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Reuben Street’s longest resident enters 100th year

June 29, 2016   ·   0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Hot dogs, ice cream and popcorn sometimes get a bad rap, but talk to Doris Videan and she’ll tell you otherwise.
While it might not be a recipe for longevity, per se, they are certainly three good reasons to get up in the morning.
Ms. Videan recently indulged in these tasty treats the day before welcoming four generations of her family, and a healthy delegation of neighbours, and Mayor Geoff Dawe, into her long-time home to mark her 99th Birthday.
These days, when we say “long-time home,” we might mean 50 or 60 years, tops.
But this is not the case with Ms. Videan. In fact, she has lived in her Reuben Street home for 97 of her 99 years. Topping that, she has lived on Reuben Street her entire life, having been born just two doors down, moving into her present home, bought by her uncle in 1911, when she was just two-years-old.
It was here that she grew up, raised her daughters, and watched her grandchildren, and her growing band of great-grandchildren, grow up and come into their own.
“I came here when I was two years of age and I’m 99 now – I don’t want to leave until I have to,” said Ms. Videan with a chuckle. “I feel comfortable here.”
She held court earlier this month in a living room surrounded by family photos and artwork painted by her late husband. It was the day after an outdoor service held jointly at Town Park by Aurora United Church and Trinity Anglican Church when they got a whiff of the popcorn and grilled hot dogs.
Peals of laughter rang out between Doris and friend Beverley Wood as they regaled the crowd about keeping their tummies from rumbling until the end of the service – after all, it’s just good manners.
And, when Mayor Dawe arrived to present her with her congratulatory plaque on behalf of Council, she immediately had a few bones to pick with him about the Yonge Street parking situation.
“Doris is a legend,” said Ms. Wood of her friend, whose father was once secretary treasurer of Collis Leather. “We have just had the best history lesson on Aurora ever. She is so special. She comes to church every Sunday and I just don’t think I have ever met a person with a smile like that. Four generations here [for her birthday] is what Aurora is all about.”

         

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