Lansdale, PA (May 3, 2017) – Montgomery County Commissioners joined more than 50 centenarians Wednesday for the county’s eighth annual Centenarian Luncheon at Dock Woods. The luncheon celebrated the lives and stories of the 453 residents in Montgomery County who have reached the age of 100 or better.
“We are so honored and excited to be here today, to celebrate our centenarians,” said Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners. “Each of you is a member of what Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation. And it’s easy to see why. We have so much to thank you for.”
The number of centenarians in Montgomery County has increased since last year, when it was 330. The oldest Montgomery resident to attend the luncheon was Lean Jeandell, born Nov. 21, 1910. The commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing May as Older Americans Month at the April 20 meeting of the board.
“It’s been such an enlightening experience, coming here and hearing your stories,” said Ken Lawrence, Jr., Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners. “Behind each centenarian in this room there is a century’s worth of stories, advice, and insight into how we as a county have progressed over the last 100 years.”
During the luncheon, there was music and entertainment, along with a sing-along to celebrate the birthdays of all the recent centenarians.
“I’m happy to come back here and revisit some of the centenarians we met last year, and to congratulate all the new members of the 100-year club,” said Commissioner Joe Gale. “We have more than 50 centenarians in this room, which means that we have the benefit of more than 5,000 years of history and accumulated knowledge.”
Commissioner Arkoosh spoke to the seniors about ways in which the county could better serve its senior citizens. The Montgomery County Office of Aging and Adult Services serves more than 160,000 residents aged 60 and over in Montgomery County, as well as other populations in need of home and community based services that allow them to remain as independent as possible while they age.
The department helps provide a number of services to those residents and caretakers, as well as a protective services hotline at 1-800-734-2020. For more about the resources available through Aging and Adult Services, see the department’s webpage at www.montcopa.org/148/Aging-Adult-Services.
