The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
100-yearold residents honored
A century of love and laughter was celebrated Oct. 1 for five centenarians who live at Independence Village in Avon Lake.
Herman Fruehan, who had a birthday in September; Curtis Pilgrim, who had a birthday in August; Sarah Burk, who celebrated her birthday in April; Barbara Whitcomb, whose birthday was in August; and Millie Pagorek will celebrate her birthday in November, were treated to a party attended by family members, friends and residents of the seniorliving and retirement community, located at 345 Lear Road.
Independence Village staff created a video of each birthday celebrant and projected it to the guests.
Each guest of honor shared their secrets or advice of living long lives and how cherished they were to spend it in their own ways.
The advice included: having a good marriage; having good friends; supportive family; staying busy; living life one day at a time; and having a good supply of chocolate.
The celebration also included live music by John Kowalski, special photos and items belonging to the honorees, champagne, sparkling grape juice, refreshments and birthday treats.
Nikole Bari, life enrichment director at Independence Village, said having five residents to live to be 100 years old doesn’t normally happen.
So, the staff wanted to have a big celebration, Bari said.
“It’s priceless,” she said. “It gives hope to all, it shares their life, their wisdom over their years, and it’s just a way to celebrate their life.”
The facility provides daily activities that stimulate minds and bodies of the residents, Bari said.
“We want to give them a reason to dream big and keep giving back to the community any way they can,” she said.
Independence Village’s motto is living in every moment and interaction in the day and being able to give back every second in the day, Bari said.
“We’ve become family,” she said. “They’re people we care about and love, and we just want to celebrate who they are.”
Independence Village also celebrates anniversaries and special moments of the residents, Bari said.
Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka said the celebration is a positive outlook that is admirable to see as the individuals reach this part of life.
Zilka said it was great to see the positivity, humor and sharpness the birthday honorees held; adding the facility does a wonderful job celebrating their members.
“This is indicative of how Independence Village treats their clients,” he said. “(The facility was) just rated as one of the top facilities in Northern Ohio. This is a very positive environment here.”
Whitcomb celebrated her birthday alongside her friends and daughter Janice and son-in-law Ken Dunn of North Olmsted,
Whitcomb said the celebration was unreal because it’s something she never expected to happen.
“It’s wonderful to be honored with others who all like it here,” she said. “The party was a fantastic thing, and it’s just like a dream.”
The Dunns said it was nice Independence Village could celebrate a moment of life with a party, which is important to many families.
Ken Dunn said moments like these speak on behalf of the relationships and characters staff, employees and residents hold and how they all get along with each other.