Painter Ted Whipple, winner of a 2004 Heart of the Arts Award and resident of Elizabeth Church Manor, celebrated his 100th birthday on June 14 with a party organized by his family. In honor of his birthday, Ted and his family donated his 1971 painting of the windmill at Ericeira, Portugal to Elizabeth Church Manor. Ted said that windmills had been one of his favorite painting subjects because they are so distinctive. He credits his longevity to two decades of eating a bowl of Cap’n Crunch cereal every morning and Lorna Doone cookies every evening. Son Bob Whipple wrote to the Quaker Oats Company, which makes Cap’n Crunch, and told them about his father’s devotion to their cereal. Quaker issued a fan proclamation naming Ted “The Ripe and Honorable Fellow of the Loyal Order of the Cap’n,” and sent a Cap’n Crunch t-shirt. Ted also received a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
A native of Binghamton, Thornton W. “Ted” Whipple began painting in 1963, at the age of 50. A member, and past President, of The Artists Guild, Ted studied principally with Cecil Popolo at the Roberson Center for the Arts & Science, and with Revington Arthur at the Chautauqua Institute. He also belonged to the International Society of Artists and other local artist’s societies, active in community affairs, and in 2004 was honored with the Broome County Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts Award.
Ted Whipple with his 2004 Heart of the Arts Award from BCAC.
