February 2008 Vol. 27. No. 2

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Staying the course: Valentine dance began 70 years together
Area 1 Agency on Aging: New Information Directory for seniors is here
Around the Center: Check out the Public Health Department’s free clinics for adults
Blood draws: Take advantage of St. Joseph’s offer
Senior Center Conversations: Lloyd Perkins at 99 is going strong
Healthy innards: Strengthening the pelvic floor

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Senior Center Conversations
Lloyd Perkins at 99 is going strong
by Sharon McKinney

“Think positive and don’t worry. Treat everybody the way you want to be treated. That’s all,” Lloyd Perkins replied to my question about how to live 99 happy, comfortable and healthy years. Lloyd doesn’t wear glasses, doesn’t need a hearing aid and has his own teeth. “Something happened to my hair though,” he laughed.

One day he visited the Del Norte Senior Center when it was still in the Veteran’s Hall and met the director. He looked at the plans for the new building and gave a sizable donation to the project. The senior center building was paid for when it was built. At the dedication ceremony, director Gene Olson asked Lloyd to pull off the banner over the front door. When he did, he saw his name, Lloyd Perkins Hall, in honor of his financial support.

Lloyd spent most of his years in Santa Barbara. He worked as a meat cutter in his young life, followed by 40 years working for the gas company — and a stint in the Navy SeaBees after Pearl Harbor. His group was sent to England and Northern Ireland to repair British ships that had been damaged by the German navy.

After retirement Lloyd and his wife traveled for 20 years, coming to our area for salmon fishing every year. He loved to fish, and when his wife of 64 years died, he came here to live. After four lonely years he met Johanna Mostovoy and they became companions. Lloyd says it’s important to have someone to care for, think about and love.

Lloyd and Johanna come to the Del Norte Senior Center lunch program nearly every day to visit with their friends and enjoy a good meal.

Although Lloyd is aware of suffering and need in the world, he keeps his mind on what’s needed in the area and donates directly to local needs such as a burned out family or some other serious loss. He wants to know that his donations are going where they will do the most good. He also helps the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

A delightful man with a smile that can melt ice, he lives his philosophy in a humble, gentle and grateful manner.

Sharon McKinney lives in Crescent City and volunteers at the Del Norte Senior Center. Her e-mail is shay-jay@charter.net.