By Barry Owens

A special table was reserved over the lunch hour one day last month at the Caring Community senior center in the community room at Independence Plaza North.

Seated around the table were members of an exclusive club: 90-year-olds, and those close to it who aspire to join their ranks. The table was full.

"I'm only sitting here because I want to learn how to become 90," joked 89-year-old Phryne Hayhurst. "Maybe I'll make it, and maybe I won't. Who the hell knows?" The table was decked out in a festive cloth, a cake with "Happy Birthday to Seniors over 90" written in icing was served, and a piano player in the back of the room played standards, including the rollicking polka favorite "Roll Out the Barrel."

"If he thinks anybody is going to dance to this, he's crazy," said Ann Vaccaro, a volunteer at the center who helped set up the birthday celebration and who, like most of the guests, lives in Independence Plaza.
"I'm one of the old guys here," said Anthony Valentino, who turned 90 on Valentine's Day. He hastened to add that he is not related to Rudolph.

Spry and talkative, Valentino said that his nearly daily visits to the senior center have made a big difference in his life.

"When we go out together, people accuse me of being his wife," said his daughter, Gloria. "And I'm 61."
The oldest at the table was Ernesto Benejan, 97, who was joined by his wife, Candiza, 89.

The center's director, Caroline Grable, told the group that she would be delighted to join their club someday, and that if she were in their shoes, she would be dancing on the table.

"If God gives you the time to get to 90, believe me, that's something," she said. "He doesn't do that for everybody."

Not everyone at the table seemed in a hurry to get there, though.

"Happy birthday everybody back there," the piano player said into the microphone.
"That's you, Peggy," someone shouted.

"Not until December," 89-year-old Peggy Bradford replied.