Over the past couple of decades since the St. Johns County Council on Aging has been hosting its annual Centenarian Luncheon at THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center, they had never seen a crowd as big as the one at this year’s event.
More than one hundred in attendance, including six centenarians, who are older than 100 years old.
“This is a banner year, and we are delighted for what that means for all of us in this community,” said Becky Yanni, COA executive director. “We are so honored to have you here today, and to celebrate your longevity and your wisdom. Council on Aging is dedicated to helping our residents live their best possible life every day, and you honorees are a shining example of what it means to age well.”
According to Bruce Barber, master of ceremonies for the event, the combined age in the room was more than 6,000 years of life experience.
The centenarians included Josephine Trinca at 103, Shelia Winchester and Josephine Steiner, both at 102, and Rita Bondanza, Robert Schuh and Luann Sterling who celebrated 101 years old.
Bingo continues to be one of Trinca’s favorite things to do and she makes sure to play it at least twice a week.
Food was a popular answer for what made life so special, as Bondanza said pasta and Steiner said her mother’s Hungarian goulash.
Sterling said that her family and friends are what has made her life so special, and the loudest laugh of the event came with Schuh’s answer of his birth as the most important event of his life.
Winchester recently turned 102 and she said that her happiest moment in her life was the end of World War II.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue provided the honor guard at the event, while The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach volunteered to serve food, and The Rev. Amy Slater of Christ Episcopal Church offered the invocation.
“We just need the basic things, and that’s to look around and see the beauty of this world and to be reminded that somebody is there to help you or that you can help somebody moving forward,” Slater said. “I encourage you to share your stories and remind us that what we do with our lives deeply matters no matter the life span.”
