Happy birthday, ‘Mickey’ – Glencoe resident, former nurse has seen plenty of life in last 100 years

She has been around for several of the greatest events and inventions of the last 100 years – the invention of nuclear power, the creation of the Internet, radio and TV, a man on the moon, the Civil Rights Act, and the invention of a polio vaccine.
And despite it all, “Mickey” Beltz has maintained a wry sense of humor as her 100th birthday draws near. She’ll enjoy the big milestone Monday, Dec. 10. Her family is planning an open house Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at First Congregational UCC.
Mickey wouldn’t miss it. She looks forward to achieving centenarian status because it’s a license to tell people what to do with a reasonable likelihood they’ll listen. Mickey is realistic. She’s enjoying life even though her body is starting to slow down. It’s her mind and focus that’s rock solid.
“My eyes don’t work as well. I can’t hear so good and my legs don’t work anymore. Other than that, I’m pretty good,” she said.
Mickey still lives on her own in Glencoe. Her daughter, Sandy, stops by for frequent visits. She helps Mickey take care of the necessities. Mickey still does most of what she wants to do. With Sandy’s help, Mickey and Sandy once made 105-dozen pizelle, a handmade Italian waffle cookie for the bake sale at her church, First Congregational UCC. The following year, the two women exercised a bit of restraint and made only about 92 dozen of the tasty cookies.

(For the complete story, see the Dec. 5 print edition of The Chronicle.)