90-plus club gains new members

At least 120 people were served a beef pot roast lunch and cake and ice cream at the 90-plus birthday party at the Douglas County Senior Center on Wednesday. The annual party honoring residents who will be 90 during the year began in 1997 with 16 founding members. This year there were 35 certificates and roses awarded to the new members of the senior center's 90-Plus Birthday Club.

"There were 146 people invited this year," said senior center recreation director Amanda Reid. "The list of names has grown over the years. There are many new ones turning 90 this year."

Alice Van Eck will be 90 years old next week on March 4. Van Eck was born in Holland and came to the United States in 1958 with six children.

"I live at Merrill Gardens, which is a good place to live," Van Eck said. "Last year my family had a reunion with 54 family members at the Carson Valley Inn."

When asked about the Netherland's successful Olympic speed skating team, Van Eck said, "Oh no, not me. I never was an ice skater. I always had bad ankles."

The 90-plus honorees were treated to lunch, but many more seniors attended the party to help them celebrate.

Lillian Heckers and Armand Castro sat at their usual place at the table with their friends.

"We're both 82," Heckers said of Castro and herself. "I was born on Feb. 5 and Armand was born Feb. 6. I'm the older lady."

"What do you call it? She's the cougar," said Heckers' friend, Edwina Lueck.

"Isn't this lovely?" said Heckers about the birthday lunch. "We come every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I volunteer on the desk on Fridays. We come for lunch and play cards and usually play bingo after lunch. It's nice to live in a small town."

County Recorder Karen Ellison, County Assessor Doug Sonnemann, County Commissioner Doug Johnson and Bob Cook of TRIAD helped Sheriff Ron Pierini award flowers and certificates to the 90-plus club members.

"We celebrate with you every year. Thanks for inviting me," said Pierini. "Being 90 years old is a real milestone and something to be proud of. Look at all the history here - it's pretty awesome."

Pierini acknowledged each of the honorees with a brief summary about their families, former professions and lists of their accomplishments.

The honorees listed some of their favorite activities as staying in shape, playing chess, dancing, doing community work, as well as kicking back and being lazy.

And on the list of future accomplishments?

"Enjoy each day," said 90-plus member Mae Domhoff.