At least, those years beyond "the horse-and-buggy" days, she said.

"The Lord still has duties for me, and I love doing them," she said during her birthday celebration at HarborPlace retirement community on Thursday.

The event brought 200 HarborPlace residents, Vogel's family and some of the St. Lucie Mets together for a day of music, food and fun.

"Leona always says good things about everybody," said daughter-in-law Jan Vogel. "Every morning she gets up and asks the Lord to be a blessing to someone."

June Travis, Vogel's 89-year-old sister, drove down from Jacksonville to celebrate the event. Travis said that when she told her sister she was wonderful, she responded with her usual humor by saying, "I know."

To honor Vogel's long life of doing good deeds, HarborPlace flew 106 American flags in front of the cook-out celebration. Vogel said that when she saw the flags, she thought the city was having a parade.

Mets players Nick Carr and Tim Stronach remarked how they enjoyed sharing experiences and stories with HarborPlace residents because many of them have been Mets fans for 80 years.

"It's nice to mingle with people who support us," said Carr.

Vogel, who has 30 great-grandchildren, said one of her fondest memories in her long life is when she went on her honeymoon to Washington, D.C., in a Model-T Ford.

HarborPlace manager Kathy Kalck reported that the birthday event was the result of a team effort by Harbor Place staff to instill pride in their residents for the contributions they have made through their lives.

"For all those wonderful residents who turn 100 or more, we give a party," she said.

HarborPlace resident Betty Shultz, 102, said that celebrating Leona was wonderful because a party brings family spirit to the retirement community.

By Larry Baileyfor The Port St Lucie News
Friday, May 9, 2008