Theresa Holmes earned her slice of cake a few times over.
At 96, Holmes was the oldest of about 95 Sandycove Acres residents celebrated at a Senior Wish Association-run birthday bash at The Wheel on Oct. 8.
“I look forward to this,” she said. “There are a lot of functions I don’t go to anymore, but I like this because it’s a lot of people around my age.”
When asked for her fondest birthday memories, Holmes recalled being driven around Innisfil by her daughter for a couple hours when turning 95. Upon arrival back home, there were friends, family and a large birthday banner greeting her as a surprise.
“I had wall to wall people in the house,” she said. “I had over a hundred people at that, all wishing me happy birthday. I sent out so many ‘thank you’ cards I got tired.”
Volunteers joined Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin and several emergency responders in helping to serve cake, ice cream and refreshments and give away draw prizes and gift cards, while musical entertainment was provided by Naomi Bristow.
“It’s just such a joy to be here,” Dollin said, addressing the crowd. “I heard 7,824 years (are here). I have to tell you, you all don’t look a day over 7,824. We are so fortunate to live where we live. You folks at Sandycove are so blessed to live here. The whole town supports you. You are so important to us.”
Everyone celebrated was over the age of 80.
“We look forward to doing this for them every year,” organizer Linda Lewer said, noting this is the eighth time the association has hosted the bash. “This is all free. We do this because we choose to.”
David Niven has helped out at the event every year it’s been held.
“It’s quite enjoyable,” he said. “We get more out of it than the (guests) do, honestly. Just being with the team and helping out — we all work as one.”
Senior Wish hosts events at Sandycove throughout the year, including Christmas dinner deliveries and the Teddy Bear Picnic.
South Simcoe Police Service Chief John Van Dyke also waited on tables.
“As we age, we’re not so excited about our birthdays as we are when we’re younger,” he said. “But I’m happy to be here today. Seniors are very close to my heart. Both my parents have passed, but as I grew older and they grew older, I learned to appreciate them more than ever. Our younger generation could learn a lot from the seniors in our community.”
Both Dollin and Van Dyke noted the many local services available to older residents, including Innisfil ideaLAB and Library programs, Mobile Seniors Active Living Centre and Seniors Police Academy.
