The Woods at Cedar Run team is ready to help Mildred “Micki” Clemens celebrate her upcoming 105th birthday on Sept. 4. Back row, from left: Amy Renaldi, Renee Sorkin, Tess Kieffer-Fogleman, Executive Director Jenn Kipe, Rachel Leanza and Tasha Smith; Front row, from left: Gennie Rivera, Mildred “Micki” Clemens, Kim Thomas and Courtney Potteiger.
From Piano Lessons during The Great Depression to Adventures in the Rocky Mountains, Beloved Woods at Cedar Run Resident Celebrates Milestone
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Mildred “Micki” Clemens has seen more than a century of change, resilience, and adventure. On September 4, 2025, she will celebrate her 105th birthday as a cherished resident of The Woods at Cedar Run.
“Micki is such a blessing to our community,” said Tess Kieffer-Fogleman, Community Relations Director of The Woods at Cedar Run. “Our team looks forward to her friendly demeanor and ability to tell a memorable story. We are excited to be a part of her 105th birthday celebration.”
Born in 1920, Micki Clemens grew up in a family of five siblings — four girls and one boy. She eventually became the first in her family to reach the milestone of 100.
Clemens graduated in 1938 from Enola High School, where she also played basketball, before attending the Harrisburg School of Beauty Culture. For five years, she operated her own beauty shop.
Music played a meaningful role in her life. During the Great Depression, she began taking piano lessons for 50 cents apiece. After her father was laid off during those lean years, her piano teacher, who also taught at the Harrisburg Symphony, offered Micki free lessons.
“We all did what we could to pitch in and help our family,” Clemens said.
Her family shared a love for the outdoors, often camping for weeks at a time in the Rocky Mountains or Grand Tetons. “I loved travelling to Colorado,” she recalled. Even today, she considers herself a lifelong camper and outdoor enthusiast.
Like many of her generation, Micki Clemens remembers the sacrifices of World War II, when all the factories focused on producing war supplies and food and other products were rationed back home. “Everybody did something to help the war efforts,” she said. In those days, her family was one of the few in their neighborhood with a telephone, thanks to her father’s work as a railroad engineer.
Micki resided in her Enola family home for nearly eight decades. “We were the only ones that lived in that house for 77 years,” she said with pride. She also built a family of her own after meeting her late husband, Dale Clemens, at a party. “I was with another fellow and he was with another girl, and we switched,” Micki said with a smile.
The couple married at Grace United Methodist Church in Lemoyne, where Micki has been a member for 75 years. Their honeymoon took them to St. Louis, Missouri, by train, an adventure made even more special because they rode for free.
An accountant, Dale also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1939 to 1941. Together, they raised two sons: Dale Jr., a retired pilot from Manchester, Pa., and Jerry, a retired teacher from Ohio.
Looking back, Micki reflects on her life with contentment. “I have no regrets. I got to travel a lot,” she said. “I feel good. I’ve had a good life. After you’re 100, everything slows up.”
Since moving to The Woods at Cedar Run, she has found joy in the welcoming spirit of the community. “The best thing about living at The Woods is the friendliness,” Micki said. “From the day I moved in, everyone spoke to me.”
Her warmth and wit are appreciated by team members at The Woods. “Micki is such a big part of The Woods at Cedar Run,” said Jennifer Kipe, Executive Operations Officer. “It is an honor for our team to help Micki celebrate 105 years.”
As she prepares to mark this extraordinary milestone, Micki remains a living reminder of resilience, joy, and gratitude.
From piano lessons during the Great Depression to summers spent in the Rocky Mountains, she has lived a life full of meaning and adventure. A life worth celebrating for 105 remarkable years.
For more information, contact Tess Kieffer-Fogleman, Community Relations Director, The Woods at Cedar Run at tkieffer@integracare.com or call 717.737.3373.