When Mrs. Helen Williams agreed to go to lunch with her sister, Dr. Dorothy Matthews at the Black Horse Tavern, St. David's, she had no idea of what was in store for her. It was Helen's 80th birthday.

Coincidentally, there were about a dozen others dining at the popular Tavern, who knew either Helen, a long time employee of The Royal Gazette, now retired and residing at Mount Hill, Pembroke, or Dr. Matthews, who owns and operates 'Dotties Unisex Beauty Centre" in King Street, Hamilton.

When the little "cake for two" Dorothy had ordered arrived and the "Happy Birthday Helen" singing started everybody freely and happily joined in.

Our picture shows some who stayed back, reminiscing about "back in the day". Helen is seated on the right with her sister. Standing are Joan Moore, retired KEMH nurse Julianne Robinson DeShields; Winifred Fairs, who worked decades ago with Helen at The Royal Gazette; Renee Barton; Mary Hayward; Lynette Titterton and caregiver Nancy Smythe. Renee Barton's son Paul, making his first visit to Bermuda from his home in Victoria, B.C., obliged by taking this photo. He added up the ages of those seen above. They totaled 747 years.