Lansford Alive marks 100th birthday at tree lighting

The Lansford Alive Events Committee will be joining Agnes Mikulski in celebrating her milestone 100th birthday at the tree lighting program on Saturday.

Agnes Schasney Mikulski will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Nov. 27.

Born in Lansford, she is the fifth child in a family of 10 siblings.

Agnes enjoys keeping in touch with her two younger brothers: Joe, 95, of Newton Falls, Ohio, and Rudy, 92, of Union, New Jersey.

She is the daughter of Rudolf (who worked in the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company’s No. 8 Breaker and was a Lansford Councilman) and Ursula Gulla Schasney.

After graduating from St. Michael’s parish school, Agnes went to work as a seamstress at Rosenau Brothers in Lansford. As World War II approached, she attended welding school to assist with the war effort. Moving to New York City shortly thereafter, she continued her support of the war by attending many USO functions and participating in other events including the VE Celebration in Times Square in 1945.

Agnes met her husband, Joseph Mikulski, from Lansford’s Andrewsville section, during the war years. After Joe returned from the war, Agnes and Joe married in 1946 in New York City, where they remained and raised their two daughters, Pat Ferraro of Jim Thorpe, and Maria Grant of New York City. Agnes held a variety of jobs including positions at New York Hospital and New York City Board of Education until she retired in 1980.

After retirement, Joe and Agnes returned to their hometown of Lansford to enjoy their “golden” years, reconnecting with family and friends. Agnes remained active after returning home, spending time with family and friends at numerous events, supporting St. Michael’s Parish Church, helping her sister Millie with her ceramics shop and dancing to the area’s many polka bands.

Agnes has voted in every election since 1938 when she turned 21. She continues to stay up on current events.

A coal miner’s daughter, Agnes said she had “a wonderful life.”

A family celebration of her milestone birthday is planned, including dancing.

Christmas in Kennedy Park will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday. Santa will also be on hand.

Throughout the day, Small Business Saturday events will be held.

There will be ribbon cuttings and grand openings at Gathering Grounds coffee house and Serina’s Bakery at 36 W. Ridge St. from 10 a.m. to noon.