Meet Helenrose Ploghoft
This 99-Year-Old Town Shores Resident Shares Her Memories and Advice On January, 10 2022, Helenrose Ploghoft will celebrate her 99th birthday from her waterfront apartment in the Town Shores of Gulfport. Ploghoft called Seattle home for the bulk of her life and moved to Florida when she was 79 after a life of working at JCPenney’s, singing classic hits, and raising a family. Less than a month ago she lost her partner of 10 years, Milton Sirotta. Despite that, the New York-born Ploghoft isn’t one to slow down, and despite recent tragedy, she talked to The Gabber about life and traveling.
ABBY BAKER
By Abby Baker
Gabber Newspaper: What’s the secret to long life? Helenrose Ploghoft: Just don’t give up. Look at me, I never thought I’d live this long. Keep smiling, that’s what I write on all the letters I send. Do you have a favorite memory? Oh golly, I have a lot. My son lived
Helenrose Ploghoft will turn 99 years old on January, 10 2022.
in Oregon, and his wife died, so I bought her car. Karen [her daughter, Karen Behmke Love] and I went to his house and drove all the way back here to Florida. We had a ball. We called ourselves Thelma and Louise and said they wouldn’t know which one of us had a gun. We are excited to announce that Dr. Austin Mason O.D. has now joined his father Dr. John H. Mason P.A. providing the personalized family eye care you have trusted us with since 1984.
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What were you like in your youth? I was a cheerleader, I played French horn … went to all of the football games. I sang on the radio, and sang all the time.
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Do you have a life lesson you’d like to share? You have to think positive. Always think something good is going to happen.
What did you sing? I liked to sing everything, but gospel the most. I sang with the Love Notes, in nursing homes and such. I quit when I turned 90; my throat cracks. Know someone with a fascinating story? Send their information to Abby@thegabber.com.
theGabber.com | January 6, 2021 - January 12, 2022