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A century and counting
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Senior Center holds party as man turns 100  Crescent City Mayor Kelly Schellong attaches a pin to the lapel of 100-year-old birthday boy Lloyd Perkins. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson Perkins, a resident and visitor to Crescent City for the last 40 years, turned 100 Wednesday and received a letter from President Bush while enjoying accolades and birthday festivities at the Del Norte Senior Center. “There’s been a lot of changes,” Perkins said about seeing a century of American culture. “Most of them have been good. It’s tough to see the hard times, but they’re not the first I’ve been through. The hardest part is seeing so many older people losing their homes.” Perkins, born in 1909 in Monticello, Utah, had the dubious honor of living through the Great Depression — as a young man. “1930 was a bad year,” Perkins said. “I see some similarities with what is happening now, but there is a big difference. Back then there was nowhere to get help, no bail-out money, but now there is.” Perkins worked as a meat-cutter and served as a Seabee for the U.S. Navy. He retired in 1970 after 40 years as a trouble shooter for Southern California Gas Company.  The Boondock Band entertains the crowd of over a hundred during the birthday celebration Wednesday afternoon at the Del Norte Senior Center. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson His wife passed away in 1995 and the couple didn’t have any children. Since moving to Crescent City about 25 years ago, Perkins has given extensive donations to charities like the Red Cross, and his name is on the wall at the senior center for donating more than $50,000 to help build the new facility on Northcrest Drive. This may explain why his birthday party broke the record for the largest number of people attending a meal at the center. According to the sign-in sheet, more than 130 people showed up Wednesday for food and festivities, 10 more people than have ever attended a meal in the past, said Redwood Cove Community Center Manager John Berryman. To the smell of savory cooking, beneath 100 balloons tied to chairs, the guests enjoyed birthday cake and ice cream and the music of the Boondock Band. “I knew something was afoot,” Perkins said. “But these people wouldn’t tell me a thing.” Berryman started the birthday announcements by citing facts about the year Perkins was born. In 1909, Berryman said, the average life expectancy was 47 years, women only washed their hair once a month on average and the average wage was 22 cents an hour, Berryman said. Perkins is well loved in the community. In addition to the card from the president, Crescent City Mayor Kelly Schellong and Del Norte Board of Supervisors Chairman David Finigan presented proclamations honoring Perkins’ long life and many contributions to charity. “What’s there not to like about Lloyd,” said Senior Center Director Cyndie Brande. “He helps as much as he can and is always upbeat and friendly.” Lloyd said that upbeat nature is the secret to a long healthy life. “I just go with the flow,” Perkins said. “I try to keep a happy outlook. People are making too big a deal out of this, it’s just another birthday.” Despite his grousing, Perkins looked pleased as punch as the guests sang happy birthday accompanied by a banjo. |
