When I visited with Evelyn Jones of “downtown” Victory recently, she was preparing to go on two senior citizen trips in the next few weeks, working at a church supper, going to two senior citizen club meetings in the same week, helping at a funeral luncheon, attending a birthday party for a friend near Buffalo and getting ready for a visit from her niece from Williamsville. Whew! What a busy schedule she has.

Turning 90 years young Oct. 16 has not slowed Evelyn down a bit. She is one of the sweetest, most pleasant and cheerfully helpful people around Victory. She has had one of the best memories of “days gone by” in Victory of anyone I know. She does now use her scrapbooks, diaries and souvenir programs to help jog that memory at times.

Evelyn is the daughter of the late Fred and Lulu Timerson Jones who had a farm north of Victory. She graduated from Hannibal High School Class of 1935 and from Oswego Normal School Class of 1939. She still has the graduation program from Oswego showing she completed the “general elementary course.” Evelyn taught several years at the Thompson school district just north of Victory. She also worked in area canning factories during harvest season and for 15 years at the Cato Show Printing Company from which she retired in 1983.

Evelyn attends luncheons once or twice a year with former “Show Print” colleagues. She also attends a “Victory girls” luncheon once a year with friends who grew up around Victory years ago.

Evelyn was also very active in the Victory Grange No. 1216. She received a prestigious citizenship award in 1999 celebrating more than 65 years of service. Years ago, the grange held many dramatic productions. There was even a “Victory Dramatic Club.” Two such productions were the “Man in the Green Hat” and “Happy Valley.” Evelyn many times had parts in these plays.

Evelyn's family had an early birthday party for her in the church dining room on Sunday, Oct. 7, after church to celebrate her 90th birthday. She'll probably be celebrating this week too. The whole community, family and friends wish her a very happy birthday and many more to come.

I was recently appointed Victory town historian for which I am honored. I'm going to have an open house at the Victory History Center (old Grange hall), Route 38 across from the firehouse from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. Come in and see what's new and enjoy some local musical entertainment. The public is welcome.

The Victory firemen will also have one of their delicious chicken barbecues at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 (eat in or take out). So you can have lunch and come across the road to the see the historical memorabilia of Victory.

Just a reminder, the Veteran's Day Program in Victory will start at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the firehouse. The public and all veterans are invited to attend.

Beverly Sayles was recently appointed Victory town historian.