Ashland woman celebrates 100 years
with family, friends
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney Hopkins
When Vera Steinbeck was born on May 13, 1913, the world, especially northern Maine, was far different than it is today. Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States, logs were being driven on the rivers and people lived a more simple life.
“We played outdoors then,” chuckled Ms. Vera Steinbeck 
fully aware that children today prefer to stay indoors “playing games.” She is interested in modern technology and revels at the world’s accomplishments. Wise, in line with her years, Steinbeck credits hard work with her longevity.
Steinbeck is a petite and happy woman, who looks far younger than her age dictates. She is talkative and engaged in her life and the world around her. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and remains active in her community. Living independently until the ripe age of 99, Steinbeck, along with her family, decided she shouldn’t be living alone anymore. “They” were, after all, getting too old to look after her! Less than a year ago, Steinbeck moved into the Northwood Manor, an adult family care home in Ashland. She continues to live independently and still participates in her weekly outings and excursions.
Born, raised and schooled in Masardis, Vera married a local boy, George MacDonald, and together they had four children. When she was widowed in 1959, Vera moved to Connecticut and began working at Pratt and Whitney. During those years, she met and married her second husband, Fred Steinbeck, and became the stepmother to his four children. Together they blended families and enjoyed a nice life. After his death, Steinbeck moved back to Maine in 1989 and has remained here since.
Family is very important to Steinbeck, and it’s quite obvious her family feels the same. They are a close-knit bunch, with Vera at the center of its heart. All together, Steinbeck has four children, four stepchildren, eight grandchildren, five step grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several step great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Steinbeck also played a special role in the lives of her children’s friends and children within the community. Those “children” to this day respect and hold Vera dear for the important and loving role she played in their lives.
On Saturday, May 11, 125 of her closest family and friends gathered at the home of her granddaughter, Nancy Rafford, and her husband, Mark, to celebrate her 100th birthday with an open house-style party. The home was beautifully decorated with festive birthday decorations and poster boards of world events marking each decade since her birth year of 1913. There was an abundance of warmth and laughter and everyone was enjoying themselves. The guest of honor was greeted by the partygoers and was in the center of all the activities for the duration of the party.
Family members traveled from Oregon, Virginia, Connecticut and Delaware for this very special event; all agreeing there was no place else they’d rather be. Several special trimmings to the party were a “Book of Her Life” made by her granddaughter, Nancy Rafford, along with Sue Beaulier and Alicia Rafford. Sue Fournier made a fantastically colorful and delicious fresh fruit arrangement. The special 100th birthday cake was made by Sara Bauzenberger and was scrumptious! This big event even brought the WAGM news crew out, which Steinbeck thought was quite amusing. She laughed about it saying it took her “only 100 years to make her television debut!”
It was a joyous event in which I was honored to be a part of. Vera has become a cherished friend, from whom I learn something from every day. She is an exceptional woman, who at 100 years old, still carries herself with confidence and lives each day thankful for all she has known. “Good and bad, it makes us who we are,” she often says when speaking about her life. In all of her recollections and ponderings of late, she always goes back to feelings of happiness and relates that to her family and her friends who she says “has given her life true meaning” saying “it’s all that matters after all.” Another fine lesson I can credit to Vera. She is living proof of that.
Ashland PTO Family Fun Night
The Ashland Area PTO will be hosting the “OFF-BEAT” percussion band. The award-winning ensemble from Houlton High School will perform during the Free Family Fun Night to be held at the Ashland District School auditorium Friday, May 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is a fun event for the whole family, so come on out and support your local PTO and the students from Houlton High School. Donations to the AAPTO will be accepted at the door for anyone wishing to make a donation.
Bluegrass, spaghetti supper fundraiser planned
The Ashland District High School Class of 2013 will be hosting a spaghetti supper and bluegrass concert Saturday, May 25 at the district school. The spaghetti supper will begin at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria and is by donation. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Admission is $10 per person with children under the age of 12 admitted free.
The bands scheduled to perform include the Fiddle Heads, Jewel Clark, and Wilf Clark and the Misty Mountaineers. This will be the last fund-raising event ever for the Ashland Class of 2013. Come on out to support them in their endeavor while enjoying some really good music. This is also a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to spend some time with the senior class students before graduation.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.
