Family and friends joined Clarence Beam at the Tel Hai Retirement community on April 13 to celebrate his 100th birthday. Clarence was presented with an official Phillies jersey with the number 100 and his nickname, "Baldy," on the back from the Philadelphia Phillies.

He is the oldest of ten children who grew up on a farm in Chester County. Five of Clarence's siblings -- Bob Beam, Blanche Hilton, Elmira Thomas, Raymond Beam, and Pauline Kenworthy -- are still living. Their parents were William and Roxanna Beam. Clarence was also joined by his children, Richard Beam, Stephen Beam, Marianne Abdul, and Diane Clark, along with his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Two important family members who have passed on are Mary Esther Beam, Clarence's wife; and Jeanne Reice, his eldest daughter. Clarence lived in Downingtown most of his life, and worked for Downingtown Paper Company for 42 years. He was, and still is, a Phillies fan, and the spring training stories get better every year. He enjoys playing cards and spending time with his family, and when you ask him how he's doing, his response is always "not too bad for an old man." His most recent goal is to live to 110.