Ladies Celebrate 100 Year Old Members

One month after Elise Garretson turned 100 on July 22 and one week before Camilla Jewett reaches the same milestone, an organization with which both women long volunteered threw them a birthday party on Monday.

"It is really such an honor to have you here," said Nancy Andrews, the president of the , to the centenarians. "You have both shown a great commitment to LVIS. We admire you so much and your dedication to us."

Jewett became a member of the organization in 1942. Garretson joined later in 1969.

The have over 110 years of service helping to preserve the village between them both.

Garretson, who first started coming to Springs from Malverne in the 1940s, made a niche for herself in the books department back when it was run out of a garage on Newtown Lane, then later a small shop off the same street opposite the old A&P.

Whether it was helping locals or the likes of Walter Mathau, Anne Jackson or Eli Wallach, Garretson find books, Andrews said Garretson could hold court with anyone. 

It wasn't all that long ago that Garretson was working the busy Saturdays at , now located in the Gardiner Brown House; She volunteered until she was 96.

Four years later she is still a much-missed volunteer, Andrews said before the group of about 20 ladies at the party.

Garretson replied: "I miss it too."

"She would still like to be coming," her daughter Susan Winkler said. Physical ailments have kept her in the house, though Winkler said her mother heals incredibly, to which she credits the longevity.

Harriet Peele, who is 85 and came to the party for her longtime friend, said Garretson is "a good lady," who always kept busy. She sang in the choir at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton, of which they are both members, until a few years ago, too.

"She likes a good time," Peele said with a laugh. 

Though her voice is raspy and weak, Garretson didn't miss a beat. "All that's missing is the wine and the dancers."

Jewett, who will celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 30, is a fixture at the annual , including the 115th one that took place last month. 

For her work in preserving the village, particularly Town Pond, across from her house, the on Friday. "This is the greatest village in the world -- one of them anyway -- and this is the greatest organization," she said.

Alice Ham of East Hampton Village, another longtime member of LVIS, joined in the celebration. She turned 103 recently.

"Tomorrow's another day that's all. You don't think about it," she said when asked the key to living so long.  

She said she wanted to be there for Jewett, a good friend for over 50 years. "I've lost a lot of friends, but I still have a few that are up there in years."

Ham said she expects Jewett to continue living a full life. "She's like me, she keeps going."