Family and friends of Helen Taylor gathered Sunday at Bethel United Methodist Church to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Were all so happy to be here and celebrate her, said Dawson County Commissioner Chair Mike Berg, who emceed the event. He also read a proclamation that honored her.

There to wish Taylor a happy birthday were members of the Historical Society, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, Dawson County Homeowners and Civic Organization, Bowen Center for the Arts, Dawson County Democratic Party and Retired Educators -- just a few of the organizations Taylor touched since she moved to Dawson County in 1982.

The Dawson Community Chorale sang happy birthday, and Taylor received a plaque and a care book to remember the occasion.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Taylor said. I am humbled, I am grateful, I am overwhelmed. And if most of you wouldnt laugh, Id say Im speechless.

The crowd of at least 200 did laugh.

Taylor spoke of the many involvements she and her husband, Morris, embarked on, even though they came to Dawson County to retire. The proclamation, she said, wasnt just for her.

I want to say its not just Helen Taylor day, its Helen and Morris Taylor day, she said. I thank you I married into Dawson County and so I can say, Thank you, Lord, I am a Dawson Countian.