Imagine living in Cleveland when the first Model T rolled off the assembly line. Hazel Hollenbach, who turned 102 years old on April 3, was born in 1908, the year the Model T was introduced. An elegant, charming woman whose eyes sparkle when she is engaged in conversation, Hazel embraces a positive attitude toward life.

With her stylish short haircut and soft pastel blouse, I found it difficult to believe Hazel was anywhere near 102 years old.  A passionate spirit and zest for life radiate from her tiny frame. Hazel is truly a remarkable woman.

Widowed for the first time in 1929, Hazel was left to raise her two young children alone. During World War II she worked the night shift at a Cleveland bomber plant. She also worked for Jubilee Catering, the Oak Ridge Senior Center and Gerber's Nursery school.

Self-defense is not just for the young or perfectly fit anymore. Most street predators will take the path of least resistance and target someone who appears to be vulnerable.

So where does that leave granny, granddad or the person who has some type of permanent or partial disability? That’s right!  They are the most likely to be victimized, because they are least likely to be able to defend themselves.

In this day and age, no community, not even Westlake or Bay Village is immune from this kind of crime. However, with the latest craze in martial arts training, sometimes referred to as “Cane–Fu”, Combat Cane Fighting or Cane Self-Defense, senior citizens and those who find a need to use a cane now have a option.

I had a chance to visit three local senior centers during the past month. On January 28, I attended the Dwyer Center in Bay Village for its second annual soup cook-off. A large crowd was on hand to taste and compare ten samples of wonderfully hot soup. The aroma drifting from each serving station filled the room with the scent of old-fashioned home cooking. Chefs represented various area senior living residences. From Lobster Bisque to Loaded Baked Potato soup (the winner) and eight delicious flavors in between, it was a food-lovers' dream. Salads, soups, rolls, beverages and dessert were also provided. At $5.00 a person, the soup cook-off was a real bargain. I definitely plan to return next year.

The residents of the Knickerbocker Apartments in Bay Village were treated to a special valentine, sent to them courtesy of Bob Howell of the Bay Barber Shop. The singing group, "Four Flats, No Spare," delighted the crowd with many old favorites and plenty of new jokes. Residents and their families remarked that their Valentine could not have been more fun! A special thank you to Bay Barber Shop for the Barbershop Quartet! We love you, too!

Financial abuse is a diverse genre of mistreatment that encompasses the embezzlement, theft or misappropriation of funds or possessions, oftentimes targeted at our most precious loved ones...our senior citizens.

Who could be financially abusing you or you loved ones? They could be anyone, from close family members to scammers a half a world away. I would like to share my experience with readers in the hopes that they can become their own advocates.

An elderly acquaintance of mine recently wanted to check her credit report. This person is very savvy in regards to her finances and investments and wouldn't typically need my assistance. However, I did recommend a reputable company for her to obtain her credit report. Yes, even some of these "free credit report" companies might also be scammers!

It was an extraordinary trip down memory lane for me. James Seman's slide presentation and talk at the Bay Village Library on January 14 brought back so many pleasant summertime memories. Who could forget Laughing Sal, the Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Thriller?

Going to Euclid Beach with family and friends was a big event. Filled with anticipation, we would pile into dad's car and head for the park. Many fun activities awaited us. I remember scrambling for a car on the Dodgems and the triumph of coming in seconds ahead of my friends on the winning racer coaster. Rocking the car when it stopped at the top of the giant Ferris wheel was cool. And yes, Ferris wheels did look gigantic to me. Walking to the end of the pier, dodging fishing lines and hooks, to the take in the sunset over Lake Erie is my favorite memory.

The first meeting for 2010 of the Bay Village Senior Citizen Advisory Board is scheduled for Friday, January 15th, 9 a.m. at the Bay Lodge, 492 Bradley Road. The meeting is open to the public. You need not be a senior citizen to attend.

Bay Village senior citizens needing transportation can contact Mary Beth Rowland at 440-899-3410.

On October 29, 2008, I was diagnosed with cancer. That same month the Gathering Place West opened its doors to cancer patients and their families. This was a life-changing experience for me.

I'd like to tell you a little about the Gathering Place West. Located at 800 Sharon Drive in Westlake, it is especially convenient to the Westshore community.

The Gathering Place offers a variety of activities such as art classes, yoga, lectures, and support groups for persons with cancer and their families. One-on-one services include short term counseling, life planning, and medical billing consultations. Telephone support is also available. All services are free

The Bay Village High School Key Club will be on hand to help the members of the West Shore Senior Center with a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Knickerbocker Apartments on Wednesday, November 11th. Tickets are $5 each for a dinner that includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic bread, dessert and coffee. Pop is available for 50 cents. The event is scheduled from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

If anyone were to ask the residents of the Knickerbocker Apartments what their definition of a hero is, the answer would undoubtedly be the Bay Village Fire & Rescue Department. This professional group of individuals are always there to help with compassion and understanding. Quick with a joke to lighten the mood or a squeeze of the hand for understanding, the Bay firefighters bring a sense of security the minute they come through the door.