When she was just a teenager, Janet Harple joined the Women of the Moose (WOTM), Elizabethtown Chapter 701, the female auxiliary of the International Loyal Order of Moose, headquartered in Aurora, Ill. Janet, who currently resides at Paramount Senior Living in Maytown, celebrated her 100th birthday on March 12 - and marked 81 years of volunteerism.

Janet became interested in joining WOTM after learning that the organization supports the community through initiatives such as Mooseheart, an Illinois-based home for children in need, and Moosehaven, a home for the elderly in Florida.

"I joined when I was 19, when I was not in a relationship with anyone and was not involved in anything else," she recalled, noting that she enjoyed going to the monthly meetings. "I was a very active member. I hardly ever missed a meeting."

Calling herself an "active member" is a bit of an understatement. Over the years, she served as chair of most of the WOTM committees. She held additional leadership positions within her chapter, including serving as Junior Regent and Senior Regent and earning the College of Regents, the highest honor for a member in her respective chapter.

From 1969 to 1970, she was appointed by the International WOTM to serve as Deputy Grand Regent of Eastern Pennsylvania. From 1976 to 1978, she was appointed to serve on the International Grand Council.

In 1988, Janet was appointed as the International Grand Regent, which is the highest appointment granted to the International WOTM. She considers this to be her greatest life achievement, noting that she's very proud of the accomplishment.

Janet was born in Hollidaysburg to Joseph and Ida Amelia Horton Derr on March 12, 1925. She had three brothers and one sister. When Janet was a child, her parents settled down in the Elizabethtown area, having moved several times before for work.

Janet married Clyde Kaylor and had a son, Dennis Dale Kaylor. After the couple divorced, she married Robert S. Harple in 1963. The family included Robert's four children and Janet's 7-year-old son. In 1964, the couple's daughter, Melissa Jo Harple, was born.

Early in her career, she was employed at the Marietta Depot from age 17 to her early 20s, working her way up from forklift operator to a medium lift and a high lift operator.

She stayed home to raise her children, and she also worked part time for 12 years at the Hillcrest Supper Club along with other restaurants in Elizabethtown, including a few years at the Watering Trough in Mount Joy and at the Elizabethtown Moose Lodge 596.

When she was 98 years old, Janet moved to Paramount Senior Living. Reflecting on her life, she underscored the value of community service and encouraged others to give back. She especially encourages people to consider joining the Women of the Moose.

As for the secret to a long, happy life, Janet didn't hesitate to credit her daily ritual: At 4 p.m. every day, she has her own happy hour, complete with a Manhattan.