Orlean Castronis is a retired former journalist, the widow of one of the most popular players and coaches ever to wear the Red and Black, and likely the only living person to have seen Harry Mehre coach a game live between the hedges of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.
You see, this delightful, sanguine, and energetic co-ed of yesteryear is 100 years old. “Yes,” she smiles. “I have reached the century mark.” But she’s certainly not making a fuss about it. Her genuine modesty won’t allow that.
Looking much younger than she is, Orlean does not own up to a secret potion for longevity. Still, when you become aware of her daily routine, you most likely would realize exercise certainly must be a consequential factor.
Every day, she rises at Talmadge Terrace on Athens’ west side, gets in her 2007 Honda, and drives herself to the Athens YMCA, where she exercises for a couple of hours: half an hour on the treadmill, half an hour on the “stepper,” and half an hour lifting weights. It is a relaxed routine with brief rests in between, but consistency is Orlean’s hallmark.
She rarely takes a day off. Orlean might go grocery shopping when exercise ends, depending on what’s on the Talmadge Terrace menu that day. She has faith that fresh fruits and vegetables will keep her going.
Her disclosure that she ends her day with a couple of vodka tonics as the evening shadows encroach accompanies a big smile.
“I certainly have an affinity for sipping casually as I watch the news,” Orlean admits. I have always been a fan of the news, although I don’t care for some of the characters who dominate the nightly news. “When I started working at the International News Service after graduation, I wore heels to the office, which was right downtown at the corner of Marietta and Broad Streets. That meant when the legislature was in session, I had to walk over to the Capitol to cover the political scene. That was pretty good exercise. I enjoyed that experience, and I keep up with the news. I guess you could say I enjoy politics, but there are a few politicians I don’t like.”
A native of Augusta, Orlean came to Georgia as a freshman in 1941 and enrolled in the Henry Grady School of Journalism. World War II soon was raging on two fronts, which meant opportunities for women were off the charts by the time she graduated in 1944. She always enrolled in summer school, which allowed her to graduate early.
Her husband-to-be, Mike Castronis, was declared 4F (not qualified for military service), owing to a pickup-softball-game injury. He was blocking the plate as a catcher when the baserunner collided with him and “caused his kidney to explode,” Orlean explains.
While he did not have to go off to war, Mike was cleared to play football, which was pretty much his decision. He lettered in 1943, ‘44, and ‘45 as a three-time All-SEC lineman. He had an outstanding year for the Bulldogs as a senior in 1945 and was chosen All-America by the International News Service, Orlean’s employer, but she insists she did not influence the decision
“All his teammates accused me of getting him recognized, but I was not able to do that,” Orlean says. “I was happy that he made All-America, which was a great honor. I think he deserved it, but he didn’t get any help from me.”
“Coach Mike,” as he was called at Georgia, became one of the most beloved personalities in the history of Bulldog athletics, but he was best known across the state for his work with the Athens Y camp at Tallulah Falls. Mike was so popular and well known that his friends felt that if he ran for governor, he would have been a cinch at the ballot box
Every home game on Saturday, you will still find Orlean in Sanford Stadium, cheering on the Dawgs and never fussing about the weather. She, along with daughters Mary and Helen and son Mike, show up “rain or shine.”
“We really like the night games,” Orlean says.
I was happy to see them name the field for Coach (Vince) Dooley,” she adds. “He made arrangements for us to keep our tickets, and we will always be grateful for that.”
While she did not say so, her favorite song is probably Bob Hope’s popular anthem, “Thanks for the memories.”
She has enjoyed countless memories in her lifetime, one of which was a phone call to the entertainer while working at INS.
There was a rumor that he had been in a plane crash in the Tampa area, and an editor advised me to ‘find out.’ So, I got him on the phone and asked him. He laughed and said, ‘No, I am sitting here, enjoying talking to you.'
Now that she has reached the century milestone, Orlean says, “I think I’ll go for two hundred.”
Don’t bet against it. I hope she makes it – and I also hope I’ll be there to interview her!