Manhattan resident Ruth Munt received a special 100th birthday celebration at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, sharing her remarkable perspective on seven decades of community growth.

Munt, who moved to Manhattan 76 years ago when the population was just 700 people, has been a cornerstone of community life through her involvement with the Manhattan Library, Manhattan Garden Club, Manhattan Homemakers, and St. Paul’s Church. The centenarian was honored by Mayor Mike Adrieansen and the village board at the June 3 meeting.

“I moved to Manhattan 76 years ago and the population was 700,” Munt told the board and assembled audience. “I lived in my home for 73 years and as you said I worked in all these different places and raised four sons here and it has been a wonderful place to raise a family.”

The recognition highlights not only Munt’s personal milestone but also her deep connection to Manhattan’s transformation from a small rural community to the growing village it is today. Having witnessed the community’s population grow from 700 to its current size, Munt represents a living link to Manhattan’s history.

Munt’s involvement in multiple community organizations demonstrates the type of civic engagement that has helped shape Manhattan’s character over the decades. Her work with the library, garden club, homemakers group, and church reflects the interconnected nature of small-town community life that many long-time residents value.

The village board’s decision to honor Munt at their official meeting underscores the community’s appreciation for residents who have contributed to its development over many years. Such recognitions serve both to honor individual achievements and to remind current residents of the importance of community involvement.

Trustee Tom Doyle noted the significance of having someone with such deep community roots present at the meeting, emphasizing how Munt’s experience spans multiple generations of Manhattan families.

The celebration concluded with board members and attendees singing “Happy Birthday” and offering congratulations to Munt, who expressed gratitude for the recognition and the community that has been her home for more than seven decades.