Imperial Manor resident turns 101

Imperial Manor resident Virginia Hixon was born on Jan. 13, 1923, near Imperial and she will celebrate her 101st birthday this Saturday.
She was born into this world as Virginia Woods and she attended District 66 school in Chase County. She married Vern Hixon, who was from Wauneta, on Aug. 27, 1940, at the Chase County Courthouse by Judge Adams, she said.
Virginia and Vern together had a son and a daughter, Lloyd and Shirley. The two children gave them four grandchildren, Darren, Matt, Jeana, and Nilla. Nilla Claymon lives in Imperial and frequently visits her, Virginia said.
Virginia and Vern were farmers and they lived on their farm that crossed over between Perkins and Chase counties. They had cattle and milk cows, and they raised crops to include potatoes, she said. “Some of what I remember from the farming days was milking cows out in the cold, and the telephone party line,” she said.
“With a party line numerous people could be on the line and sometimes some people would have to be asked to conclude their calls so other people could make their calls.” Also, you could be talking on the line and other unknown people could be listening in to your supposed private conversation, she said.
Virginia remembers rural living and entertainment was simple. The Fourth of July celebration was a pleasant experience of watermelon and fireworks, she said. Other socialization outside the family I was involved with was a ladies group called the Texa Star, she said.
We moved to Grant in 1974 and we went to New Life Church, where I taught Sunday School, she said. I presently listen to a Christian radio station, KJLT 94.9 FM, she said.
I worked at the Perkins County Hospital in the dietary part for 20 years, she said.
The Manor will be having a recognition for Virginia on Saturday, and we will also be having a small private gathering with her, Nilla Claymon said.