2007 Spring Vintage.pmd - Retirement Housing Foundation

News From Our Communities
William Clarke talking
with a docent at the
Moffett Field Museum.
Auburn Ravine Terrace - Auburn Ravine, California
You would never know that William Clarke, a resident at Auburn Ravine
Terrace was a living national treasure - but that is just how Richard Van
Treuren, an expert of lighter-than-air transportation and editor of “A Century
of Airships” describes him.
Clarke is the last remaining living crew member of the great airships, a part
of the U.S. Navy’s lighter-than-air program which lasted from 1921 - 1935.
He was a ground crew member of the USS Akron, a giant airship that sank tailfirst
in the Atlantic, leaving three survivors out of a crew of 76. He was also in
Lakehurst, N.J. when the Hindenburg zeppelin crashed in a fiery ball of flames.
While he was off-shift at the time, he would go on duty guarding the wreckage
the next day.
He was a crewmember of the last airship, the Macon, on its last flight out of
Moffett Field in northern California in February of 1935. Macon was 400,000
pounds and 785 feet long (four times the size of today’s Goodyear blimps) and
was powered by eight 560 hp engines built in Germany. It crashed into the
Pacific Ocean during a routine return trip from the Channel Islands, all but two crew members survived.
He was recently interviewed by a German TV crew, filming a documentary that will appear on German TV
in the next year. Clarke has been told that interview footage could end up on the History Channel, Discovery
Channel and BBC projects centered around exploration of the Macon’s wreckage, which was found in 1990.
Colonial Heights - Florence, Kentucky
Jutta Hibrandt lived in Florida with her daughter before moving to
Colonial Heights and Gardens in September of 2005.
While she was in Florida she had been a professional ballroom dance
instructor until her early 70’s. She competed in dance competitions
until the age of 75, when she retired.
At the age of 85, she began dancing again, as a way to stay physically active.
It was her dance instructor that talked her into dancing competively again.
In the past year, they have competed in two major competitions and one
exhibition. They placed first in the Quick Step and Fox Trot.
What makes this all the more amazing is that Jutta is legally blind.
Celebrating Life! (continued from the front page)
Bishop’s Glen - Holly Hill, Florida
A Christmas tradition that started years ago with the lighting of
300 luminaries on the main driveway in Bishop’s Glen has grown
to now include more than 1400 throughout the entire community.
More than 30 residents and staff make the luminaries by hand; a
paper sandwich bag, filled with about an inch of sand in which a
candle is placed.
Every night, at 6 pm, volunteers light the candles and they burn
for 3 - 4 hours.
It is an event that brings the entire community together and leaves
a lasting impression for the entire year
Perls says the key to a long and healthy life is simple; don’t smoke, get lots of exercise and sleep, and eat a
balanced diet. Another common feature appears to be the ability to deal well with stress.
We can’t tell you that our centenarians have paid attention to the above-mentioned suggestions - but they
have definitely done something right!
Happy Birthday to all of you - may you be surrounded by those you love and who love you, and may your
days be filled with laughter.
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