MDHA honors "90-Plus" Club members | 2009-09-24
The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency honored a very special group of public housing residents at the 35th annual 90-Plus Club luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, at Parthenon Towers.
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Celebrating the 2009 90-Plus Club, from left to right: Joe Sorrells, manager of Neighborhood Housing; Anette Jackson; Peaches Manning, MDHA Resident Associations coordinator; Ardie Freeman, the Club's oldest member at 105 years old; Councilwoman Erica Gilmore; Phil Ryan, MDHA executive director; Julie Miller, the Club's newest member at 90 years old; Lula Waters; and Nonnie True. |
This year, 20 residents aged 90 and older were recognized, including three who are older than 100. The oldest resident, Ardie Freeman, is 105. Honorees were entertained by the Elizabeth Center Senior Dancers and by noted Nashville dramatist Sherre Miller Bishop performing as "Sistah Willie Ruth Johnson." Limousine transportation to and from the event was provided for 90-Plus Club members by businessman Richard Lewis.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us each year to pay tribute to these residents and the wisdom and history they represent," said MDHA Executive Director Phil Ryan. "They serve as inspirations to the younger generations, and they also inspire us to make all our communities the best they can be."
MDHA has placed a great emphasis in recent years on its seven high-rise properties for the elderly and disabled. Newly redesigned "loft" units have incorporated modern elements that appeal to today's seniors and baby-boomers, such as central heating and cooling systems, improved floor-space utilization, new kitchen appliances, and other major energy-efficiency innovations.
The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency is the municipal entity charged with the implementation and oversight of a variety of federal, state and local housing and community development and urban development programs in Nashville. Its primary missions are serving the needs of the city’s low-and moderate-income citizens and the elimination and prevention of blight. The Agency was established in 1938.
