A special birthday celebration was held for Helen McMichael who turned 100-years-old at the Rosewood Estates Retirement Community in Cobourg on Monday, September 12, 2022.
Among the events was a drive-by parade at 11 a.m. that included a number of vehicles along with a police cruiser and fire truck.
At times, McMichael was overcome with emotion as one by one the vehicles drove by the entrance of Rosewood Estates honking their horns.
Cobourg Police dropped off a bouquet of flowers for the birthday girl, but the real surprise was at the end of the parade.
A Cobourg firetruck pulled up and asked if the birthday girl wanted to hop in the firetruck and work the siren.
With a bit of help, McMichael got right in the driver’s seat of the truck and with help from Captain Scott MacDonald worked the siren and the air horn and was thrilled to be in the driver’s seat.
Shortly after the parade sitting amongst of birthday balloons, McMichael said it was a ‘gorgeous” parade.
In all her life, she never thought she’d ever be in the driver’s seat of a fire truck, let alone work the siren and horn.
McMichael said her secret for longevity is exercise and having a good family.
Her grandson, Trevor Little said it was a “no brainer” coming down from Ottawa for the festivities.
“It’s a very exciting day for her.”
Like McMichael said, fitness is a thing for his grandmother and said she still goes to fitness every week and up until a few years ago would always use the stairs.
Little said along with keeping in shape his grandmother is one of the funniest people he knows.
McMichael has four children, 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
