Some important things made their debut in 1917. The modern zipper, for example. The hot water heater, Converse All Stars, Clark candy bar, camouflage and Keds are others.

On Jan. 13 of that year, Lou Gans also made his debut into the world, and Friday, friends, staff members and volunteers gathered at Sunshine Gardens West to celebrate his 95th birthday.

Gans moved to the assisted living facility three years ago and proceeded to become a core part of the community. He wrote a newsletter, booked speakers to come inform him and his fellow residents and put his expertise on the piano to good use by hosting his own version of “Name that Tune” every other week.

In Gans’ version, they try to name a tune he can’t play from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and beyond. Let’s just say he usually knows the song.

So it was completely appropriate that they turned around and fêted him when he reached the landmark age of 95 on Friday the 13th, a lucky day for him.

Between a cake, gifts – he’s a big fan of local sports teams and will enjoy his photo of the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team – and being the recipient of his own serenade of “Happy Birthday to You,” Gans said it was one of the best days of his life.

Part of that may be because the Gans family didn’t celebrate birthdays much when he was growing up. There was fun – a game called punchball and lots of reading, including Ivanhoe. His mom was a great cook, making matzoh ball soup, potato latkes and chopped liver from scratch.

Gans has lived quite a life as a first generation American. His father emigrated from Russia and his mother from Poland, so his upbringing was bereft all the aunts, uncles and cousins left behind in the old countries.

Growing up the youngest of five in Brooklyn, he showed an entrepreneurial streak. At 10, he started selling newspapers. Not only did he stand at his station in front of the Kingsway Theater, he stopped in all the stores on the way from the place where he picked the papers up to the theater, making a pretty penny along the way. It was certainly a different time, as Gans worked from 7 to 11 p.m. every day – no days off. Just thinking about it makes me want to take a nap!

That newspaper gig was good training for his future professional life as a sales manager, most notably for California Kitchens. But before he began that stage of his life, Uncle Sam came calling.

Gans has earned our gratitude as a member of the Greatest Generation. He was a “90-day wonder” after being drafted to Camp Roberts in California, where he impressed a captain, who suggested Gans take the test for Officer Candidate School. Gans was one of very few who passed, and went on to be promoted to second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain in just three months.

Then it was off to Europe in World War II. Sure, he did all that serving his country in war stuff, but just as importantly, while walking on the beach at Cannes, France, while on leave, he met a pretty French girl named Josette.

“Not only was she good looking, she was a pretty smart gal,” Gans said.

The only bittersweet note at his birthday, I’m sure, was that Josette, his wife of 61 years, was not there to celebrate with him. She died about six years ago when the couple was traveling through Tucson, Ariz., in their motor home.

Gans is a great example of building community and being of service to others, no matter the age or health. It’s also great to know one can still look forward to some of the greatest days of our lives late in life.

Happy belated birthday, Lou.

Birthday wishes for snow were granted for Robert Simmons, Jim Bundy, Mary Alice Copeland, Julia Dodd, Connie Imig, Dan Ammann, Kathy Szelag, Dorothy Shank, Mel Owen, Mattie Morris, Luke Slater, KarenKnudsen, Thomas Duft and Brigitte Cunningham.

Lou Gans wasn’t the only one celebrating a big birthday over the weekend. Marie Moccia turned 90 with a bang, er, make that a blast – of pink.

Her daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Robert Fichera, hosted a group to a “Younger than Springtime” party at the Edgemont Highlands Community Center on Saturday night. Pink was a big part of the theme, with pink flowers everywhere and a blooming pink “money tree,” where guests added moolah to Moccia’s “casino fund.” She’s a big fan of the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, and that guarantees a fun time on her next outing there.

The birthday girl didn’t learn about her upcoming bash until the evening before, when the Ficheras took her to dinner at the Ore House, where Moccia enjoyed her 90 percent discount – one place where it really pays to get older.

I’m never too sure about surprise parties for seniors because one doesn’t want any stress heart attacks from shock. But this gave Moccia a bit of a surprise, yet let her enjoy the festivities stress free.

Pat Fichera and Jana Goldstein prepared a delicious dinner that began with appetizers of shrimp, provolone loaf and onion tart before guests sat down to a meal of beef tenderloin, poached salmon, Caesar salad, scalloped potatoes, green beans and a chocolate birthday cake dressed with pink flowers.

My thanks go to Guyneth Zimmerman for serving as my correspondent for the story. She said Moccia is the youngest 90-year-old she knows.

January is National Mentoring Month, and Tracy Cornutt, the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of La Plata County, reminded me it’s a good time to thank those people who made a difference in our lives when we were growing up.

The people I would like to thank are no longer living, I’m afraid, but I have to share my undying gratitude to a number of teachers along the way, most particularly, Lucy Colley – best second-grade teacher ever – Rey Martinez and DanPatterson, who set me on the path to being a Spanish-speaking gringa, and Lillian McKelvey, who opened horizons for me in reading and life.

Why don’t you pick up a phone or, better yet, a piece of paper, and thank someone for making a difference in your life?

Mike and Donna Stone are celebrating the first white anniversary of January 2012 this week.

Belated happy anniversary wishes go out to Bill and Dorothy Tarpley – 50 years – and Loren and Lisa Skyhorse – 35 years.

Here’s how to reach me: neighbors@durangoherald.com; phone 375-4584; mail items to the Herald; or drop them off at the front desk.

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