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Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Jim Rivera performs a nostalgic song at the Sunnyvale Senior Center's Older American Month luncheon.
Local seniors celebrate Older American Month
By Genevieve Roja
At 101 years-old, Mary Ames' memory is so sharp that she can still remember and recite the contents of her first grade reader. She can verbally pen poems in an instant: "sometimes we go on a scenic ride and stop to a drink if we choose; a coke that is, not booze." She's outlived her only daughter Betty, survived two marriages, and can still look back clearly on her World War II days.
As an employee of the state printing press in Sacramento, Ames was hand-picked to supervise the distribution of yens and sens. The Japanese currency would be given to the Marines en route to the country's takeover, but the mission would soon be scrapped and the money burned. Then-President Harry S. Truman dropped two atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in Japan's surrender.
"These individuals have been here through the first World War, the second World War and now into the new millennium," said the Inn's Executive Director Mina Hassanzadeh.
Ames was there front and center Thursday afternoon at the Retirement Inn of Sunnyvale with fellow resident Juanita Goedel, who was celebrating her 100th birthday and Ames, celebrating her 101st in a post-birthday reception. It was an all-encompassing fete in conjunction with Older American Month, supplied with lemonade, strawberry birthday cake, cookies and a visit by Gil Candelaria, commander of Sunnyvale's Department of Public Safety. Two couples danced to the music of guitarist Jerry Ashford, who is one half of the duo, "Moonglow." Ashford played sentimental favorite such as "As Time Goes By" and "The Nearness of You."
Attendees like Frank Alioto, offered his views on the two centenarian celebrants, saying they were "quite active" and "they can speak their peace too." When Alioto can't sleep during the night, it's Goedell who'd still motoring around the dining area, drinking coffee and talking.
"She can drink you under the table," said the 93 year-old Alioto.
Despite their years, youth seems to abound here, and residents are still relatively happy and healthy.
"I keep saying I'm 93 and that's old, but I don't feel that way," said Alioto.
For Ames, it's the simplicity of life these days that sustains her.
"There are four thing we do at the Retirement Inn," said Ames. "We sleep, we wake, we eat, and we hope."
From table to table, it was clear to see that smiles can always erase age.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
