Local resident Alice McKitterick is 100 years young.
She celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 27 in the Olds Legion with more than 100 family members and friends.
The crowd included four of her five children -- Don Smith of Kelowna, Gord Smith of Drayton Valley, and Kathy Smith-McDonald and Royle Smith of Edmonton. Her fifth child, Cliff, of Hope, B.C., was unable to make it.
Also in the crowd were spouses as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Special guests included Mayor Mike Muzychka; Staff Sgt. Jim MacDonald, the commanding officer of the Olds RCMP; and Pastor John Lentz of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
"It's special occasions like this that really make this job that I've taken on over the past year very, very special to me, " Muzychka said as he congratulated McKitterick and wished her happy birthday.
Staff Sgt. McDonald presented McKitterick with a binder featuring messages of congratulation from the Queen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gov. Gen. Julie Payette and many others.
McDonald remarked on what tremendous shape McKitterick is for a centenarian.
"I feel I'm a little scammed in the situation. When I came here, I expected to see and meet Alice maybe in a wheelchair and a walker. And then she gave me a bear hug that crushed my ribs and I think cracked my back," he said, sparking loud laughter.
"I've been informed that he couldn't make it today, but Mozart's birthday was 300 years ago," McDonald added. "You were in kindergarten together I think."
McDonald also pointed out McKitterick was born the same year a law was passed renaming the national police force the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Its former name had been the Royal North West Mounted Police.
Great-granddaughters Taryn Smith, Teagan Smith and their cousin Kara recited a poem for the occasion, holding up the letters to spell her name.
"G: Gives great hugs every time we come and visit.
"R: Rolo ice cream bars she always has in her freezer.
"A: Always up for a visit.
"M: Makes the best apple pie.
"I: I love you.
"E: Everyone is always welcome at her house," they said. "Happy 100th birthday Gramie, we love you very much."
The whole crowd sang Happy Birthday.
The highlight occurred when grandson Garry Smith presented McKitterick, an intense hockey fan, with a Calgary Flames jersey featuring the number 100 as well as "Gramie" on the back.
"Something you can wear while you're watching Hockey Night in Canada," he said as he displayed the jersey.
"I had two choices for teams. I ended up going with the one from Calgary," Smith said.
"Part of the reason why I got the Calgary one was that even though there was going to be a better deal on the one from Edmonton this year because of the team's quality," he said, sparking laughter. "The numbers in Edmonton would only go as high as 97 or 99," he added, sparking even more laughter and applause.
McKitterick put the jersey on and left it on for the remainder of the gathering.
On behalf of McKitterick, MC Don Smith read a written thank-you note she had prepared.
"This party is wonderful, but the best part for me is to see my family together again. It makes me think of all the happy years we had when you were all growing up. Those were the best years of my life," she wrote.
"There are many more of us now with spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am so proud of you all and I love you more than words can say.
"There are many friends and relatives here today who were part of the good times and the bad times. We have shared a wonderful life and I have been truly blessed in so many ways.
"I hope that all of you live to be 100 too."
Regrets from relatives as far away as Australia were read.
