Napa County's 'Century Club' Throws A Party

Eight Napa County 100-plus-year-olds took their bows Tuesday before an appreciative crowd of about 50 friends, family and public leaders.

"You are the epitome of what I call ragin' and agin'," State Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada told Everett Welby, one of the centenarians. "There's a full life ahead for us younger folks."

Another nine centenarians couldn't make it to the 3rd annual Napa County event, held this year for the first time at the Yountville Community Center after two years at the supervisors' chambers in downtown Napa. But the names of the ones who couldn't come were read into the record anyway.

"Seventeen people 100 or over," said Napa County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht, emcee for the event. "That's pretty good for a little borough like ours."

Wagenknecht noted that three men were present Tuesday out of the eight centenarians -- a larger percentage than in past years when it was mostly women.

"Maybe Napa County men are living longer," Wagenknecht quipped. "There was a lot of humor in everyone today."

Wagenknecht and fellow supervisors Diane Dillon and Keith Caldwell presented certificates to centenarians in their respective districts, followed by certificate presentations for each from Yamida and from Tracy Krumpen, a representative of state Sen. Lois Wolk.

Present for the ceremony were:

·         Whalen Stensby, born May 11, 1912

·         Elizabeth Pschorr, born Sept. 23, 1911

·         Mildred Fern Christian, born March 24, 1910

·         Alverda Matilda Scriven, born Sept. 2, 1912

·         Margaret Crabtree, born March 7, 1913

·         Louise Barbara Sculatti, born April 3, 1912

·         Dr. Roderick Malcolm Neale, born Oct. 27, 1912

·         Everett Welby, born April 5, 1913

Rose Memmott was scheduled to be present, but was unable to attend.

Many in the group survived heavy odds and serious trauma to get to their esteemed ages.

Elizabeth Pschorr made it through the Nazi occupation in Germany during World War II and has written a memoir of her journey.

Dr. Roderick Malcome Neale worked 72 hours straight treating casualties on D Day.

And Everett Welby has bicycled the entire length of the West Coast. He still rides around town on a red scooter.

"I think I've seen you," said Supervisor Keith Caldwell in presenting Welby with his certificate.

Wagenknecht and his staff collected advice from all the centenarians about their secret to living to 100 and beyond. Good genes, positive attitude, little or no drinking or smoking, exercise and vitamins all got votes from the seniors.

"I have wine, garlic and olive oil and I walk every day," said Louise Barbara Sculatti, whose family came from the same small town in Italy as the Mondavi clan.

"I don't take advice from anyone," said Whalen Mervin Stensby.