Happy 100th Birthday to Lou Straehl!
On Tuesday, July 26, a group of Walter Panas High School football players and cheerleaders,together with a group of Cortlandt Cowboys youth football players and cheerleadersattended a celebration in Lous honor at the Seabury Assisted Living Facility.
Family, friends, fellow residents and staff members were honored to be a part of such a special day. Speeches were made, songs were sung, a proclamation was presented and, of course, therewas cake!
Tom Guzzo, a Panas football player said, We are proud to be here today to celebrate withyou. We can only hope to achieve all that you have in life." Lou had many interesting jobs in his life. He worked at Fleishmans in Peekskill, he operated his brothers gas station while his brother was fighting in the war, he was a draftsman for the White Plains Linen Company, an architect, auto mechanic, and the building inspector in White Plains. Lou created and operated the first ever automatic car wash on Long Island! Finally, at the age of 70 Lou retired.
He and his first wife, Amelia had one son Richard. Meli passed of cancer and the followingyear, Richard was killed in action while saving another man. Finding the strength to carryon, Lou soon met Edith and married her in 1967. They were a strong team who lived andplayed together until she passed when Lou was 98. Soon after Ediths passing Lou movedinto the Seabury.
When Lou was asked what he wanted to do on his special day, he responded, I want to kiss100 girls today, to which a woman seated nearby stated, Well I was number one! Thatgot lots of laughs! When given the microphone, Lou said, "Well, Ive never been much of a speaker, but, I want to thank you for all feeling the way you do about me"
Carly Ferrari, who will be a senior at Panas this year and is the Captain of the Varsitycheerleading team said, I wanted to be a part of this today because I like to be a part ofthings in the community. It was a good day spent with my friends and good people. MeetingLou and just being there made me realize that you need to appreciate everything you havein life and always live life to the fullest."
Marissa Lewis said, "I am glad I attended today because a 100th birthday celebration notmany get to enjoy that. I admire someone like Lou with such a desire to live because inthis day and age many take too much for granted. Lou was someone special enough for aparty to be thrown that even a news channel attended to cover the event!
You could tell from the speeches that were given that many looked up to Lou and loved him. There is no doubt that he endured hardships throughout his life but they proudly spoke of how he wasa "rock". As I was there and listened I came to admire the life of Lou! "
When asked if they thought if this was an exciting event, 8 year old Bella Powellsaid, "Yes! Hes 100 thats a lot of years and is very impressive," jumping into theconversation, her brother, 7 year old Shawn Powell said, and the cake was really good!"
Their mom, Faith Powell, who is the WPHS Cheer Coach & Cortlandt Cowboys cheercoordinator said, I think this was a great opportunity for these athletes to give back to the
community. Many thanks to the Seabury for letting us join in on this amazing celebration;it was exciting to celebrate someone turning 100! Happy Birthday, Lou!"
It was a great experience for all the cheerleaders and football players who helped servecake and drinks. Another resident mentioned there would be a 102nd birthday soon andwould the kids come back yet again? Of COURSE they will!
This weeks getaway adventure is brought to you courtesy of the Costello Family: Kevin,Maura, Kevin, Megan & Tara of Mohegan Lake.
Crystal clear blue water. Soft sand between your toes. Someone else cooking meals.Drinks on the beach. Welcome to The Reef in the Cayman Islands!
The Costellos decided on this vacation because they are a family of five, and as Maurasays, That bonus baby makes it hard to find the perfect vacation destination since so manyplaces are geared to families of four!
Maura checked out VacationstoGo.com and input their travel dates, number of people etc. Shescrolled down to each destination in the Caribbean and when the Reef showed up, theyknew they had found their place. Next Maura checked out Trip Advisor and read thereviews. Then she friended them on FB. By the time the family got there, they felt likethey knew everything about the place as well as the staff.
On Wednesday, June 22, Maggie Pinque presented a check in the amount of $15,000 atthe Board of Ed meeting. The donation was from the proceeds of LIVE held in April. Theevening was a brilliant community event that brought over 200 people out for the good oftheir children. $5,000 is earmarked for Hendrick Hudson High School for the purchase ofthree wireless access points. At Blue Mountain Middle School, $10,000 has been allotted for
the purchase of four Smartboards and two Senteos.
To have your social event, announcement or honor included in Cortlandt Neighbors Notes, email Maggie at [email protected]
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