Salem Mayor Nic Farley is continuing the tradition of presenting a “Key to the City” for residents turning 100 years old.
Ellen Pergl received the honor during a Friday birthday celebration attended by three generations of her family.
Pergl said the Key to the City was a surprise and she loved it. Pergl also shared that she knew the Mayor as a little boy. Pergl was raised on a farm near Kinmundy and also lived in Chicago before returning to the Salem area. Pergl says she loved to dance, but a broken hip has caused her to give that up.
Farley said it was a true honor to give a “Key to the City” to such a humble and wonderful lady who always put kids first and lived to such a milestone. Farley notes he lived in the neighborhood of her great grandsons and Ellen often even made him feel like family.
