Alma Pope celebrated her 100 th birthday last Thursday evening, March 26 with over 100 family and friends at party in her honor at the Regency Park - luxury independent senior living community in Vero Beach. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Pope moved to Vero Beach six years ago from South Florida where she had spent the major part of her retirement years.

"This is a very special occasion for us." said Dan Simmons, Principal of Harbor Retirement Associates, LLC, the developer of Regency Park. "Alma was one of our very first residents. We continue to be amazed at how active and energetic she is."

Mrs. Pope's son, Bucky, who flew in for the party with his wife Barbara from the Philadelphia area, shared that his mother had been selected as one of the ten most beautiful women in the United Statesfor a 1936 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine, although her mother would not allow her to be photographed for the magazine. "I think she still looks pretty good! But then I am somewhat biased," he added.

Anita Legler, Mrs. Pope's daughter has been a 15 year resident of the barrier island. "I was anxious for my mother to move to Vero Beach so I could help her in her later years. However, she is pretty independent," she said. "Sometimes when I call all I get is the answering machine. She is involved in sewing classes, jewelry making, bingo, movies and a myriad of other activities."

One of Mrs. Pope's two grandchildren, Robert, Jr. drove in from Orlando for the party along with his wife and two of her six great grand children.

"What a very special night," the birthday girl said as the party came to an end. "I have such wonderful friends here. I just hope I have the energy to make it to 200 so we can do it again."

With her optimism she just might.