At 90, Vernon Town Hall 'Greeter' Still Brightens Up The Lobby

VERNON, CT — Since the 1980s, Trudy Roberts has had a simple rule in her role at the Vernon Town Hall greeter.

You'll get a smile, but you better sign in.

Roberts celebrated her 90th birthday this week and on Thursday she was as chipper as ever.

"Well good morning," she said as a visitor strolled in. "Town clerk? I put you in. Oh and by the way, how's that family of yours?

That's a typical greeting from Roberts, who has seemed to exchange pleasantries with just about every Town Hall visitor over the past there decades.

Make that 35 years.

To celebrate Roberts turning 90, town employees and others gathered Wednesday afternoon to giver her the good wishes she gives others and share a little cake.

The birthday gathering was a surprise and Roberts was speechless ... for 20 or 30 seconds.

She was back at it Thursday morning and said she doesn't plan on slowing down.

"It's always nice to see everyone," said Roberts, who is often the first person residents see when they enter the lobby. "I really enjoy it here."

She was then asked ... "Do I need to sign in?"

After a brief stare, she replied with her usual, "Yessssss" before laughing.

A few minutes went by the the visitor was leaving.

"You have a good day now," Roberts said. "And say hi to the kids."

It was followed by a wave and the smile Roberts said she'll never stop giving out.