Enumclaw's Oldest Citizens Hold Court

He is 91-and-a-half years old -- a born and bred Enumclaw native who traces his family's contributions in town back to when it own and ran the Enumclaw Tire Shop.

She is 96 -- originally from Parkland, Wash. -- but has made Enumclaw her home because "it's quiet."

On Wednesday, Lewis Kranz and Ida Demster were crowned Enumclaw's Oldest Citizens as part of the city's first Respect Our Elders Day.

Both Kranz and Demster were nominated for the honor, as was a third nominee who is but couldn't make the event due to health issues. So by executive decision, both seniors who were present were bestowed the honor of senior king and queen, said Enumclaw Senior Activity Center manager Jobyna Nickum.

It is the senior center's hope that both Kranz and Demster will be able to make appearances at city gatherings such as parades and festivals to represent the senior population in the city, Nickum said.

According to Nickum, the day was conceived as a way to honor local seniors who are often forgotten in today's modern society and help them be proud of who they are. "I think that we can all agree that the United States has become a culture that just values youth," she told the more than 50 people who attended Wednesday's celebration.

As an example of how seniors are sidelined, Nickum said that while city and business leaders had been asking for nominations for the past several weeks, only three people were nominated. 

In fact, she told the gathering, she asked a 95-year-old Enumclaw resident if he'd be interested in putting his name in for the running, but he declined, indicating he wasn't proud to be a senior.

"I have been blessed to work my entire life with older people," she said. "We have grown so far away from respecting our elders."

The festivities began with lunch and pie brought in by friends and loved ones, including Mayor Liz Reynolds, who told celebrants that Enumclaw is a patchwork quilt and "you guys make up a big part of our quilt."

Representatives from the Enumclaw Youth and Family Services and City Councilman Rich Elfers helped serve pie.

The Midday Melody Men serenaded attendees as they ate, and all through the afternoon, several businesses downtown -- in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce -- offered a 10 percent discount to seniors.