Sherri Brown / Daily News
Longtime business owner Charles Solomon blows kisses to well-wishers at a surprise party marking his 90th birthday Monday. He and his wife, Frances, sit outside their store on a bench given in his honor.
Longtime business owner Charles Solomon blows kisses to well-wishers at a surprise party marking his 90th birthday Monday. He and his wife, Frances, sit outside their store on a bench given in his honor.
On Monday, Solomon celebrated his 90th birthday, enjoying the rewards and memories provided by the business he has been a part of for most of his life.
Solomon and wife Frances Solomon were treated by business owners and LaGrange officials to a surprise party of giant proportions - food and fun, balloons, gifts and love that filled the sidewalk in front of the downtown store.
Signs and T-shirts read “Happy 90th Birthday, Charlie,” with cake and hot dogs served to Mayor Jeff Lukken; members of City Council and the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority; downtown business owners; and Solomon’s friends and family.
“Believe it or not, he did not have an inkling” of the party, said daughter Patty Solomon.
The usually punctual Solomon was taking his time getting to work and didn’t arrive until 9:30 or 10 a.m., causing those organizing the party to worry that he wouldn’t be there at 11 a.m. for the surprise.
Solomon has worked in the Bull Street department store since he was 12. He left LaGrange to serve in World War II, returning from the Mariana Islands in 1946 to run the business.
The longtime businessman was surprised to receive accolades at Monday’s party.
“He didn’t know what to say,” Patty Solomon said. “He had those tears in his eyes. It was a special day.”
A proclamation was read by Lukken in honor of Solomon’s birthday.
“In 90 years, he’s done more good deeds than three people could have done in their entire lives,” Lukken said.
But the major gift Solomon received was the bench he sat on during the ceremony. A metal bench to replace the wooden one in front of the store was given in his honor.
A plaque on the bench reads: “In honor of Charlie Solomon on his 90th birthday, June 7, 2010, and in honor of his lifelong commitment to downtown LaGrange.”
After a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by family and friends, Solomon blew kisses toward everyone, thanking them for all they had done. His 90th birthday was both a surprise and a blessing.
“I can’t say anything. It’s unreal,” Solomon said about his party. “I wasn’t expecting anything like this.”
Trey Wood can be reached at twood @ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.
canadian pharmacies online