By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The legacy of Wood County residents who are 90 years and older is found in their work, the families they raised, and the memories and perspectives they continue to share.
Nearly 120 seniors aged 90 to 102 years old were honored for their lifelong contributions during the 13th annual “90-Plus Spectacular” at the Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green.
Many are Wood County natives with lifelong connections to the region, and others are transplants arriving in the area because of school, careers or to be close to family. There were veterans and volunteers, award winners and outstanding citizens.
They were secretaries, nurses, letter carriers, teachers, factory workers, truck drivers, farmers, homemakers and accountants.
Apparently, a prolific bunch, they proudly boasted of having families totaling more than 1,400 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Hazel Elizabeth Welch Carter, at 102 years old, was the oldest in attendance. Her effusive smile was almost as big as her slight, not-quite-five-foot-tall frame.
Though she eventually became a nurse who worked in the psychiatric and OB-GYN fields, her fondest memory was when she was 20 years old packing and distributing lunches for male trainees at what became Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
“I never paid much attention to the trainees until one day, in a new group of students one man stood out. I told my friend he was the one. He’s like a tall, cool drink of water,” she said flashing that smile.
Hazel and William Philip Carter Sr. shared 74 years of marriage, always enjoying each other’s companionship. The love of her life was known for regularly showering her with flowers and candy, she said.
Together they were athletic and stayed active. They bowled, played golf, bridge and other card games, and walked five miles together every morning, always holding hands as they walked, she recalled.
Traveling in their RV became their hobby, visiting all 48 contiguous states and eventually flying to Hawaii.
Her best advice to future generations is to find that one love and cherish them. Faith, hard work and the adage to treat others as you would like to be treated are the foundations for a happy life, she said.
Gerald Warren, 91, also urged younger generations to “love your neighbor as yourself,” but he added the importance of living each day as it comes. Warren, who was an accountant for Gulf Oil, Chevron, Sohio and BP, served in the Air Force from 1952-56.
One of Warren’s most significant memories was when he spent two years in Japan as a radio operator for the Secret Service. He and some fellow servicemen visited Mount Fujiyama during a leave. When they got there, clouds were covering the mountains; however, when they woke the next day, “the mountain was visible in all its glorious beauty with a fresh coat of snow covering the peak,” he said.
Nora Liu grew up in Beijing, China, and received a bachelor’s degree in Taiwan. She was a great athlete and a well-known player on the Taiwan Women’s National Basketball Team.
The 91-year-old eventually came to the U.S. for advanced degrees and ended up at Bowling Green State University, where she was a professor of exercise physiology and former women’s basketball coach. Following her lifestyle, Liu’s advice is to exercise, stay physically active, travel the world and enjoy life.
Emmy Hann, 93, of Bowling Green was a registered dietitian and college instructor. She recalled “my first solo train trip when I was nine from Albany to Rochester, New York.” Among her cherished memories was being able to see Niagara Falls and ride in the Maid of the Mist behind the falls. “Go forth boldly–the world is your oyster,” was the wisdom she shared.
Many of the seniors shared similar bits of advice for younger generations: education is important, keep moving forward, put faith in God, be kind and love one another, find a job you enjoy, be true to yourself, rise to your potential, live each day and enjoy life, never go to bed angry with your spouse, live each day.
• Victor Schuerman, who was born in 1933, received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toledo after 11 years of night and day classes, while working 40 hours a week and raising three children. From personal experience, his advice is “Get as much education in your area of liking and do not get involved in obscene debt from schooling cost and spending beyond your income.”
• Denny Barrett, 94, said, “Be good to your kids when they are young so they will be good to you when you are old.” Said 94-year-old Denny Barrett, who did financial work for General Electric and various senior centers.
• At 93, Maxine Cross of Bowling Green, recalled the joy she got from working at Huntington Bank for 50 years. The appreciation she had for her job led to her advice, “Work hard and enjoy your work,” she said.
• Cliff Campbell, 91, “If you want to do something, do it when you are young, beause when you get older, you can’t do it.”
• Use the Three P’s daily—Patience, Politeness, Persistence, said June VanVorhis, 91, of Bowling Green.
• Be thoughtful and thankful, and appreciate the people who do things for you, said Marjorie Terry, 101.
• Willis Smith, 92, said, “Do whatever you can, whenever you can, with whatever you have to help others. This will give you the greatest peace and happiness you could ever wish for.
• Travel wherever and whenever you can, was sage advice from Nancy Seifert, 94; Phyllis Townsend, 94; and Norma Hoover, 96.
• Spend within your means, from Shirley J. Rose, 91.
• Dorris Miller, 92, and Coral Marsh, 90, had similar advice: Miller said “listen to your parents” and Marsh said, “Listen to the advice from your grandparents.”
• Be grateful for each day, said Betty Laukhauf, 91, a teacher for 35 years, who had the opportunity to travel to Japan on an all-expense paid educational trip.
• Always consider others’ feelings and always be honest, from Joyce Feasel, 91.
“These individuals have led impactful and meaningful lives, and they continue to offer transformational contributions,” said Danielle Brogley, program coordinator at the senior center.
