Reaching the century mark

Mike Sciacca

Anita Inberg Moore was surprised that so many people gathered

Saturday to help her celebrate her birthday.

At the same time, she was touched by the outpouring of affection.

On her 100th birthday, there were plenty of hugs and best wishes

for Moore, who has kept a sharp, quick wit.

The open house-style party held Saturday, the day before Moore’s

actual birth date of Jan. 12, drew close to 20 family and friends at

the Alternative Senior Care center in Huntington Beach.

Some of those on hand were distant relatives who made the trip to

Surf City from Texas.

Balloons and two cakes -- one with a photographic image of Moore

that was taken last year when she turned 99, were part of the

celebration.

“When I think of my aunt, I think of a person who is very humble

and sincere, who has the gift of hospitality and is a committed

Christian,” said Gary Silkenson, whose mother, the late Dorothy

Inberg Silkenson, was Moore’s sister. “She really got a kick out of

this party.”

Gary Silkenson’s father, Vern, also a resident of the Alternative

Senior Care, was on hand.

Moore, the last of nine siblings, was born and raised in

Vermillion, S.D., where she attended a one-room school. In 1940, she

and her sister, Francis Inberg, moved out to Los Angeles.

They opened up the Luther Ann Guest Home, a residence for the

elderly, in the L.A. area, said Leslie Silkenson, Gary’s wife.

Moore moved to Huntington Beach six years ago.

“I didn’t hear from the president,” Moore said good-naturedly of

the salutations she had received from well-wishers on Saturday. “I’m

so surprised that so many people brought so many gifts and wanted to

share time with me.”

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at [email protected].