Anita, the 90-year-old who landed a daily ‘happy hour’ at her nursing home: “We are celebrating this golden era”
The grandmother of five refused to accept that growing older should mean giving up one of life’s simple pleasures: sharing a glass of wine with friends at the end of the day.
For Anita LeBrun, getting older shouldn’t mean giving up the traditions that have brought joy throughout her life.
The 90-year-old grandmother of five launched a campaign after learning that her senior living community in Champlin, Minnesota, couldn’t serve residents a glass of wine or champagne during community events because it lacked the required liquor license.
Raise a glass to old age
To Anita, the rule simply didn’t make sense.
Having spent years enjoying family gatherings over a glass of pinot grigio, she decided to do something about it. At age 82, she appeared before the Minnesota House and Senate to make a simple argument: moving into a senior living community shouldn’t mean losing freedoms that adults enjoy in their own homes.
Her message was heartfelt and straightforward.
“My friends and I love happy hour, just like many of you do,” she told lawmakers. “As we share a drink, we remember our lives, our military service, our families, the friends who are no longer with us, and we celebrate this golden stage of our lives.”
Her campaign worked.
Grandparents’ Happy Hour Law
Minnesota has now approved what’s become popularly known as the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour Law.” The measure allows nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve alcohol to residents and their guests during special events without obtaining a traditional commercial liquor license, provided state regulators are notified in advance.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz even visited Anita’s community to celebrate the ceremonial signing of the new law.
“Growing older shouldn’t mean giving up the traditions and freedoms you’ve enjoyed your entire life,” Walz said during the event.
The legislation was included as part of Minnesota’s broader alcohol law package passed this year.
At its heart, though, Anita’s campaign was never really about wine.
It was about independence. It was about preserving the ability to make your own choices in your 80s, your 90s and beyond. It was about holding onto the traditions that help build friendships and community.
Her senior living community is now planning a celebration of its own. Anita, who has become something of a local celebrity, has shown that it’s never too late to change a law—or to raise a glass.
Sometimes the biggest political victories don’t begin in government offices or legislative chambers. Sometimes they begin around a shared table at five o’clock in the afternoon, where friends simply want to toast life together.
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