LONGTIME RESIDENT and City of Terrace freeman Bill McRae celebrated his 90th birthday twice, once at home and once at the Happy Gang Centre.
Old friends came out to the Happy Gang for birthday cake, to see him blow out his birthday candle and to give him some presents Jan. 8.
The day before, his actual birthday of Jan. 7, there was a "crowd" at his place, he told those at the Happy Gang through teary eyes.
"What a crowd yesterday at our house – some young, some not so young, some older, then to come here today and see all my old friends," said McRae, stopping as he started crying.
"I feel like I'm an astronaut. I'm walking on air."
Terrace mayor Dave Pernarowski noted that McRae had been a city freeman for 25 years now and was doing it very well.
Later Pernarowski took McRae aside to take a "selfie," a photo of himself and McRae, with his phone to put online.
Also congratulating McRae were city councillors Lynne Christiansen, Brian Downie, Bruce Bidgood and former city councillor Carol Leclerc.
Happy 90th Bill McRae! 25 years as our City Freeman! It's called a selfie Bill... pic.twitter.com/MBoa0rvSzR
— Dave Pernarowski (@MayorDaveP) January 8, 2014