GREENFIELD — She’s a wheelchair-racing and corn-shucking champion. She performs in a bell choir and never misses morning exercise.
And on Jan. 1, as the world rang in the new year, she rang in her 107th.
Loraine Atherton was born on New Year’s Day in 1913. Also born that year were the Federal Reserve, Ford Motor Co.’s Model T assembly line, the Panama Canal and the Lincoln Highway. It was before women could vote and both world wars.
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After more than a century, the Springhurst Health Campus resident remains sharp and energetic. Staying active is the reason behind her longevity, she says, and those who keep up with her agree.
What many would view as a milestone is hardly that to the achiever. When asked how it feels to reach 107, Atherton politely shrugged.
“Fine,” she said as she enjoyed her lunch during a celebration last week at Springhurst Health Campus, wearing a large birthday hat.
Atherton worked for Indiana Bell in Indianapolis and lived near Spring Lake. She has fond memories of sledding in Indianapolis’ Riverside Park. She and her late husband, Horace, raised daughters Marilyn, now deceased; and Pamela, who lives in New Palestine.
What’s her secret?
“I have no idea,” Atherton said with a laugh. “No one in the family lived this long.”
It likely has to do with her activity level, she continued, adding she takes part in many of the programs available at Springhurst.
And that’s her advice to others looking to follow her into the triple digits.
“Just keep active and you’ll keep-a-going,” she said.
Karen Rau-Hinton, an activities associate at Springhurst, confirmed Atherton’s love of staying active.
“She comes to exercise every single morning,” Rau-Hinton said. “Never misses exercise.”
Atherton keeps her mind sharp too, Rau-Hinton continued.
“Up until about a year ago, she played euchre and could beat anybody in euchre,” Rau-Hinton said. “Euchre was her thing.”
She continues to do crossword puzzles, Rau-Hinton said.
“She spends every spare moment of her time in her room doing crossword puzzles,” Rau-Hinton added. “She has every book.”
Coincidentally, the New York World is credited with publishing the planet’s first crossword puzzle on Dec. 21 during the same year of Atherton’s birth.
Rau-Hinton said Atherton also competes against other residents at crossword puzzles with a device that allows for group play on a television.
“She can beat anybody in that room,” Rau-Hinton said. “Her mind is that sharp.”
Atherton also performs in Springhurst’s bell choir, Rau-Hinton continued, sometimes even playing two bells at once.
“There isn’t anybody in bell choir that just totally doesn’t admire her,” Rau-Hinton said.
She always comes to Springhurst’s happy hours and spiritual gatherings and is always kind to others.
“There isn’t anybody she doesn’t meet or greet or say hello to,” Rau-Hinton said. “She’s just very uplifting.”
Chelsea Johnson, also an activities associate at Springhurst, echoed her colleague.
“She’s one of our most active residents,” Johnson said of Atherton. “She comes to pretty much everything.”
Johnson called Atherton funny and fun to be around.
“I always tell her the party doesn’t start unless she’s there,” Johnson said. “She’s just a ball of energy. She gets everybody involved; she is just a lot of fun.”
The years may have slowed Atherton down, but not by much, Johnson continued.
“She’s in a wheelchair, but she’s always speeding around,” Johnson said.
Johnson added Atherton even won a wheelchair race recently, along with a corn-shucking one.
“She’s just outstanding,” Johnson said.
