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Whiting Woman Celebrates 105th Birthday
By Kim Fink
 | | --Photo By Kim Fink Myrtle Quair is 105. |
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For Myrtle Quair, a day of prayer, song and laughter was the just what the doctor ordered as she joined over 500 guests at America's Keswick, Whiting, to celebrate her 105th birthday at their monthly community hymnsing last Thursday.
America's Keswick, an addiction recovery and Christian conference center, has been hosting Quair's birthday celebration for the last three years as a thank you to her for all she has done for the center.
"She has been a great friend to the ministry," said Keswick's Assistant Marketing Director Dina Seaton, who helped plan the event.
"We have a community hymnsing every month so friends and neighbors in the Whiting area can come out and gather for an afternoon of singing and Bible reading, but today's birthday celebration is extra special," said Seaton.
Quair was presented with her cake halfway through the service but was not at all surprised.
"They've been making me a cake each year since I was 103," laughed Quair, "and I'm sure they'll make me one next year for my 106th!"
Still active and energetic, Quair joked that the only thing she can not do any longer is drive. "At some point, you have to stop doing that," she said with a smile. "I don't think anyone would let me anyway."
When asked the secret to long life, Quair said she's uncertain of the answer.
"People ask me that all the time. I really don't know," said Quair, but then added eating healthy food might have something to do with it. "I grew up in the country so maybe that's part of it."
Recent studies show that a large percentage of Centurions (persons over the age of 100) grew up on farms eating only fresh produce, meats and dairy. It is believed that the absence of processed foods might contribute to their ability to fight off disease and slow the aging process.
Helping Quair celebrate her special day were her daughter and son in law, who were happy to be attending the event at America's Keswick again this year.
"It is very kind of them to do this for my mom each year," said Quair's daughter Jean, who now lives with in Haddonfield.
America's Keswick, which has been in existence for over 100 years, is located on Route 530 in Whiting and resides on over 600 acres of land complete with a lake, beach area, bike trails, swimming pool, church and bookstore. The Addiction Recovery center is 120-day treatment program open to any male who is suffering from addiction.
For more details on treatment or upcoming Christian retreats, call 732-350-1187.
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