Happy birthday, Norma
Weekly columnist Norma Hannaford will celebrate her 101st birthday next week. She probably holds the title as being the oldest newspaper columnist in Kansas. She's an inspiration to younger writers, proving there's always something to write about and things to learn.
Great-granddaughter Jill Hannaford, a senior at Marion High School, wrote the following essay about Norma as part of a school project.
"My hero is my great-grandmother Norma Hannaford. She will be turning 101 years old in April. I admire her because she is such an intelligent woman who reads constantly. She writes a column in our local newspaper each week, usually covering a book she has read or something that is happening in the world news.
"It is amazing to me how she has kept so young not only in her heart but in her mind. She writes me notes of encouragement and praise always giving little bits of advice for a successful life. She still lives at home by herself. She is loved and respected by so many people that are constantly stopping by to bring her food, a new book to read, or just to have tea and to visit.
"She is also a very Christian woman who has read the Bible through several times. Whenever I have questions about things that have happened in the past such as the Titanic, living without electricity, inventions, prices of items, etc., she can always provide wonderful stories abut her growing-up years.
"When I was a little girl I would often stay with her. She would play school with me, doctor, teach me how to play the piano, and card games. She even had a tea party for me and invited all of my girlfriends. Holidays and family are very important to her.
"She was a businesswoman in the title industry when it wasn't popular to be a working woman. She was a very successful career woman and a mother of three children."
