More than 20 of the town’s favorite elders’a hearty group of residents who are 90 years and older’had their annual birthday party together last Saturday, courtesy of the Palisades Junior Women’s Club. ”With Joe Napolitano, 104, and Rose Rhodes, 99, holding court as the oldest man and woman in the room, the special guests enjoyed a luncheon served by Junior Women members and a half-dozen of their daughters in the Woman’s Club (which was donated for the occasion). ”Napolitano, who still lives independently at his home in the Alphabet streets, is now enjoying his third century, having been born to Italian parents on a freighter off Gibraltar in 1899. He said he’s looking forward to turning 105 on August 19. ”Rhodes, who lives with her nephew and niece on Lachman Lane, will join the century club on November 1. ”The second oldest partygoer was Emery Stoops, 101, a former college educator who is still an active financial adviser. He said he also enjoys working every day in his vegetable garden and fruit orchard in the Riviera. ”Other attendees included Katherine Abbott, 98; Nancy and Victor Boesen, age 91 and 95 respectively; Wilma and George Tauxe, both 90; Maria Reichenbach, 95; Helen Mariol, 94; Joe Kingsley, 94; Harold Waterhouse, 93; Max Gerchik, 93; Mary Elizabeth Gall, 92; Valera Mueting, 91; Jeri McKee, 91; Dr. Leonard Montage, 91; Bob Willet, 91; Dorothy Miller, 91; Louis Shack, 90; Mary Hanzelin, 90; and Carl Christol, 90, a USC professor emeritus who said he swims at the YMCA pool ‘every day’rain or shine, cold or hot.’ ”Junior Women president Jenifer Byington thanked Helen Levin and Lynn Burlin for organizing the event, and introduced three young girls’Grace Levin and Camille and Madeline Oswald’who sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘The Grand Old Flag.’
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