From the moment the car pulled into the pavilion on Oct. 26, it was obvious that the guest of honor, Virgie Christman, was not only turning 100, she was enjoying her special day.

Greeted with signs, balloons, and shouts of happy birthday, she was welcomed to her surprise 100 birthday party by her lifelong church friends and family at the Effort United Methodist Church.

“She didn’t know we were coming up here, and on the way up, she wondered why she had not heard from the church about her birthday,” said Virgie’s son, Frank.

He did admit it was hard to try to keep a straight face on the way to the church.

When longtime friend Carla Sue Morris, who traveled from Bethlehem for the party, was asked what makes her friend so special to everyone, she replied, “She is always kind and whenever help was needed, she was there to help.”

“My mom went to church all her life. She was in the choir, she taught Sunday school and served on the church’s board,” her son said.

“I have many great memories going to the fair with my mom and dad. “We never missed a West End Fair. My mom always worked in the buildings registering the fair entries,” said her son.

Virgie’s last job was working in the Pleasant Valley School cafeteria until she retired in 1987.

“My parents were homebodies, and they enjoyed being home. I remember we always had a big garden and my mom canned vegetables and we had strawberries she would freeze,” Frank said.

After all the reminiscing was done, it was time to sing “Happy Birthday.”

After Virgie blew out her candles, guests asked what her secret to living a long, happy life was.

“First of all, a good home, a good bringing up and naturally going to church. I was always in church, but a good education helps, too,” she said laughing.

Virgie had five brothers and only one is still living in a nursing home. Frank is her only child, and she now lives with her son.

She received citations from U.S. Sen. Robert Casey and state Sen. Jack Rader.