In appreciation of Westlake's 90th & Over Birthday Celebration

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough presents a personalized Proclamation to Melba (Pat) Wojcik, one of the event's honorees. Each Westlake resident aged 90 years and over in attendance received a special Proclamation. Photo by Dan Hirschfeld

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Having had the privilege of accompanying my mother, Melba Wojcik, at the recent 90th & Over Birthday Celebration held at the Westlake Recreation Center on April 25, I was reminded of the wealth of talent and experience possessed by our older Westlake residents, as well as their friends and family members.

The 90th & Over Birthday Celebration is a recognition of the contribution of Westlake's nonagenarian citizens, very ably co-sponsored and produced by the Westlake Community Services Department and the Westlake Women’s Club.

Held in the recreation center’s Community Room, Westlake citizens aged 90 and over, along with one guest if they wished, were invited to attend the event. Tables seating eight were arranged throughout the large room and all tables appeared to be filled.

My mother and I shared terrific conversation with our tablemates. Those at our table related very interesting and fulfilling experiences gained by themselves and their family members. I’m confident our table wasn’t unique in that. I came away from the celebration realizing those in the room represented an impressive variety of life experiences.

The celebration included brief comments by Westlake Community Services Director Lydia Gadd, Westlake Women’s Club President Anne Steffen and Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough, followed by a tasty luncheon. At the conclusion of the luncheon Mayor Clough scurried around the room, personally handing individualized official proclamations to the numerous age 90 & over attendees.

If I may, I’d appreciate the opportunity to sincerely thank everyone with the City of Westlake and the Westlake Women’s Club involved in making the 90th & Over Birthday Celebration possible. The commercial sponsors of the celebration deserve a hearty tip of the hat, also.

My mother and I have been fortunate enough to attend several of these annual events and we’ve very much enjoyed them, this year’s certainly being no exception.