk about it with each other because they appreciate it,? said Williams.
The topics of conversation range anywhere from family, occupations, and even pets they have had over the years. Usually the stories are accompanied by photos, which are a hot commodity at the gatherings.
Gordon remembered the time that her husband wanted her to start working, so she took a position at General Motors. She said pretty soon she started making more money than her husband.
McGlashen shared with the group that when she was 18, she and seven of her friends got into an automobile accident, of which she was the lone survivor.
When asked how he got to be 90, Spencer said that ‘the good Lord took pity on me.?
‘I guess you can say that the angels don’t want me and the Devil won’t have me,? said Sheldon.
Members of the group took turns giving this young reporter some advice on the secret reaching 90 and beyond.
‘Get an education, go to church and be a good child,? said Paraskevas. She added that she gave credit to people who raise children in today’s world.
‘Be honest and work hard and do the best you can,? said Spencer.
Nichols said that the only way he survived was to have a great sense of humor.
‘I think they have a lot to be thankful for. They appreciate living here. There’s not a day (that) goes by that they don’t say how satisfied they are and they couldn’t have chosen a better place to live,? Williams said.