Key to City for lady of a century.

COLUMN: Neighbors

Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien presented Ruth Norling with a Key to the City in honor of her 100th birthday on June 7.

Mrs. Norling, a resident of Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community, 65 Briarwood Circle, was among the first residents at Briarwood. She moved to Briarwood in 1985 with her husband, Claus, who died in 1992.

A Worcester native, Mrs. Norling was a social worker for the city of Worcester for 30 years. She is a longtime member of Grace Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school, was Sunday school superintendent and conducted daily vacation Bible school. She was also a member of the Grace Mission Guild.

After retirement, she joined the Women's Mission Circle, where she had several leadership roles, including president. She is a member of Burncoat Baptist Church.

"I'm lucky to be so healthy," said Mrs. Norling, who enjoys collecting dolls and Dalmatian dog figurines. She belongs to the Briarwood Stitch and Chat group and enjoys needlepoint and knitting. She has three stepchildren, nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

The All Saints Choirs spent a week last month on tour, singing concerts in Lancaster, Pa., Alexandria, Va., and Washington, D.C. Highlights included staying with host families in Amish Country, a special tour of the Capitol with U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, and singing evensong in Washington's National Cathedral.

The following Worcester students were named to the president's and dean list at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner for the spring 2010 semester:

President's List

Leah Dellasanta, Gina Marie Fleury, Olive Githogori, Maria Janczewska and Entela Roba

Dean's List

Adam Brooks, Felicia Caligaris, Norah Momanyi, Monica Muiruri, Tabitha Mumbi, Christopher Robbins, Fabiola Salvant, Ann Thomas, Alfred Washington and Albert Wiafe

Worcester resident Karen Bell and various members of her church will participate in the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition's Against the Tide event June 19 in Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton. The event...