Fredonia resident honored on 100th birthday
Century celebration
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Bina Todd, a Fredonia resident, celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday at the Fredonia First Methodist Church with several dozen guests.
Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson, right, issued a proclamation to celebrate Bina Todd’s 100th birthday on Friday.
Bina Todd is pictured on her 100th birthday with her family, some of whom traveled hundreds of miles to visit for the occasion.
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Bina Todd, a Fredonia resident, celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday at the Fredonia First Methodist Church with several dozen guests.
Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson, right, issued a proclamation to celebrate Bina Todd’s 100th birthday on Friday.
Bina Todd is pictured on her 100th birthday with her family, some of whom traveled hundreds of miles to visit for the occasion.
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Never has a birthday meant more to Bina Todd than the one she celebrated on Friday.
She was not only surrounded by dozens of her friends and her family. She also wore a tiara and a sash to highlight the significance of this birthday most of all.
Bina Todd turned 100 years old on Friday. The dining hall of the Fredonia First Methodist Church was full of guests to commemorate the occasion, from the regulars she dines with every Wednesday and Friday for senior meals to her family who traveled from out of town to attend the celebration.
"This is such a surprise. ... This is just fantastic," Todd said to a crowd of guests.
Todd remarked how happy she was that her family traveled from hundreds of miles away to visit her on her birthday. She then addressed the crowd, stating, "I love seeing all of you people every (week.) You are my friends that I have made since I have been here in Fredonia."
Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson presented Todd with a proclamation to highlight her "decades of wisdom, strength, and love". The proclamation stated that Todd "has blessed this world with her vibrant spirit, dedication, and grace for 100 remarkable years." Ferguson brought a rose along with the proclamation and presented both to her in front of the room full of several dozen guests.
Todd is originally from Watertown, but relocated to Fredonia when her daughter, who is also named Bina, attended SUNY Fredonia. Todd has two daughters, Bina and Ruth Ann. She had a long career in banking and a passion for fashion, which was on full display on Friday with her tiara and sash that read, "100 & Fabulous".
Ferguson stated the Village of Fredonia extends its "warmest congratulations and highest esteem to Bina Todd on the grand occasion of her 100th Birthday."
The event was organized by Catherine Derucher. Knowing that Bina Todd was a regular at the Church's senior meals twice a week, Derucher wanted to celebrate the monumental occasion for Todd, along with her friends and family.
Fredonia First Methodist Church hosts seniors for a meal twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays, with assistance from the Office for Aging Services. Starting in November, the Church will also host Meals on Wheels, and later this year, a Senior Food Pantry will be established on-site. For reservations for senior meals, call (716) 679-1514.