MiddletownJournal.com

TURTLECREEK TWP. — When Oregonia-Harveysburg United Methodist Church — described as a "small country church" — needed an organist, Helen Rowand applied for the position.

The church members were impressed by Rowand's resume — she had played the organ in Middletown and Columbus churches — and by her audition.

Rowand was hired.

She was 80 years old.

That was 23 years ago.

Rowand drove from the Otterbein Lebanon Retirement Community in Turtlecreek Twp. to the church — about a 20-mile drive over twisting roads — for 10 years.

Then, when she was 90 and unable to drive, church members transported her for three more years.

"She is a very special," said Jo Bowles, a church member and maintenance dispatcher at Otterbein. "We miss her. She is always upbeat, always happy. She always has a smile."

She has 103 reasons to smile.

Rowand, a graduate of Middletown High School and the University of Cincinnati College of Music, celebrated her 103rd birthday Sunday, Sept. 28, probably sitting quietly in her room.

"I don't enjoy a party like I used to," Rowand said.

After you hit the century mark, why get excited about 103, right?

Dawn Burnett, a licensed social worker at Otterbein, referred to Rowand as a "clothes horse" because she always wears dresses and wants her hair and nail done at least twice a week.

"She likes to look her best," Burnett said about Rowand, who wore a purple and white dress Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Naomi Rudacille, Rowand's roommate at Otterbein, is amazed by Rowand's age.

"I want her remedy," said Rudacille, only 96.

She called Rowand "a wonderful" roommate.

Three years ago, when Rowand turned 100, she received a personalized letter from President Bush and his wife, Laura, and last year, State Sen. Gary Cates sent her a congratulatory note.

Rowand has been married twice and outlived her husbands: Floyd Watson died in 1963 and Edward Rowand died in 1984. She never had any children. Her only brother, the Rev. Russell Maysilles, is deceased.

She worked in the Armco International Transcribing Department, and as a vocal, piano and organ teacher in the Middletown school district.

When asked to recount her childhood, and discuss the most significant invention she has witnessed, Rowand seemed confused.

Finally, she said: "One hundred and three years is a long time."