Thirty cars - 59 people - seven dogs.

That was the final count for a drive-by birthday commemoration for Sandy Siller’s 80th birthday on May 12th.

“We didn’t really have an exact plan,” said Sandy’s daughter, Jodie Hourt. “The Palmerton Rod and Gun Club permitted us to assemble our cars in their parking lot before we drove past our house where Mom lives.”

To follow social distancing guidelines, only Hourt was outside the vehicles to organize the motorcade order that was written on a list by her son. They wanted to be sure her mother could recognize family, friends and neighbors who paid their tribute with horns honking, balloons flying, and signs posted.

“I told her we were going out to get ice cream for her cake,” said Hourt, who had experience with drive-by birthdays, having participated in two others held for family members earlier in the pandemic.

Sandy, known as “Gram” to everyone, wanted no fanfare on the day she reached her eighth decade of life. “Who wants to be reminded they’re 80 years old?” she said with a laugh. Nonetheless, the lifelong Lehighton resident of 17 grandchildren and just as many great-grandchildren, was grateful for the outpouring of affection she saw as she stood on the porch, centered between two balloons, one shaped like an “8” and the other a “0.”

Sandy has lived an active life working in local factories and then for 15 years in the health care field. She’s been involved in Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts while raising six children and found the time to take a road trip across America.

“I’ve been through Ohio to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. I’ve seen many national parks, been to the Grand Canyon and Wyoming. I’ve seen Tennessee and Georgia and I frequently visit Texas where my son lives.” Her bucket list included an Alaskan cruise, but that was before her husband died.

“I’ve been around,” she said. “If it wasn’t for this arthritis, I’d still be a house on fire.”

The motorcade event was recorded so that Sandy and her family could enjoy her special event.

When asked what was so special about living in Lehighton her entire life, Sandy answered. “I love the mountains. I like the seashore, too, but right now I’m watching the sun go down over Jim Thorpe. There’s nothing as beautiful as the mountains.”

Before the pandemic, there would be big parties where a crowd of 100 might show up at the Hourt house.

When Gram gets to her 90th milestone, she hopes to celebrate her day in a more traditional manner, and unlike this time, her daughter Jody will have to buy a lot more ice cream for a much bigger cake.