Celebrating our Centenarian Neighbors
(By Diane Dowell)
In the heart of Eaglecrest, 1501 E. Magnolia Rd, Salina, KS, a thriving assisted living facility, an extraordinary celebration unfolded as the resident community and family members gathered to honor the birthdays of four residents who have reached the remarkable milestone of 100+ years. They are an elite group called "Centenarians". A "centenarian" is a person who is one hundred or more years old.
Eaglecrest, known for its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, spared no effort in making this occasion unforgettable. The staff decorated the area with balloons and banners, and gathered photos and memorabilia of each centenarian, and created a personal display case showcasing each resident, setting a festive tone that reflected the joyous spirit of the day.
The honored Centenarians were seated at the head table, with family members, during their celebration on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
Friends, family, and fellow residents joined together to share in the festivities, creating an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness. The highlight of the event was a game where each centenarian had information about themselves given as a clue and the guests had to guess which centenarian it was. This recognized them for their unique life journey, accomplishments, and contributions to the community, fostering a deep sense of appreciation and respect among all in attendance and letting everyone in attendance have an opportunity to learn a little bit more about each person.
Now, let's meet the honored guests:
HELEN:
Helen was born in 1922 and is the oldest resident at Eaglecrest. She is 102 years young.
Helen, 102 years old, was born in 1922.
DAN:
Dan was born in 1923, making his current age 101 years young.
Dan was born in 1923, making him 101 years young.
MARIETTA:
Exactly one month younger than Dan is Marietta. She too, was born in 1923 and is currently 101 years young.
Marietta, 101 years young, was born in 1923.
DOTTIE:
And the fourth Centenarian is Dottie. Dottie is 100 years young, being born in 1924.
Dottie was born in 1924 and is currently 100 years young.
Celebrating not just the age of these remarkable individuals, but their resilience, wisdom, and the legacy they have built was a pleasure. As the day drew to a close, the centenarians were left with a profound sense of belonging and joy, knowing they are cherished members of a community that values and celebrates the richness of their experiences and contributions.
The world is home to an estimated 722,000 centenarians, according to the United Nations population projections for 2024. The U.S. centenarian population is the world's second largest-the U.N. estimates it at 108,000. And Salina has four of those being residents at Eaglecrest!