has four wheels? Eight
90-year-old ladies in
few chuckles among friends on
Friday, August 22, when a group
of eight, nonagenarian girlfriends
boarded a white, stretch limo at
the Four Seasons in Beachwood to
embark on a celebratory lunch and
sightseeing excursion to Down-
town Cleveland. This group of
lovely, engaging friends included:
Clair Barkley, Jeanne Frankel,
Betty Freed, Judy Kramer, Betty
Lawrence, Annette Markell, Ruth
Robbins and Alice Sayre.
their 90th birthdays this year. As
members of the 1942 graduating
class of Cleveland Heights High
School, they knew one another but
were not close friends as students.
was the talk of 1950s Cleveland for
killing his wife Marilyn in their Bay
Village home, was a classmate of
these ladies. They say that he was
the Heights High 1942 class pres-
ident, quarterback of the football
team, and quite the charmer with
the girls, even back in high school. .
70-year class reunions. For the past
20 years, they have been meeting
monthly for lunch while sharing
the laughter, tears, and challenges
of growing older.
bard Restaurant on Euclid Avenue,
a destination chosen because
Bruell is a classmate of one of the
lady's sons. It was also chosen as
homage to the historical signifi-
cance of the site of the restaurant,
Cleveland's once elegant premier
jewelry store.
service was impeccable. The food
was marvelous and the staff fell all
over us," said Barkley, the group's
unofficial spokesperson.
a lovely, chocolate mousse desert
with berries and whipped cream
with a candle in each to celebrate
our milestone birthdays," she
added "It was very special."
downtown Cleveland to see Public
Square, Playhouse Square and its
newly installed chandelier, Cleve-
land State University, the Medical
Mart, Euclid Corridor, Rock Hall of
Fame, site of the new Hilton Hotel
and more. Barkley told us they were
all impressed with how modern and
upscale everything looked.
has been a boon for the women.
They are all impressed with the
city's services offered to seniors.
With dozens of cultural, educa-
tional and social offerings, seniors
never need to feel homebound.
They can stay as active and as busy
as they want, continuing to enjoy
life to the fullest.
services, and giggled flirtatiously,
saying that the young firefighters
who had ably and professionally
gency situations were the "most
handsome guys around."
ladies agreed that love and family
support are critical. A few shared
that good genes, exercise, "clean
living" and avoiding smoking and
drinking were the keys. They all
agree that humor and a positive
outlook are imperative.
"We tease each other and bicker,
like all old friends do, but mostly
we just laugh. Without laughter,
life is pretty boring and sad," she
added.
driver, to cruise past Cleveland
Heights High School, which has
been remodeled and modernized
several times since the 40s. They
spontaneously launched into song
with a lively rendition of the Cleve-
land Heights High Alma Mater. On
the way home, they convinced him
to slowly drive by again, so these
loving friends who have shared so
much could break into song once
more.
· Riding the street car from
Cedar Hill to bustling Euclid
Avenue?
to sip a soda or search the
counters for satin ribbon and
sparkly hair clips?
row's Nut House that wafted
down Euclid Blvd.?
Cleveland Hotels, Kohrman's,
Hickory Grill and Gruber's, or
other spots on Short Vincent?
· Window shopping at Halle's,
Davis?
drome?
one, bought from one of the
street flower vendors?
elegant downtown jeweler?
Betty Freed and Betty Lawrence.
Sitting: Jeanne Frankel and Clair Barkley.