Three Western North Carolina residents who are 100 years-old or older were honored May 24 at a Century Club Celebration at Park Ridge Health in Hendersonville.
Grace Goodell, 102, Helen Adwin, 100, and Carol Hoyt, 101, were presented with letters of congratulations on reaching the milestone from staff of North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan, as well Congressman Heath Shuler. Chad Eaton, director of public affairs for Shuler, also presented the honorees with flags he said had been flown above the Capital Building in Washington D.C. in their honor.
Organizers said that about 65 people 100 years-old or older currently live in Western North Carolina. Last year, a similar celebration drew about 20 of them, but this year, many were not able to attend due to transportation and health issues, they reported.
The event was part of national Older Americans Month, which aims to “show appreciation and support for our seniors as they continue to enrich and strengthen our communities,” according to its website.
“We’re delighted to be part of this celebration,” exclaimed Jimm Bunch, CEO of Park Ridge Health, as attendees began the luncheon. “We’re all about health and you’ve lived to be a healthy 100. And we congratulate you for it.”
Asked what the secret to living a long and happy life was, Hoyt advised attendees to “pick out something you like to do and do it well.”
Photos courtesy of Jamie Turnipseed
