PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — It’s been sort of a tradition for Charlott Engstrom of Pittsburg to drink a green beer on her birthday, which happens to fall on St. Patrick’s Day. For three of the last five years, she and her family have gathered at McCarthy’s to celebrate the occasion.
The only thing separating Engstrom and other St. Patrick’s Day revelers is her age. She turned 104 on Wednesday.
“We always do the green beer for her birthday,” said granddaughter Karin Barnett, Pittsburg. “One time we were driving around and she saw this and said, ’I’ve never been there. I’d like to go there sometime.”’
So Barnett and others planned a big surprise for Engstrom’s 100th birthday at McCarthy’s, with family from all around flying in to surprise her.
It also happened that there was a large crowd celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, meaning Engstrom became the center of attention.
“She was the belle of the ball,” Engstrom said.
