Helen Koziel. Contributed photo.
Orange resident Helen Koziel will be celebrating her 104th birthday in September. Koziel continues to comply with COVID-19, although she keeps in virtual contact with her family and friends through modern technology. She is well, and, typically, intends to keep her friends and family virus-free too, by forgoing any large birthday party gatherings this year.
As a result, Koziel’s family is planning a drive-by birthday celebration this year at the High Plains Community Center in Orange.
Koziel will be in front of the building on Orange Center Road in Orange on Saturday, Sept. 26 between 1 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 27. Well-wishers are encouraged to rive by and honk for her as they pass.
Koziel often comments that she feels blessed to have a close, loving family and supportive, true friends. She would like all of them to know that, although they are missed, the memories of lively conversations and fun times together make her smile and help her to have a positive attitude during the pandemic.
Although pandemic regulations are restricting many of Koziel’s activities, she participates in exercise programs media-streamed by Orange Government Access Television as well as those offered by the YMCA. She also takes walks outside close to home with her Ladies of the Lake neighbors, and meets with her “on-temporary-leave” Beth El Soup Kitchen volunteers, the Soup Chic’s, in the open pavilion behind the Milford Library.
Koziel does have a few birthday wishes. She hopes that people act with patience, empathy and respect toward each other always, but that we all make a special effort during these challenging pandemic times. She asks that we strive to trust in God, unconditionally love our families and friends, help the less fortunate and smile, even if it has to be behind a mask.