Emma Hittner, of Robesonia, celebrated her 95th birthday recently. Born Dec. 5, 1921, to the late Emma and Victor Hoffman of Brodheadsville, Emma lived in Palmerton for 75 years. She was married for 57 years to Samuel Hittner of Palmerton, who passed away in 1999.

Emma has three children: Carolyn, who is married to Ken Hand-werk, of Robesonia; Linda, who is married to the Rev. Fred Walthour, of Jacobus; and Jeff, who is married to Mariellen Kreger, of Bethlehem.She has six grandchildren: Randy Handwerk, and his wife, Donna, of Richland; Melissa, and her husband, Dan Platt, of Columbia; Scott Guillory, and his wife, Alice, of Hampton, Virginia; Matthew Guillory, and his wife, Tracey, of Palmyra; Ryan Hittner of Jackson, Wyoming; and Nicole Hittner of New York, New York.She has three great-grandchildren: Ashley, wife of Kyle Brown, of Newmanstown; Megan, wife of Tyler Boyer, of Womelsdorf; and Cristin, wife of Matthew Boyer, of Etters; and four step-great-grandchildren: Danielle, wife of Jonathan Brewer, of Lebanon; Amanda, wife of Ray Gulliver, of Palmyra; and Taylor and Zachary Caley of Palmyra.She has four great-great-grandchildren, one of whom is named Emma; and three step-great-great-grandchildren.Emma is one of 16 children. She has four sisters and three brothers remaining, ages 80-95. They are: Harold Hoffman; Richard Hoffman; Margaret Kluk, who is married to Joseph; Ella Kunkle, who is married to Kenneth, of Arizona; Josephine Gower; Preston Hoffman, who is married to Marion; and Helen Serfass of Delaware.Emma has been a member of St. John's UCC, Palmerton for 75 years, and until last year, had been part of their quilters group for 17 years.She was also a member of the Ruby Belles of Carbon County Red Hatters Palmerton for 11 years.To celebrate her milestone birthday, Emma had an "I had a dream" birthday party on Dec. 10 at the Aquashicola Fire Company in Palmerton.Elvis impersonator Jeff Krick of Sinking Spring was the surprise entertainment for about 170 guests, family and friends.Emma's family says she is young at heart and loves life.