VISITORS — Olive Heyse, center, received a visit from a special guest during her birthday celebration. The Blue M&M brought candy with him from the Mars factory for the occasion. Also pictured are, from back left, her nephew Bill Ballou; his wife; and front left, campus manager Esmerelda Lee. Banner photo, JOYANNA WEBER
Heyse was honored during Garden Plaza’s October birthdays celebration. There to help her celebrate were many friends from Garden Plaza, her nephew, Bill Ballou, his wife and a group of students from Lee University.
“I’ve never had this much attention before,” Heyse said.
Campus manager Esmerelda Lee said it was an honor to induct another resident into the Century Club at Garden Plaza. Lee also presented a certificate of membership to Heyse. Judy Harbey of Garden Plaza told stories of what was popular in the decades Heyse has seen.
Although Heyse never had any children of her own, Heyse called the group of female students from Lee University that come to visit her “little girls.” The girls gave Heyse a painting for her birthday.
Heyse also received other presents during her birthday celebration. She was presented with several cards and a beautiful wooden box to put them in, and candy from M&M Mars.
It was her nephew was who first told Heyse about Garden Plaza. Ballou and his wife are Heyse’s only living relatives. She said he takes care of her. Ballou said Heyse had taken care of him and his mother earlier when she became ill. His mother died, but he and Heyse remained close.
Heyse has enjoyed singing, playing the French horn and playing bridge. She still enjoys the card game. During the celebration, Judy Harbey of Garden Plaza said that Heyse would not sign the contract for Garden Plaza until she knew there was someone else there who played bridge. Heyse has also taught friends in the past how to play bridge. One such friend is Sally Hopper Jones. Jones gave Heyse a painting for her birthday. Although she was unable to attend she made sure the present was there for the celebration.
When she was younger, Heyse sang in a quartet, which gave her the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York, where she is originally from.
It was here she met someone who would later be one of her friends at Garden Plaza. Maureen Jaggers said her choir was to perform in the same show which was going to be on TV. While waiting for the performance to start, Jaggers said she started up a conversation with Heyse.
About two years ago, the women met again, this time in Cleveland at Garden Plaza. Jabbers said the two women recognized each other but were not sure from where. Later, they remembered how and where they first met.
