Legacy Letters

By Karen Everett Watson Special to the Press Tribune

 

 

      Harriet Antonides grew up in rural Michigan – too far from town to join a Girl Scout Troop.

      “I heard about all the great times they had,” said Antonides, a resident of Eskaton Village Roseville. “And I just loved going camping. It made me so jealous!”

     Lisa McCurdy, Eskaton Roseville’s director of resident services got wind of Antonides’ desire and nominated her for “Thrill of a Lifetime.” On April 10, just five days after her 100th birthday, Antonides was invested as a Girl Scout by members of the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council during a presentation at Eskaton Village in Roseville.

     Antonides had a stage view of a vintage fashion show, showing    100 years of Girl Scout uniforms. There was also an investiture ceremony presented by the Scouts, including two of her great-granddaughters.

     “My daughter was a Brownie,” she said. “I think that Scouts teach the girls independence and give them a feeling of self worth.”

      A crowd of 75 people, including numerous news crews and journalists watched as Sarah Rodriguez, 11, and Rebecca Rodriguez, 8, presented their great-grandmother with her sash and pin. Her sash was inscribed with Troop No. 1912, the year the Girl Scouts were founded.

     After the ceremony, Antonides was overwhelmed with questions from the media. When 6-year-old Tiya Tapadiya got her chance to approach Antonides, the young Girl Scout gave her a handmade gift of a “SWAPS.”

     Girl Scout Leader Tammy Hendy explained the gift.

     “It stands for a ‘Special Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned Somewhere’ that the girls make themselves,” she said.

The new centenarian said she didn’t think turning 100 would be such a big deal.

     “They’ve been celebrating my birthday for the past two weeks,” she said. “Once it was here, it turned out to be very exciting.”

Antonides had a large celebration with friends and family.           

     Eskaton hosted another large celebration.

Antonides said she doesn’t know why she’s lived so long but believes her “happy life and good genes” might have something to do with it.

     Her advice for living a happy life: “Never look back on things that were bad,” she said. “Always look to the future and never give up!”