Family, friends fete Fred Mesman on milestone birthday

On the radio dial, 95 is often the golden oldies station.

For La Conner’s Fred Mesman, the number 95 sends a totally different signal.

Sunday it had less to do with his age than it did with being a good reason for the sage nonagenarian to party.

Which is exactly what he did, enjoying birthday cake, music and a bountiful pig roast on a beautiful sunlit afternoon complete with spectacular views from his and wife Arlene’s unique straw bale insulated Pleasant Ridge home.

But more than anything, Fred basked in the company of family, friends and neighbors who trekked through thick woods and past the spring-fed pond he dug years ago to the couple’s secluded lawn, where they celebrated his 95th birthday.

In addition to the feast, it was often conversation that spiced up the menu for the better part of three hours.

“He likes to talk more than eat,” son Rob quipped at one point, as Fred made repeated rounds of his guests while navigating a decked out electric scooter. Birthday cards joined the flowers in the basket in front.

There was, after all, so much to say.

Fred regaled all with timeless memories of duck hunting on the La Conner Flats, attending high school here during World War II, and working long hours on the family’s dairy farm, where the Mesmans had relocated in the early 1940s after being displaced from Whidbey Island by U.S. Navy construction of Ault Field.

His house on the ridge, built a couple decades ago, is directly linked to those bygone days as Fred liked the idea of using straw from the Thulen farm on Dodge Valley Road in its construction.

A man who fondly remembers when people made friends by visiting, Fred was clearly in his element on Sunday. Many there noted how Fred and Arlene have always joined neighborhood gatherings on Pleasant Ridge.

Folks were more than happy to return the favor to mark Fred’s milestone birthday. A long string of parked cars stretched along the side of Valentine Road all afternoon as well-wishers made their way to the party.

Fred couldn’t have been happier.

“He loves a party,” said Laurie McCraney, among the family members who planned and hosted the event. “He likes spending time with people, and it’s something he always looks forward to.”

Fred’s 95th birthday party had been in the works for quite some time.

“Every five years,” Laurie explained, “the family has a big party for him.”

Planning for his 100th birthday bash has already begun. Longtime family friend Gail Thulen was among the first to confirm his attendance in 2024.

This year’s party will be tough to top, though.

“This was great,” Fred said afterward, a twinkle in his eye. “It had everything, except maybe horseshoes and shooting clay pigeons.”

Laurie took note.

“We’ll definitely get those on the program next time,” she vowed.