I had a very strange experience this morning. I was doing my daily census (as if I don't have anything better to do) and when I checked one of my elderlies who was 64 yesterday morning. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that she was 58. Strange, huh? The gong had nothing to do with it. Yesterday's gong present was "takes away youth" so she should have gotten older on the spot instead of younger overnight and it didn't effect anyone that I could see anyway.
I was reading a few of the posts about making elders as I was searching to see if anyone had had this happen to them and I saw the one about the gong granting knowledge. I had a guy villager made an elder on the spot when the gong granted him knowledge in 2 skill areas. It was very strange.

I dont know that does sound strange but it could have been a glitch or an island event.

Are you absolutely certain the line said "takes away youth"? Did you get a green cloud, or a shower of sparkles, or a series of rainbows?

I might be inclined to second arnies question, the gong does "grants youth" could you have read it wrong? if not its a glitch without an event or gong change. But somestimes glitched happen.

It was definately "takes away" and there was a green cloud. She was the only one I noticed. I'm obsessive-compulsive and it really isn't good for me to play one of these games. I keep records and lists---island events, what the gong says, islanders names, parent names, etc., so I know what the gong said and what island events had taken place...no luck on those fronts. Must have been some kind of glitch. She died yesterday of old age.

sorry to hear that but as they do age rather fast even on half speed,, its bound to happen. but she had a good run by the sounds of it ,, and got a little extra time.