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Baby boomers are in the news today, cast in the brand new role of “senior citizens.” We are expecting that a greater percentage of these new “oldsters” will reach venerable ages, since they have had the advantage of a lifetime of research on food and health matters that is more encompassing than ever before. At our house we wonder – will we see greater, cheerier, more courageous and more feisty seniors than our neighbor Corry.

Corry is a representative of that class of Californians who came to the golden state early in the last century as refugees from the Kansas dust storms. Corry’s father had reached a point where his small Kansas farm could no longer support his family of eight. His valiant spirit was vanquished by dust and drought, and one day he bought a big old car, packed the wife and eight kids, and whatever treasures they could stow in the car and they headed for California full of hope for a better life.

A better life it was, too. Never strangers to hard work, the whole family pitched into the fruit harvest with energy and gusto. They were prized by the farmers and ranchers as they made short work of the backbreaking labor, always laughing and singing as they pitched into their tasks. The whole family settled quickly into California life, saving what they could from their wages. Shortly they were churchmembers and homeowners, pillars of the community. They still are today. Now they have children and grandchildren, all hardworking homeowners and churchgoers – the back bone of society. Corry is now a hearty eighty six. Her obviously beloved husband of sixty five years died recently, but neighbors say they have never heard a word of sorrow or self pity from Corry. Her home is always immaculate, always open for visitors and she cheers friends and neighbors alike with her hearty laugh and fun games. People have called the dust storm refugees derogatory names like “oakies” and “carpetbaggers.” Names that used to carry a connotation of condescension. But those of us who have the privilege of knowing people like Corry think of those names as badges of honor