Staying out of the gutter, and aged to perfection

Ask any 85 year old what they would like to do for their birthday celebration and you probably would get many answers other than, let’s go bowling! This is exactly what Rita Harper chose to do for her 85 birthday celebration.

Last Saturday Harper not only celebrated birthday number 85, but she also teamed up with her friend Nancy Gressang to bowl in a tournament at Rimrock Lanes. She stated that one of the most paramount events of the day was receiving balloons that had “Aged to Perfection” printed on it. Harper said a dear friend made her day with these balloons and the message made her feel grand.

According to Harper, she and Gressang “didn’t win the tournament or anything real good like that.” She continued that they had a very “mediocre day” on the lanes.

Harper moved to Thompson Falls when she was 73 years old from the northeast Calif. foothills region, to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Jim Rolleri. This is when she took up bowling. “Since I am a widow, my daughter told me I would like bowling and it would give me something to do something with my time.” So Harper listened, and has been hitting the lanes for the past 12 years.

Harper says the secret to life is to be active. “I have a big yard and have gotten awards from the town for having a nice yard,” she said. Harper enjoys keeping fit by working outside in addition to her bowling exercise regimen.

After the tournament Harper joined her family members for dinner; those present were her daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enthusiastically commented that she has three children, eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. When asked about her fondest memory, Harper stated that last June the family had a reunion and everyone was there. She cherishes her family and that was a special time for her.

As for bowling, Harper is going to keep knockin’ down pins until she simply cannot do it any longer.