The 'best thing' about being 90-plus

Thirty-six 90-plus-year-olds and three other more-than-100 year-olds were honored at the 90-plus birthday party at the Douglas County Senior Center on Wednesday.

Between 140-150 people attended the festive affair, including several local officials, including Douglas County Commissioner Nancy McDermid, Commission Chair Doug Johnson, former commissioner and former undersheriff Bernie Curtis, Community Services Director Scott Morgan and County Manager Dan Holler. Two tables spilled over into the lobby.

Senior Services Supervisor Warren Bottino read the biographies of every honoree, including a few who were born and raised in Gardnerville.

Bea Jones, whose family is the Motts from which Mottsville was formed, will be 98 in July. She was a florist by profession and is a huge Giants baseball fan.

"My great-grandmother (Eliza Ann Middaugh Mott) was the first white woman settler in Nevada," she said proudly.

Each senior had been asked about their lives, what they still hope to accomplish and what the "best thing" about living to their 90s has been.

William Nelson, 94, whose grandparents were the Hussmans from Germany, who homesteaded what's now known as the Hussman Ranch, said the best thing for him is, "I'm damn lucky to still be here. Didn't think I would see 90, now I'll soon be 95."

The three members of the newly formed 100-Plus Club are senior member Harriet Cox, who turned 104 on Jan. 1, Sallie Springmeyer, 103, who wasn't present, and Allen Bartshe, who will be a century old on March 25.

Bartshe, a retired broker, said the best thing about being almost 100 is "getting there."

Springmeyer, one of the first women lawyers to practice in Nevada, said in her biography, the best thing about being over 100 is "I've enjoyed my life and enjoyed the many people I've known. My many friends, they are what made my life."

Cox, a homemaker with three daughters, who now has 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, said her best thing is, "Still feeling good and being in good health and being with family."

Ray Gardiol, who was born Feb. 8, 1917, said his best thing about being 90 is coming to the senior center twice a week and still remembering his name.

George Silk, who will be 98 on March 5, said his best things are reading the Bible and taking care of his wife, Helen.

"I still feel like a young man. I'm ready to set the world on fire," said the retired construction worker and farmer.

McDermid said that although she didn't know what the "best thing" about being over 90 would be, "I know the best thing that's happened to me since I became commissioner is handing out these certificates to you all today."

Some gave funny answers as to what they want to accomplish.

"I'd like to live to be 110 years old," said Wanda Laskey, 91.

Former barber and mortuary owner Willie Briam said, "I want to get married again."

Augusta Best, 90, said, "I want to be on the 'Today Show' with Willard Scott."

She is also a sports fan, and her favorite teams are the Giants and '49ers.

"I want them back up to how they used to be," she said of the '49ers.

Although he still has 15 years to go to be honored at the 90-plus party, Young at Heart President Paul Lockwood was celebrating his 75th birthday the day of the party. He was wearing an appropriate black ribbon that said "Living Fossil."

-- Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.