Celebrating a Century

By Mitch Traphagen

SUN CITY CENTER - In her lifetime Hazel Bryson has seen much. As a retired school teacher from Wisconsin, as with all teachers, she literally taught history as it unfolded.

From her date of birth it would be eight months before the Wright brothers would fly their historic 120 feet at Kitty Hawk. A business newcomer with radical ideas named Henry Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company that year.

On the date of Hazel Bryson's birth, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, widow of George Armstrong Custer, was celebrating her 61st birthday. She would celebrate nearly 30 more. It would be two weeks before the New York Highlanders, later known as the Yankees, would take to the field for the first time.

Indeed Hazel Bryson has seen much during her century of life. Her former students will likely tell you that she has also shared much. The faculty of Ruskin Elementary School can tell you that she is still sharing today through donations to the Book Nook reading program.

According to her longtime friend Harold Corrigan, Bryson has taught nearly 2,000 Sun City Center residents ballroom dancing.

She was the first resident of Lake Towers in Sun City Center 25 years ago. During Bryson's 100th birthday party Arlin Drummond of Lake Towers said, "Hazel has had an impact on everyone who has met her."

Juanita Pina came to work at Lake Towers just about the time Bryson moved in 25 years ago. The two women have known each other all these years. "She's always so bright, she's a delightful lady," said Pina. "She's always dressed like a lady," said another Lake Towers employee.

Dozens of friends and employees waiting in a long line to wish Bryson a happy birthday. It was obvious that each guest had a special feeling for the birthday girl, it was obvious that they had all felt the impact that Drummond had mentioned.

The quick smile that appears on her face and the glint in her eyes suggest that these stories are just the beginning. The century mark for Hazel Bryson may not be such a big event after all. Her energy, her wit and her smile belie her age. Hazel Bryson clearly intends to continue having an impact on those around her.

And while she enjoyed the party held in her honor, she apparently was looking towards the future.

"Just wait until I get old," she said thinking about the party that would be held for her then.

Celebrating Centenarians at SunTrust Bank

On April 10 at the SunTrust Bank in Sun City Center, the lives of 11 centenarians were celebrated by the entire community. Brief stories about lives and reflections were told including Margaret Amirault's memory of people gathering around a pot bellied stove in a general store reading the weekly newspaper and Wanda Bevier's memories of attending parties with Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Betty Grable and other stars while living in Los Angeles.

Over the summer months, the Observer News will publish each of the 11 'This is Your Life' stories in an occasional series in order to share the memories and thoughts gained by a century or more of life

The centenarians recognized during the ceremony were Margaret Amirault, 101, Wanda Bevier, 101, Clara Bicknell, 100, Hazel Bryson, 100, Evelyn Clatterbuck, 103, Fermin Montes Deoca, 100, Ruth Hammond, 100, Edna Meline, 102, George Perpitch, 102, Eva Stricker, 105, Anna Veltri, 100 and Howard Volgenau, 101.

The SunTrust Bank has held an annual event to celebrate the lives of area centenarians for the past several years.