Staff
There was a very special birthday party held in Rimbey as Inez Unland of the Parkland Manor turned 100 years young.
With her family and many friends on hand, Unland enjoyed a huge cake and several rounds of the age-old traditional song on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
“It feels good. Everybody thinks I’m still about 50,” the special girl said of her special day. ““I had my dinner and all the people sang Happy Birthday. I have some visiting to do today here in different rooms and have my family here with me. I got 50 or 60 birthday cards.”
The former resident of Ponoka who relocated to Rimbey in the past twelve months said longevity all comes down to getting involved.
“I love life and music,” she said. “It’s music and activity. I play pool here and I join everything they offer.”
When asked what she thought was the biggest change she’s seen in her lifetime, Mrs. Unland pointed to leaving her old hometown.
“Moving into here and out of my home in Ponoka. I’m very happy to be here and everyone is my friend,” she said. “I’ve sold my house in Ponoka and they have very nice people there. I’ve been here just about one year. They treat us very well and I get along with everybody.”
As an added bonus, the birthday girl returned to Ponoka on Aug. 9 to her birthday where she visited with many old friends.
According to Statistics Canada, the 2006 census indicates that there were 4,635 people aged 100 years or older, up about 22 per cent from 3,790 in 2001, and nearly 50 per cent higher than the level of 3,125 in 1996.
Also, five out of every six centenarians were women in 2006.