GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Penney Retirement Community and the Supervisor of Elections Office hosted a Centenarian Celebration for 27 residents on Thursday, May 21, to honor their decades of voting as the United States prepares for its 250th anniversary. 

Ten of the 27 residents attended the ceremony at the Rigel Center. All were at least 100 years old, and each were presented with a certificate of appreciation by Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless. 

“Experience is the ultimate teacher, and no matter how much we think what we have life figured out, the truth is none of us truly do,” he said. “Life continues to teach us all the wisdom and life experiences represented by this group is immeasurable if we simply take the time to listen.” 

In retrospect, Chambless said 100 years earlier, on May 21, 1926, Earl Sheely of the Chicago White Sox hit a record of six consecutive doubles, Gene Austin's song, “Five-Foot-Two, Eyes-Of-Blue,” was the most popular song in America. 

Virginia Henderson, Madeline Hough, Louise Vaughn, Richard Garrison, Ethel Bell, Sid Roy, Elaine Unkles, Mary Kallas, Phyllis Turner and Wilda Loughhead were honored in person, while Norma Elliott, Thomas Johnson, Averne Weber, Wanda Cheek, Flora Choate, Mary Dalzell, Doris Donaldson, Annie Graham, George Hollerith, Yolanda McCord, William Mitchell III, Doris Owens, Rosanelle Pentecost, Robert Powers, Louise Purtee, Rafael Vergara and Theron Whidden all had their certificates delivered. 

Refreshments were provided by the retirement center, and floral centerpieces were donated by Park Avenue Florist. 

Virginia Henderson recently celebrated her 104th birthday on April 15. “I’ve lived a very good, happy life,” she said. “[I’ve had] a lot of memories, good memories, some not so good, but I just look forward each and every day.”