Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
EAST LONGMEADOW — Gloria Hogan, at 102 years old, is the oldest resident of East Longmeadow. As such, the Golden Cane was bestowed on her at a May 23 ceremony at the Pleasant View Senior Center.
The cane is one of 700 that were created by the Boston Post newspaper and distributed to towns around New England in 1909 with the intention that the canes be passed down to the oldest resident in each town.
Surrounded by family from as far away as Kentucky, Hogan received a proclamation from the state House of Representatives, delivered by state Rep. Brian Ashe, and another from the state Senate, presented by Jennifer Pickering, the district director for state Sen. Jacob Oliveira. Town Council President Ralph Page presented Hogan with the cane, while Council on Aging Director Erin Koebler affixed a pin to her jacket. Town Manager Tom Christensen, Historical Commission member Tom Behan and former Council on Aging Director Carolyn Brennan were all on hand to praise Hogan.
Koebler said Hogan was “the youngest 102-year-old I’ve ever met.” When asked the secret to her longevity, Hogan said, “You have to eat right. Good food, no drinking,” then quipped, “I know, I’m ruining your day.” She later joked, “I don’t want to give away all the secrets.”
