Celebrating a centennial

Wayne County resident Raymond ‘Ray’ Naholnik marks his 100th birthday

By JEFFREY SIDLE
Posted 2/15/23

HAWLEY, PA — For many people, February 1 is one step closer to spring, or it’s the eve of Groundhog Day. But for Ray Naholnik, it has a more personal meaning—it’s his …

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Celebrating a centennial

Wayne County resident Raymond ‘Ray’ Naholnik marks his 100th birthday

Posted

HAWLEY, PA — For many people, February 1 is one step closer to spring, or it’s the eve of Groundhog Day. But for Ray Naholnik, it has a more personal meaning—it’s his birthday.

And this year it was a big one—it marked his 100th trip around the sun. His three daughters, Sandy Culp, Jeannie Torrick and Sherrie Miller, as well as staff from the Adult Daily Living Center in Hawley, made the arrangements to celebrate this momentous occasion. They also decorated the room for the occasion.

Raymond “Ray” Naholnik was born February 1, 1923 in Mayfield. When he was around 10 years old, Ray’s family relocated to a farm in Waymart. Upon his father’s passing, Ray continued to help his mother run the farm. He married his beloved wife, the late Dorothy, in 1944 and the couple purchased their own farm in Lake Ariel. Together they raised four children. Ray now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Ray worked in the plumbing and heating trade until he retired in his 60s. He previously attend the Hamlin Senior Center and currently attends the Adult Daily Living Center in Hawley. He enjoys dancing, pinochle and solitaire.

Ray was presented with citations for reaching this milestone from PA Sen. Rosemary Brown, PA Rep. Joe Adams, Wayne County chief clerk Andrew Seder on behalf of the Wayne County commissioners, and Hawley mayor John Nichols. Adams joked with Ray, trying to get him to pick his favorite color between the blue citation issued by Brown or the green one offered by himself. Ray was politically correct and didn’t offer his preference!

Nichols took it a bit further with his citation, ending with his proclamation, “I, John Nichols, Mayor, do hereby declare February 1, 2023 as Raymond Naholnik Day in the Town of Hawley, Pennsylvania.”

A beautiful cake donated by Lake Region IGA was served to those in attendance.

The staff of the county’s senior centers do a wonderful job of catering to the needs of the senior citizens of the county. The primary mission of the county’s Area Agency on Aging is to enhance the lives of aging adults by promoting independence and choice, and by empowering seniors through partnerships and programs that improve and grow home and community-based services.

Services are offered at senior centers in northern Wayne/Lakewood, Hamlin, Hawley and Honesdale. For more information visit www.WayneCountyPA.gov.

Ray Naholnik, 100th birthday, aging

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