As champagne flutes are raised and resolutions are made each January, there's something profound about hearing from those who've welcomed the new year dozens of times before. We headed over to Bowman Place Assisted Living for an early holiday celebration, where residents shared memories spanning decades, from formal New Year's galas to quiet family gatherings, and the hard-won wisdom that comes from living full and adventurous lives.

Their stories reveal a common thread: the most meaningful celebrations weren't necessarily the grandest, but the ones spent with people who mattered most.

Dancing Through the Decades

Pauline and Nelson Roy, both 82, remember annual formal parties at their friends' house in Massachusetts. "They put on a huge formal party. No kids, just adults," Pauline says. One year after marrying Nelson, she purchased a gown from New York for the occasion, "the most beautiful gown," she remembers. Her niece now has the dress. That particular evening featured a memorable game with an orange string that got participants attached to each other in creative ways. "It got pretty interesting and a lot of fun," she laughs.

The year 1966 holds special significance for Pauline—it's when she married Nelson. "I lost my first husband a few years prior, which was devastating to me," she shares. "Nelson walked into my life as a gift from God. A year later, my daughter was born."

Bobby Potter, 94, who worked as the librarian at Bedford Library until retirement and still sings at Bedford Presbyterian Church after more than 30 years with the choir, keeps it simple: her favorite memory is "staying up late to watch the ball drop when I was a teenager."

For Bobby, the 1960s were transformative. "It was when we moved to New Hampshire from Rhode Island," she recalls. "We belonged to the Manchester Country Club before we even owned a home. My husband came to NH before me, so he joined the country club to have a place to stay and meet people. Once the school year ended, I came up with the kids."

Nanette Raclin, 78, who taught in Bedford schools for over 30 years, remembers her mother's legendary parties. "Every few years, my parents would throw a huge bash, inviting everyone they could think of. I'd always think, 'Why is there a police man outside?' He was there to direct traffic! The food was unbelievably festive." She and her sister had to dress in matching fancy velvet outfits, though Nanette would rather have been in her jeans, "which I was rarely allowed to wear."

But her warmest New Year's memories? Those were spent with her Nana. "My parents would often go out to a party, leaving four kids home with Nana, so my parents could have a 'moment' of peace."

Betty Olson has her own restaurant story. She and her husband owned a restaurant on a river in Florida and hosted big New Year's parties there. But for many years, the couple's tradition was to gather with their children, spouses, and grandchildren at a farmhouse in Webster, New Hampshire. "We would spend the week together, including celebrating New Year's together. That is where we spent the turn of the millennium." She chuckles, remembering one year when a guest spent two hours at their party before realizing they were at the wrong celebration; they should have been across the street!

Marlene, 83, recalls "a New Year's get together with co-workers of my husband, with a quiet gathering at his house." Her approach to New Year's was flexible: "I did not have any tradition for New Year's celebration, it changed every year."

Some memories transcend holiday celebrations. Marlene, who has lived in Bedford her entire life, treasures one particular moment from childhood. "When I was three years old, I remember my dad coming home from Germany during the war (August 1944) as a surprise visit. I recall him having sore feet, so my Mom and I would give him foot massages."

For Nanette, her high school years stand out as her happiest time—"the first taste of a little bit of freedom and so many wonderful friends."

Betty reflects fondly on the 1960s. "Our children grew up from toddlers and infants, and we lived in a nice neighborhood with many close friends, and my husband's company flourished."

The residents have witnessed Bedford's transformation firsthand. Marlene sees both sides of the change. "Bedford has so much more to offer than when I was younger and over the years. There are so many more people which brings more walking trails, concerts at the common during the summer, and movies at the library, to name a few. All the changes have been good." Still, she echoes others' sentiment: "I don't like that it's lost the small town as you can't even get to know your neighbors as they don't stay long."

Pauline agrees about the small-town feeling: "It has grown so much. I don't like that it's lost the small town as you can't even get to know your neighbors as they don't stay long."

Nanette observes: "A lot less calm, a lot more crowded, and people don't spend as much time getting to know each other."

Betty Olson, who first moved to Bedford in 1977 for Digital Equipment Corporation, then spent 37 years in Florida before moving to Bowman Place nearly two years ago, marvels at the change. "It is so much more built up here and there is so much more activity than when we were first here." Her son's family remained in Bedford the whole time, so she would visit periodically and witness the evolution.

Bobby Potter sums it up concisely: "It's bigger, there are a lot more people and a lot more businesses."

When asked about their secrets for longevity and happiness, the answers are refreshingly straightforward—and often point to partnership.

"A good husband," says Pauline Roy without hesitation.

Betty Olson expands on this: "I had a great partner for most of my life, and we created wonderful adventures together. In his latter years, though we had an adventuresome life, my husband and I learned to enjoy simpler things like being with family and enjoying a good meal together." She fondly recalls her husband's frequent saying: "It don't get no better!" He also believed in focusing on strengths: "My husband would often say, Do more of what you are good at."

Bobby Potter's approach is more zen: "Take each day as they come."

Marlene's secret is active engagement: "Living the best life as you can by taking part in as many varieties of activities that come your way." She practices what she preaches—when learning to water ski, her parents told her to "hold on to the rope," and she eventually progressed to skiing on just one ski with her friend Doris.

For Nanette, it comes down to connection: "The presence of children, the presence of pets, and the warmness of friends." Though her beloved cat Ally has passed, she says the animal still brings her joy every time she thinks of her, "as all of my past animals (dogs and cats) do."

As a new year begins, these residents offer wisdom worth heeding. Bobby Potter keeps it direct: "Be true to yourself." When asked about the best advice she's ever received, she shares: "Never look back." 

Pauline Roy agrees: "Just continue to be true to yourself and enjoy life."

Betty Olson offers gentle encouragement: "Just focus on doing the best you can and don't worry if you don't accomplish everything." Her husband taught her an important lesson: "Appreciate things."

Marlene's advice for New Year's celebrations is practical: "Stay with friends and family with minimal drinking and being safe."

Nanette, ever the teacher, asks us to think bigger: "To think how we could make the world a better place for all people." She tries to live by her Nana's golden rule and has one consistent New Year's resolution: "To try and be a better person." For years, she also resolved "to quit smoking, which I eventually finally did." Her family tradition involved reflection: "Think about what we might want to help change in the new year ahead."

When asked what she hopes for in the coming year, Nanette's answer is simple but profound: "Peace, peace, and peace! I just wish I could work more actively towards it." Bobby hopes for "peace for the world. For my family, happiness." Pauline wishes "for my family's happiness." Marlene looks forward to keeping "the gatherings coming with my family, especially now since I have 5 new Great Grandchildren." Betty's hope is straightforward: "For my family, I hope that we all stay healthy and my family members get to accomplish all they set out to do."

Perhaps most telling is what brings these residents joy each day. For Bobby, it's the food at Bowman Place. Her favorite holiday food? "Turkey!" And when it comes to dancing, she loves Frank Sinatra's "Dancing in the Dark." Marlene celebrates "waking up to a wonderful morning."Pauline finds it "important to stay positive and appreciate the little things every day."

Betty loves her cup of chai tea and having her family visit. She's also known for her culinary skills—she used to make a special version of Swedish meatballs that people called "Betty's Better Meatballs." Her favorite song? Kenny Loggins' "Through The Years."

Nanette's small joys come from memories of her cat Ally. Her favorite holiday food is escargot, and she loves the song "Singin' in the Rain." The best advice she's received? "Always think of others first."

As we raise our glasses to a new year, these elders remind us that a life well-lived isn't measured in grand gestures, but in daily gratitude, genuine connections, and the wisdom to appreciate both the formal galas and the quiet mornings. Their message is clear: hold on to the people you love, stay true to yourself, and remember, it don't get no better than this.