Community center gives 74-year-old his first party

MARION - The band jammed, the crowd cheered and Jesse Scroggins became the man of honor at the first birthday party of his life.

Scroggins, who regularly attends the James H. Johnson-Charles Rudd Community Complex's weekly jam sessions, turned 74 Friday. He celebrated the birthday with 16 family members and more than 60 other people, including 14 musicians on the stage.

It was the idea of his wife, Clara Scroggins, who wanted to both throw him a party and focus some attention on the community complex.

"I'm having the time of my life," Jesse said. "It blowed me away."

Clara talked about how Jesse, the oldest of eight siblings, lacked much of a home life growing up and had never had a birthday party as a child.

He then joined the military and served during the Vietnam War, where his family believes he came into contact with Agent Orange, which they blame for his current health woes including problems with his memory.

Clara had the idea after one of Jesse's sisters had a birthday party. She said she should throw one for him. He said no one would come.

But come they did, as his family members gathered around the table and surprised him as the couple walked in.

"This little thing is the one who did it," he said, motioning to Clara.

She led him to the front of the room and they danced to the song, "Could I Have This Dance?" Jean Johnson, who operates the community complex with Jeff Beck, joined in as others clapped.

Clara and Jesse said they like attending because they enjoy the music. Jesse said it reminds him of the music he listened to as a child in Kentucky. Clara said it's the "old country" that she and her family members used to sing.

Each week, musicians from throughout central Ohio gather at the community center to jam. They play a variety including bluegrass, country and gospel standards.

Admission is free. While the center usually charges for dinner - most cooked by Johnson - Clara took Christmas money given to her by a son in the military and rented the hall for the night.

Mary Scroggins, Jesse's daughter, said it was nice because the family doesn't get a chance to get together very often.

Jesse said he was surprised Clara managed to keep it a secret.

His first thought as he came in?

"What's all these people doing here?"

Source: http://marionstar.com/article/20111226/NEWS01/112260306/1002/rss01

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