Akron’s North Hill community came together to celebrate its residents aged 95 and older at a birthday party hosted by Ward 2 Council Member Phil Lombardo. The event, held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, featured live entertainment from local jazz musician Patrick Munford and a complimentary ravioli dinner.
Celebrating Life and Love
For Dave and Katherine Zampelli, the secret to a long and happy life is true love. The couple, who graduated from North High School in 1954 and 1956 respectively, were among the guests of honor at the party. Ray Johns, a WWII veteran who will turn 101 in August, credits keeping active as his key to a long life. He works out nearly every day at the Natatorium in Cuyahoga Falls.
Adelina Zampelli, who graduated from Amador High School in 1950, swears by a glass of red wine, while Burja Magar, 104, emphasizes the importance of healthy food. Magar, who was born in Nepal and moved to North Hill in 2010, wants to live another 30 years. JoAnn Anderson, 93, believes that helping others is the key to a long and fulfilling life. As she said, ‘God has a way of putting people in your life to help you keep on living.’
The celebration also featured live Fourth of July-themed bingo, with prizes including front-door signs and a red, white and blue cowboy hat. The guests, clad in corsages and boutonnieres, posed for a group picture and enjoyed the complimentary dinner and cake.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
