Beaverton has its very own Blue Zone and it is located at Laurel Parc at Bethany Village

Did you know that there are unique places in the world called Blue Zones? These are areas of the world that have the highest population of people who are 100 years of age and older! Well known Blue Zone communities include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. Although not official, there is a Blue Zone community right here in Beaverton that boasts 8 individuals who are 100+ in age!

Introducing Laurel Parc at Bethany Village where the eight centenarians call home. In addition to Fran Saylor (102) and Mac Champagne (103), we celebrate six others.

We celebrate you!

• Introducing Dorothy Sato, born May 24, 1923, in Carlise, WA. In 1950 at the age of 27, she got married and moved to Oregon humorously saying she was such a city girl that when they moved out to country, her husband didn’t even know what chickens ate! She says her greatest accomplishment was raising her three kids. Her advice to them: live each day and be honest with each other
• Irv Adler was born on August 7, 1924, in Chicago, IL. He moved to Oregon in 1989 to be with his daughters. His greatest accomplishment was automating a medical lab and his advice to young folk is to take the time to reach out to your friends. Good advice!
• Meet Pinky Sande, born August 7, 1924, in Osseo, WI. She moved to Beaverton in 2002, and when asked what she enjoyed most about life, “raising my two children,” she said. “Get all the education you can” is her advice, “and think carefully about your decisions.”
• Mel Hayes was born June 18, 1922, in Osawatomie, KS. He moved to Beaverton about 14 years ago after his wife passed away. What was the most exciting part of life? Flying a P51 Mustang in WW2 for 35 missions! It must have also been scary because his advice to you is to keep your feet on the ground and decide where you want to go. Then do it!
• Let’s meet Len Mascall who was born February 18, 1924, in Ashland, OR. Len has always lived in Oregon and enjoyed working on planes in the Navy. He says young people should work on themselves and furthere their education.
• The talented Lavelle Haas was born August 9, 2024, in St. Lawrence, SD. As a youngster in Miller, SD, she learned to play the trombone. “When I wanted to play an instrument my mother would go door to door and ask people to look in their attic for an old instrument I could play… someone found a trombone and gave it to me.” She moved to Oregon when she got married in the service in 1969. She encourages others to give more meaning to their marriages. “Take it more seriously,” she says, “and not friviously.” Words to the wise.

I would like to thank Lisa Cianni for her help in putting this wonderful story together.

For more information about these centenarians, contact Lisa Cianni at Lisa@laurelparc.com. Laurel Parc is located at 15850 NW Central Dr, Portland Call (503) 506-2426 or visit www.laurlparc.com.