100 Years Loved: Pattersonville woman celebrates centennial with parade
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - L: A participant waves to Erma Stankavage and family. R: Erma Stankavage watches from her home.
PATTERSONVILLE – It wasn’t quite the celebration Erma Stankavage envisioned a year ago, but it was the best the coronavirus pandemic could allow for her centennial.
Stankavage was born on Dec. 26, 1920, and, a year ago, she had said she wanted a significant celebration — a party with a polka band.
Her granddaughter, Tiffany Kulpowicz, with best friend Renee McGee’s assistance, wanted to make that dream a reality this year.
Though, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, such a celebration couldn’t happen, but the two, with the help of friends, family, and the Ringtown Valley community, wouldn’t let Stankavage’s centennial go without any celebration.
Today, the two organized a parade past her Pattersonville Road home.
Decorations adorned the front yard of her home as Stankavage gazed through a pair of floor-to-ceiling windows. Stankavage was surrounded by cards, wearing a 100th birthday T-Shirt. Signs were decorated with photos and tributes.
Led by Union Township Police, the parade of several dozen participants proceeded past the home. Participants waved and delivered gifts and cards. One of the participants included Santa Claus himself, along with UTVs, a cab-over tractor trailer, and Ringtown Valley fire apparatus.
Kulpowicz and McGee expressed appreciation for the turnout.
“She’s so happy right now,” McGee told the Sentinel referring to Stankavage.
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