Press-Republican

Lifestyles

Related Photos

  • Alvin Reiner

    images_sizedimage_316230537

  • Alvin Reiner

    images_sizedimage_316230540

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
November 11, 2008

Hitting the half century: Trial or triumph?

<img src="/homepage/images_image_276103054" alt="&#149;">&nbsp;&nbsp;Woman celebrates her birth with a death of the first 50 years

By ALVIN REINER

ELIZABETHTOWN — Hidden in the dark depths of the alley between the Old Jail and Essex County Court lurked a band of mourners, many dressed in black.

As Essex County Deputy Clerk Janet Cross emerged from her car to mark her 50th birthday with what she thought would be a quiet birthday lunch, the group wound its way down the street with much fanfare.

Led by Cross's brother-in-law Ed Gryzanowski, they bestowed upon the woman a tiara, magic wand and bouquet of dead roses — festooned with spider webs — that has been presented to other members of the family on similar occasions.

With much levity, Gryzanowski treated Cross and the crowd to a eulogy to her days of yore and discoursed on her new life as "Old Janet."

He noted the benefits to which she was now entitled, such as AARP membership, senior-citizen discounts, orthopedic shoes, bran flakes and other rites of passage.

The age 50, in earlier times, was old. In fact, it was once considered average life expectancy, and, unfortunately, remains so in some third-world countries.

In the United States today, hitting that half-century mark is often just a laughing matter.

"I went to bed the night before and thought about it," mused Cross about turning 50 after her birthday "wake." "The next day when I awoke, I really didn't feel any different. When I saw what was happening (at lunchtime), I said, 'Oh, my gosh.' I couldn't believe it. It was hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing."

The merriment worked both ways.

Joyce Spooner, Cross's sister, saw the party as payback — for a birthday message Cross had put in a newspaper some 20 years earlier when her sister turned the ancient age of 32.

The event in Elizabethtown was not unique.

Birthday milestones such as 50 are big business — a plethora of humorous cards is available that poke fun at advancing age. It's almost a rarity to send a missive with sweet poetry, as was the custom in the past. There are also balloons, awards and other paraphernalia available for purchase to ratchet up the fun.

A dancing hamster sings somewhat in tune as it bleats out a jingle. A black rosette proclaims, "50 isn't Old…if You're a Tree."

There's a book entitled "Growing Old Disgracefully" that offers hints for enjoying the passage of the years.

"Perplex your children with increasingly erratic and unreasonable behavior," is one suggestion.

Word got around about Cross's tongue-in-cheek celebration — people thought it was great, she said.

Well, except for one friend who considered it morbid.

"I didn't mind turning 50," Cross said. "I like 50 better than 40. I like to be my age.

"With age comes experience and knowledge."

And sometimes, a new nickname.

Some friends and family, Cross said, now call her O.J. — for Old Janet, of course.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Recent Featured Story

Monday: Home & Garden

Home & Gardening Tips:

Tuesday: Health

Health Tips:

Ask Dr. K

Wednesday: Seniors

Senior Thoughts

Out & About

Friday: Faith & Spirituality

Terry Mattingly: On Religion

Saturday: Family