Athol news: Celebrating nine decades

Liz Hasbrouck had a 90th birthday party on July 10.

Your reporter was invited and met some of the most wonderful people. There was the birthday girl and her friend, Eileen Morse, age 93, both of Athol.

Is it the water? More people 80 or older were there than normally seen outside a rest home.

These people, however, weren’t in a rest home. They were partying down.

This gathering was held at the Timberlake fire station in Athol. Why the fire station? No, not to be closer to the emergency medical technicians. Liz has too many family members and friends to fit in a smaller room.

Fire commissioners directed that the fire engines be pulled out and the area be cleared for the party.

Oh, yes, the fact that Liz had donated an acre behind the fire station for housing more fire equipment might have had something to do with the party location, too.

Partygoers heard about these things from admirers because Liz never talks about them herself.

Her chief cheerleader was Bob Pekar, her longtime companion. This is the guy who sponsors Easter egg hunts, Athol Days games, Christmas parties and scrap drives, as well as buys gifts – all for the kids in the neighborhood.

There aren’t any community needs that Bob or Liz, or both, haven’t contributed to. Liz started the Athol Seniors group in 1989 and still attends its functions. Currently, she is purchasing playground equipment for the City Park.

“Throwing parties for these two is a no-brainer,” said Debbie Schissler, fire commissioner.

Liz and friend Eileen were scooting about, visiting with everyone as if they were 30 years younger.

Her niece, Carmella Clark, came from Arvada, Colo., for the occasion.

Sometimes, surprises happen when attending this kind of event. Such was the case this time.

This reporter had intended to write about the oldest people in attendance. But I found that the youngest was just as interesting.

I was introduced to Amy Storer, daughter of Debbie Schissler, when Grandma introduced Maya as “almost a Storer.” Sensing an even better bit of news, I asked how a person could be an “almost.” Well, Maya is about to be adopted by Amy and husband, Scott.

I can see why. This little girl was a foster child of the Storers’. When a permanent solution became available, Scott and Amy were not about to pass up the opportunity.

Scott is an electronics technician, petty officer 1st class, stationed permanently at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Wash., and on temporary duty in Japan.

Four generations were represented at Liz’s 90th birthday party. The cake was great, too.