Celebrating 99 at The Chicken Inn

Every Wednesday night, people across Southwest Iowa call The Chicken Inn home. Whether dancing, enjoying the music or simply socializing, this Creston staple is especially full on summer nights. However, the dance hall was especially busy Wednesday, July 30.

A regular at The Chicken Inn, Ted Moran celebrated his 99th birthday surrounded by friends while dancing the night away. He even took some time to serenade the crowd by singing from his favorite genre, country western.

Moran has been coming to The Chicken Inn for decades. Originally from Montana, he found his way to Creston with his wife, where they settled.

Moran said he came to The Chicken Inn to dance with his wife for more than 20 years. Following her passing, he began dancing with friend Betty Schultz of Greenfield in 2016.

Along with his time dancing, Moran enjoys singing at The Chicken Inn from time to time.

“I’ve been singing for 50 years. Country western. I used to be, when they were alive, in The Stragglers band,” Moran said.

Now 99 years old, Moran said he continues to come back to dance and sing because of the people." Everybody knows me and everybody loves us and they’re friendly and we like to dance," Moran said.

Moran explained his main goal now is to reach a century alive.

“I want to live to be 100. They’ve never had anyone here that’s 100,” Moran said. “I didn’t think I’d make it this old.”