Veronica Bizon greets her mother, Ruth Hudson, 99, during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Hudson will be 100 years old in December. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ali Wolf hugs her friend, Joe Bush, 102, during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Wolf said she was taking regular walks on the beach with Bush until he got sick last year. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
June Barthol, 107, mugs for the camera during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chloe Andrews greets her grandmother, Sula Thomas, 100, during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sula Thomas, 100, during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ellen Lewis, 100, laughs as Activities Director Gina Climer talks about her during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Eleven of 15 residents over 100 years old attend Rowntree Garden’s annual Centenarian Celebration in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike McMillen shows off a Friends-inspired caricature of Rowntreee Gardens residents over 100 years old during their annual Centenarian Celebration in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ali Wolf, left, and Karen Lemasters, center, friends of Joe Bush, 100, waves as his grandson, Don Aspinall, salutes, when Bush is recognized during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vada Flowers, 100, during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Eleven of 15 residents over 100 years old attend Rowntree Garden’s annual Centenarian Celebration in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Veronica Bizon greets her mother, Ruth Hudson, 99, during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Hudson will be 100 years old in December. The senior living community celebrated 15 residents over 100 years old. ..(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Eleven centenarians celebrated milestone birthdays at Rowntree Gardens on Friday, Oct. 11, an event honoring their achievements in life, contributions to their communities and – of course – hitting triple digits.
“I always say I have a happy life, and every day, I enjoy my life,” said Bernice Matthews, 105.
June Barthol, 107, mugs for the camera during an annual Centenarian Celebration at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton, CA, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
For 107-year-old June Barthol, the secret to living for more than a century is rather simple: “I just lived,” she said.
Barthol notes it’s important to stay active. She was an avid waterskier but has since traded in the watersport for the card game bridge. Matthews, meanwhile, enjoys bingo and writing, the latter an activity she does daily.
Friday’s celebration included personalized awards, speeches from loved ones and balloons and bouquets. In all, 15 centenarians reside at the Stanton assisted living facility, ranging in age from 100 to 107.
“Their lives are a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of the human spirit, and this event is our way of expressing our deepest gratitude and admiration for their contributions,” said Gina Climer, Rowntree Gardens’ community activities director.
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