Birthday wishes to a dancer of 90

By Jack Krayenhoff

Ulrich Gerger just turned 90. He lives by himself in his own house, and he keeps it clean all by himself. By clean I mean spic and span, immaculate. I cannot recall seeing such spotlessness recently anywhere, let alone in a bachelor's place. He also looks after his garden by himself, though sometimes he needs a neighbour's help to get the lawnmower started.

But most important to Ulrich is that he cooks for himself. It is the secret of his longevity, he says. Any suggestions? "Don't eat hamburger or steak - I don't touch the stuff. Pork is OK. And don't forget the wine, but no more than three glasses a day. One glass is enough for me, as a rule. And overeating is bad. It poisons you."

Any other ways of staying healthy?

"Don't go to doctors if you can help it, they make things worse. They operated on my prostate, and I've been sorry ever since."

"Don't sit around, keep busy. I work out regularly and I swim in the Crystal pool. I visit old people around here. One is an old lady of 100 who lives across the street."

But let's talk about your dancing. How did you get started?

"I started when I was young. I was born in Hungary, and later moved to Austria. Over there, everybody dances, mostly the polka and waltzes, but other dances, too. I used to live in a Gasthaus, a sort of country inn, and it had a big dance floor. Now I still dance a lot: the cha-cha, rumba, tango, foxtrot - everything. I even got prizes, like this beautiful one. Twice a week a go to a dance instructor, who shows me the latest steps and moves."

Does your age not bother him?

"Hardly. Just when I turn around a lot, I get a little dizzy."

He came to Canada, to Edmonton, in 1949. He was not married, never did get married. Why not?

"No time. I was a baker at Safeway, had to get up at four in the morning, or two, or even earlier".

He also was a carpenter, and ended up as a bar manager at UVIC. He retired in 2002.

He travelled a lot, all over the world, but now he can't do that any more.

Why is that, Ulrich?

"I can't afford the insurance any more".

Well, never mind. Ulrich is far from bored, and it looks as if he still gets plenty of enjoyment in life. Many happy returns, Ulrich!