Lakewoods Oldest Sweetheart Celebrates 106th Birthday in Fine Fashion
Art Mone has lived at Crestmont North Nursing Facility for almost five years. When Art moved to Crestmont North at age 101 I was amazed to learn that he didn't need eyeglasses to read the fine print of the newspaper. He continues to amaze me because still does not need them at age 106! On Friday, February 5th Art celebrated his 106th birthday in fine fashion. Many local businesses contributed to help make the event very special for Art.
Art wore a beautiful suit and tie to the event and was accompanied by his friend, Maureen Carey of Magnificat high school. Chas Geiger saw to it that Art's suit fit him by making several trips to Crestmont North and bringing his Master Tailor, John Battista (born and trained in Italy) so that Art could be fitted for his new suit without having to make several trips to Geigers, something that is not easy for a 106 year old. Geigers provided a beautiful tie to complete Art's look and Brennans Florist on Madison provided Art with a beautiful red rose boutineer. Husband-and-wife team musical guests, "Heart To Heart" provided music for the occassion. Giant Eagle bakery provided a full sheet cake complete with Art's picture (for Art's guests to share) and Olive Garden in Elyria provided their wonderful "Black Tie Mousse Cake" for Art (as they did last year for Art's 105th birthday). Outback Steakhouse in Westlake provided Art with a steak dinner for the second year in a row and Malleys gave Art LOTS of chocolate (a favorite of Art's and, perhaps, his secret to longevity). In fact, later that day Art traveled to Malley's on Brookpark Rd. for a photo shoot. Art will be featured in Malley's annual Easter catalog along with several other prominant Clevelanders (wearing bunny ears)! For participating in the photo shoot Malley's gave Art LOTS MORE chocolate.
Art was very active in sports in his younger years playing golf, tennis, football and participated in Golden Gloves boxing. Art has traveled throughout the world and is still very active in the nursing home, attending a variety of physical activities and weekly happy hour with live entertainment. I tell everyone, "He has the handshake of a twenty-year old!" Art has many relationships with his peers and staff (who give him chocolate daily) who all know that Art is an increddible, polite gentleman. Staff were asked to describe him and used words such as awesome, charming, thankful and strong.
I will not be surprized if I find myself writting about this remarkable man on his 107th birthday in 2011. Don't forget to look for Art in the Malley's Easter catalog.