100 -- Palmer's newest centenarian celebrates

PALMER -- One hundred years ago, John Dolenc breathed his first breath in Sweetwater, Minn., and today he remains an active and productive member of both the Palmer Senior Center and the community of Palmer at large.

A special celebration held on the last day of April commemorated the great event.

The ceremony kicked off with a troupe of costumed singers parading through the common room of the Senior Center, singing a song of their own invention to the accompaniment of an enthusiastically-strummed guitar, followed by speeches given by John's friends and local dignitaries.

The party's speeches focused as much on how far Dolenc has to go as on how far he has come. "A good title for the day would be 'John Dolenc's First Hundred Years,'" said Dave Matthews for the Senior Center. "And it's been a fabulous first hundred years.

"John is older than income tax, World War I, radio and most household appliances," Matthews said. "He has persevered through all the trials and tribulations of life with the aim of achieving this goal."

Chuck Logson, a longtime resident of the center, said he was constantly engaged in a good-natured battle of ages with Dolenc, the center's oldest resident, but that he would gladly concede his senior the victory on this special day.

"John's many contributions to the center and the community of Palmer have been greatly appreciated," Logson commented, adding that Dolenc had been instrumental in the founding of the Palmer Senior Center. "He was here at the start, and he's still active today in the center."

Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper equated the very nature of Palmer itself with the nature of Dolenc's contribution to the city.

"If you like Palmer, you can thank John; if you don't, then you can blame John," he quipped.

Cooper proceeded to present Dolenc with a proclamation of gratitude from Palmer as well as the key to the city. However, Cooper downplayed the importance of these tangible rewards in favor of the company of good friends.

"The true testament to John's contribution to this community is not the accolades we give him, but the presence of so many of his friends," Cooper said to the crowded room.

Palmer City Council member John Combs added his own praise for the man of the hour, saying that he was proud to call himself a member of Dolenc's community.

Mat-Su Borough Mayor Tim Anderson also turned out for the momentous occasion.

"It's really an honor to be here," he said. "It's an honor to see people here in the community that are inspired to put a center like this together." Anderson praised Dolenc's impressive record of service and stated his hope that he would continue to serve as an example to Palmer residents of all ages.

Dolenc's distinguished achievements during his almost 40 years in the Valley include seats on the Borough Assembly, the Planning Commission and the Palmer City Council, as well as designing a logo for the Palmer Lions Club, thinking up the gate that now opens onto Palmer Cemetery, and developing the house numbering system currently used across the city. Prior to his time in Palmer, he worked to help build the Mount Edgecumbe Air Station, a task made all the more urgent by the dawn of the Second World War, during which he wanted to join the Navy, but was told that he could serve his country better by helping to complete the crucial air base.

Dolenc himself was mild in his assessment of the day. "Being a hundred years old isn't everything it's cracked up to be," he joked. "If you keep at it long enough, you just get it right."

Dolenc credited his many years to the great number of blessings the community had bestowed upon him, as well as simple old-fashioned good luck and stubbornness.

"There's nothing you can do about it," Dolenc said of his illustrious centennial. "It comes along whether you like it or not."

Dolenc completed the celebration by cutting his birthday cake, which was bedecked with images of a sailing ship and pine trees, but no candles. "The Fire Marshal wouldn't allow that many candles," Matthews joked.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.