Eleanor Harris Celebrates 100th Birthday

Note: Eleanor's official 100th birthday is April 4th. Her family has gathered to celebrate an early 100th birthday on February 19th, so all may attend.

Eleanor Harris - 100 Years of Living Well
by Jay Harris (grandson)

Eleanor Louise Suess was born April 4, 1912, in McCook, Nebraska, to Louis and Ethel Suess. She grew up in McCook, where DeGroff’s “department store” was managed by her father. Eleanor graduated from McCook High School, then was among McCook Junior College’s third graduating class. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, majoring in music education and minoring in history. After graduating, she was hired as school music supervisor in Bayard, Nebraska, where she taught for two years. She then ventured east to attend The Julliard School (of Music) and Columbia University in New York City, where she received a Master’s degree in music education.

In 1935, Eleanor met John T. Harris (from Opelika, Alabama) in New York City. They were married in Auburn, Alabama, on April 9, 1936. Despite challenging economic times, they kept the Harris family farm in Opelika, Alabama, going with a combination of hard work and ingenuity. In 1945, they moved to McCook, where John T. became manager of DeGroff’s and the family cattle ranch and feedlot.

While raising six sons, Eleanor still had energy to contribute on behalf of her home town. She co-founded the McCook Community College Foundation and developed McCook’s first history museum (leading to the creation of the High Plains Historical Society). She helped spark a community orchestra and chorus, and the implementation of an orchestra in the McCook School system. The community enjoyed her skilled playing of the violin and piano for many decades. Eleanor also contributed years of service to the Nebraska Arts Council (including a role as vice-chairwoman) and the Mid-America Arts Alliance, a six state organization.

During retirement years spent in Nebraska and at the family farm in Alabama, Eleanor and John T. traveled the U.S. and the world. During that time, they initiated and helped develop the Museum of East Alabama in Opelika. The girl from the Great Plains now lives on the “Plains of Auburn,” enjoying numerous activities and frequent visits from loving sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Eleanor will be 100 years old on April 4th, 2012, a life exemplifying her own creed, “Day by day, in every way, better and better.”

Click to read more about Eleanor and view photos of her life.

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Happy 109th Bishop Otis G. Clark

Celebrating African-American History Month

Bishop Otis G. Clark was born on February 13, 1903, in Oklahoma. At the time, Oklahoma was still Indian Territory and it did not become a state until 1907.

The National Centenarian Awareness Project featured Bishop Clark on its February, 2008, calendar. Click to view the calendar and read more about Bishop Clark.

Of Interest
Evangelist Clark is older than the state of Oklahoma, which was incorporated in 1907.

He knew original members of the Azusa Street Mission, which was started by William J. Seymour in 1906 and was given the power of attorney of the original Azusa Street Mission.

He is a 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Survivor. This took place on America’s Black Wall street, the Greenwood district of Tulsa, OK.

He still lives independently

He takes no medications

He has all of his natural teeth

He does not regularly wear glasses with the exception of reading glasses

He eats a healthy and balanced diet of lean beef, chicken, fruits and vegetables

He threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Boston Red Sox the year they won the World Series

He traveled on a mission trip to Africa. The first when he was 103 yrs old and the second when he was 104 yrs old and went to the West Indies at 107

He is the world's oldest traveling minister

To read more about Bishop Clark, visit Life Enrichment Ministries: http://www.lifeenrichmentinc.com/

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Grandma Louise Turns 100!

Louise Brooks was the first of five children born to Will Laster and Jennie (Farrar) Laster. She was a precocious child who learned how to walk at seven months old! As she has informed all of her children, grandchildren, great-grands and great-great-grands, "I've been working every day since I was seven years old!"

She never had much of a childhood at all. When her mother and father were working, she would be at home taking care of her sick grandmother (Addie Farrar) and her younger siblings. She would put the dinner on and would have to stand on a box to reach the stove.

Grandma Louise has always been a feisty, courageous, energetic woman who says what she means and means what she says. She is known to speak her mind, and her funny yet wise sayings have been entertaining generations of her descendents for years. She is both deeply loved and widely feared. She's quick-witted and can still tell you off six ways to Sunday in the blink of an eye.

Grandma Louise has been blessed not only with longevity but also with excellent health. She was in her nineties the first time she needed hospitalization. She still gets around great as ever and can frequently be found in the kitchen cooking up the best biscuits in the whole world. Her hobbies are reading and playing cross-word and number puzzles.

Grandma is a matriarch who loves us all with a fierceness that only a true mother can. We are proud of her and we love her because as the foundation of our family, the pillar upon which we stand, she has helped make us who we are today.

Her Loving Family
Click to view a YouTube video tribute to Grandma Louise.

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101 Year Old to Show 81 Year Old Packard

Margaret Dunning, 101, (in photo above) to show her 1930 Packard Roadster at the Concours d’Elegance of America – both driver and car looking good and running fine…

David Packard would be proud of Ms. Dunning of Plymouth, Michigan, who will exhibit one of his great touring cars later this month. The prestigious event is being held this year in her hometown.

“I love this car, I really do,” she was quoted as saying in the New York Times Automobiles Section on Sunday, July 10. Ms. Dunning has owned the Packard since 1949. It has been painstakingly restored and maintained; her mechanic has a lot of experience – he’s 90. But she keeps her hand in, too, still changing the oil herself.

A collector and car enthusiast, Ms. Dunning belongs to car clubs including the Michigan Region Classic Car Club of America. Her father taught her to drive in a Model T at the age of 12; Henry Ford himself was a neighbor and a friend. She has had a love of cars ever since and has owned numerous antique and classic cars over the years and often drives to car meets. She presently has a 1931 Ford Model A, a 1966 Cadillac DeVille, a 1975 Cadillac Eldorado convertible; for everyday use she drives a 2003 DeVille that she plans to replace soon but hasn’t decided on her next vehicle yet.

Click to read the story of Ms. Dunning’s life and love of automobiles and view slideshow and video.

Photo credit: Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

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Celebrating Fathers Day

Col. Benjamin White Heckemeyer

Presented by eldest daughter Susie

My father, who turned 100 on April 22nd, is one of five remaining classmates of the 1935 class at West Point. He was part of the US Cavalry and attended Harvard for post-graduate work in foreign affairs where he received his Masters. He worked as an aide for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. After which, he was ordered to the Intelligence Division of the War Department. He served under General MacArthur in the South Pacific, and in Korea he was Asst. Chief of Staff for G-2. He served the army in many other assignments and ended his military career at Fort Monroe, VA, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence.

After 35 years of service and two Legion of Merit Awards, he retired to be with his wonderful wife, Collette, and five daughters who have had varied careers. He currently has seven grandchildren -- all embarking upon various careers as well.

Pictured: Col. Heckemeyer with his family.

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Honoring World War II Veterans

Written by Nancy Page

Honor Flight Arizona:
It's an opportunity to bring WWII vets to their memorial.

World War II was truly a global conflict that threatened the stability of the entire world. In 1939, Hitler attacked Poland, eventually spreading fear and death across Europe. In the United States, our nation was in a severe financial depression and declined to become involved in the battles raging across Europe. That all changed on December 7, 1941, a “day that will live in infamy.”

Early on a peaceful Sunday morning, Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing thousands of American servicemen. By December 8th the United States was at war with Japan and on December 11th, the U.S. declared war against Germany and Italy. By the end of WWII, 16 million American men and women had answered the call to serve. Almost half a million of them died. The remaining Merchant Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guard and Marines trickled home over the next few years, and quietly returned to their lives, families and jobs.

Fast forward to the Vietnam Conflict. After this war ended, the American people began to acknowledge those veterans’ sacrifices by erecting the Vietnam wall in Washington, D.C. This was soon followed by the construction of the Korean Memorial. Slowly, it was realized that a WWII Memorial had never been built. While the Iwo Jima Memorial stood as a tribute to the Marines, no place of honor existed for all WWII Veterans.

This was rectified when the WWII Memorial was dedicated in 2004, over 60 years after the end of that war. Located on the National Mall, it gives tribute to the widespread and costly price paid by our heroes who saved our nation in those dark days.

The time had come for the final mission of WWII. In 2004, Earl Morse, a Physician’s Assistant who worked in Ohio, found that most of his patients would never be able to travel to see their Memorial due to health or financial concerns. Earl set out to fly some of them in private planes to Washington, D.C. The trip was such a success, that he launched Honor Flight Network to assist other WWII veterans on their journey to the Memorial. The concept rapidly spread across the country, arriving in Arizona in 2008.











(Pictured: L to R Glen Thompson, Dennis Kavanaugh and Don Casey)

Honor Flight Arizona began flying WWII veterans to the nation’s capitol in 2009 for a 3-day trip of commemoration and remembrance. These flights are completely free to the veterans and are funded entirely by donations. Volunteers pay their own way to accompany the veterans - who are 85-96 years old - to ensure their safety and enjoyment. However this mission is a finite one. Only one of four WWII veterans is still alive today. Twelve hundred WWII veterans are dying each day across the country.

Currently, Honor Flight Arizona has 300 veterans on their list waiting to fly, including 22 from Yavapai County. It is hoped that with an increase in support, Honor Flight Arizona will be able to show gratitude to the veterans who reside in our state. The cost to fly each veteran to Washington, D.C for the three-day trip is $850.00.

Honor Flight AZ is a non-profit organization managed solely by volunteers. There are no paid employees. The primary office is located right here in Prescott. If you are interested in learning more about this cause, you can go to http://www.honorflightaz.org/ , email info@honorflightaz.org. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (928) 377-1020


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Centenarian Florence Tuckman

Karen Nichols introduces us to her extraordinary grandmother, Florence Tuckman.

Florence Tuckman was born on January 31, 1903. In that year, Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was President and the United States had a population of 80 million people. There were only 45 stars on our flag and federal spending was $520 Million. Today, Barack Obama is President and the United States has grown into a nation of 300 million people with an annual budget of $2.5 trillion! Florence has lived through 19 presidents in her lifetime. Women didn’t even get the opportunity to vote until 1920.

Florence’s parents were Harry and Teresa. They were of Armenian decent; their families immigrated to the United States in 1895. In those days a transatlantic passage in steerage cost $10.00 per person, and immigrants were entering the country at a rate of a million per year. It’s no wonder only 1 in 10 could read and write. Harry and Teresa married in 1900 and settled in Philadelphia, PA. Florence was the second of their four children.

America in 1903, the year Florence was born, was a very different place than it is today. Back then, only 14% of homes had bathtubs. Public bathhouses were the main means of bathing. Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo! Only 8% of households had a telephone. There was no income tax! And there were no movie stars either - movies had not been invented yet.

Here are a few other facts about life in those good old days:

• The first movie with a plot was Thomas Edison’s Great Train Robbery.
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
• 8% of homes had telephones and a three minute call from Denver to New York City cost $11.
• The first World Series took place in Boston with the Red Sox and Pittsburgh. The Red Sox won.
• The Wright Brothers flew their gasoline powered “flyer I”.
• Porcelain is first used for filing teeth cavities.
• Harley Davidson and Ford Motor Company were incorporated.
• Life expectancy was 47.
• More than 95 % of all births were at home, and Florence was no exception.
• The average wage was 22 cents/hour.
• And financially: The average worker earned between $ 13/week and put in about 60 hours!
A dentist earned $ 2500.00/year.

Homes had no air conditioning back in 1903, so summers were extremely hot. To cool off, the Aramian family spent their time in Atlantic City. It is one of Florence’s most memorable times of her life. Back home, they attended dances at either the Armenian Church or entertained at home, where they boasted one of the first hand-cranked Victrolas on the market.

Florence married Leo Tuckman in 1936 and moved to California where she currently resides. She has a daughter Joyce, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Florence has seen so many changes in her lifetime: electricity, refrigerators, microwaves, radio, television, movies, polio vaccine, penicillin, airplanes, automobiles, six major wars, computers, and the internet. It’s amazing she wasn’t around for bookbinding! Is there anything out there older than Florence? Rest assured. The bristle cone pine trees are the oldest living things at 4000 years and counting. A new challenge for Florence!

Yes, life has dramatically changed in the last 108 years, but to Florence some things remain the same. She is always properly dressed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. She has never worn a pair of pants in her life! Florence still enjoys an active social life. Every Sunday, children visit grandma and play cards!

Photo: Florence and her family celebrating her 106th birthday in 2009.

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Happy 100th Harold Rowe!

Harold Rowe celebrated his 100th birthday on March 3rd and even made it on the Smucker’s jar on the TODAY SHOW with Willard Scott.

Originally from upstate New York, Harold and his wife of 76 years, Julie, moved to Georgia in October 2006 to live with daughter Susan and husband Gary and their grandchildren.

In 1941, Harold founded the North Greenbush Ambulance Association, using his dry cleaning truck. He was the first chief and is now an honorary life member. He is also an honorary life member of the Wynantskill Volunteer Fire Department. Harold’s other achievements include being a certified NRA instructor (pistol, shot gun and rifle), as well as a Home Safety and Police Fire Arms instructor.

After owning Rowe’s Cleaners for 35 years, Harold started his second career in 1970 with the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, where he was assigned to Road Patrol. After one year he transferred to the ID Division. His excellence in photography was known state-wide and he assisted several local police departments. He took special Advanced Criminal Photography courses at HVCC and Russell Sage and assisted the NYS Police, Troy Police and Rensselaer Police. For numerous years Harold was the ID Officer for the North Greenbush Police Department. He retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 1982, at the age of 72.

Harold is a life member of the Troy Elks Lodge 141, serving in many capacities: Tiler for 33 years, Official Photographer and Officer of the Year, 1997-1998. He was also the founder of St. Jude’s Horse Show, which raised funds to build a church and school and was the past assistant commissioner of Boy Scouts for 50 years.

Harold walks a block and back every day with his walker and waves to all who pass by. A birthday party was held on March 6th, with guests coming from New York, Colorado, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. He is attending another large birthday party in his hometown in New York later this month. — Contributed by Harold's daughter Susan. (Edited for content.)


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Sue Whiddon celebrates her 104th birthday - with a surprise!

Beloved and admired elementary school teacher Sue Whiddon celebrated her 104th birthday with 400 guests from her hometown in attendance.

"The line to greet her went round the block," her daughter-in-law, Judy, said proudly. One can imagine that after greeting a few hundred well-wishers, Mrs. Whiddon was getting a little weary - and then suddenly a complete surprise: Standing before her was her college roommate, Eloise Rogers, 101, (see photo at left of Sue, seated, and Eloise) who lives in another state. A joyous reunion quickly followed; the two former co-eds are now centenarians! What a happy coincidence.

Mrs. Whiddon has her own apartment, still drives, engages in church and community activities and is "fiercely independent," friends say.


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Babies Born Today Should Live to 100

Associated Press

Most babies born in rich countries this century will eventually make it to their 100th birthday, new research says. Danish experts say that since the 20th century, people in developed countries are living about three decades longer than in the past. Surprisingly, the trend shows little sign of slowing down.

In an article published Friday in the medical journal The Lancet, the researchers write that the process of aging may be "modifiable."

James Vaupel of the Max Planck Institute in Germany and colleagues in Denmark examined studies published globally in 2004-2005 on numerous issues related to aging. They found life expectancy is increasing steadily in most countries, even beyond the limits of what scientists first thought possible.

In Japan, for instance, which has the world's longest life expectancy, more than half of the country's 80-year-old women are expected to live to 90.

"Improvements in health care are leading to ever slowing rates of aging, challenging the idea that there is a fixed ceiling to human longevity," said David Gems, an aging expert at University College London. Gems was not connected to the research, and is studying drugs that can lengthen the life span of mice, which may one day have applications for people.

"Laboratory studies of mice, including our own, demonstrate that if you slow aging even just a little, it has a strong protective effect," he said. "A pill that slowed aging could provide protection against the whole gamut of aging-related diseases."

While illnesses affecting the elderly like heart disease, cancer and diabetes are rising, advances in medical treatment are also making it possible for them to remain active for longer. The obesity epidemic, however, may complicate matters. Extra weight makes people more susceptible to diseases and may increase their risk of dying.

In the U.S., data from 1982 to 2000 showed a major drop in illness and disability among the elderly, though that has now begun to reverse, probably linked to the rise in obesity.

The graying population will slowly radically transform society, and retirement ages may soon be pushed back, said Richard Suzman, an aging expert at the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

"We are within five to 10 years of a watershed event where there will be more people on earth over 65 than there under five," he said. "Those extra years need to be financed somehow and we need to start thinking about it now."

Photo: Laural Hendrix, 104, holds her great-great granddaughter.

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Reaching 100 // Lynn Adler and Elsa Hoffman Interview

Lynn and Elsa enjoyed the hour long interview with Dr. Katherine Albrecht last Friday, October 2nd; she used our website as a guide and marveled at how “young” Elsa looks! Elsa said her life continues to get better and more interesting, and she’s looking forward to her 102nd birthday on October 11, and to the cruise to celebrate, which has become an annual event now.

Interview date: Friday, October 2nd
Click to listen to the interview: http://www.katherinealbrecht.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=20&Itemid=75

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National Centenarian Day - September 22nd

To 100 year olds and all of those even older, we celebrate — on this day particularly — your remarkable achievements. Though this holiday is not as well known as other holidays that we celebrate with cards and gifts and such, National Centenarians Day is becoming more recognized. As our population has grown, so has the number of centenarians. In fact, as of July, 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are about 96,000 centenarians and that’s a number that is increasing steadily.

Do you know someone 100 years old or older? Take time today to wish him or her “Happy Centenarians Day!” Centenarians have had an extraordinary journey: born when Teddy Roosevelt was president, a gallon of milk was 32 cents, bread was a nickel a loaf and the cost of a postage stamp was 2 cents. Imagine all of the stories they have to tell!
Pictured: Miriam Krotzer, Vicente Osorio and “Teddy” Schalow.

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Starting to get crowded in 100-year-olds' club

By HOPE YEN (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON — It's starting to get crowded in the 100-year-olds' club. Once virtually nonexistent, the world's population of centenarians is projected to reach nearly 6 million by midcentury. That's pushing the median age toward 50 in many developed nations and challenging views of what it means to be old and middle-age.

The number of centenarians already has jumped from an estimated few thousand in 1950 to more than 340,000 worldwide today, with the highest concentrations in the U.S. and Japan, according to the latest Census Bureau figures. Their numbers are projected to grow at more than 20 times the rates of the total population by 2050, making them the fastest growing age segment.

Demographers attribute booming long-livers to decades of medical advances and improved diets, which have reduced heart disease and stroke. Genetics and lifestyle also play a factor. So, too, do doctors who are more willing to aggressively treat the health problems of people once considered too old for such care.

"My parents are 86 and 87 and they're going strong, with my dad driving all over the place, so I've already told my financial planners that I'm going to live to at least 96," said Susan Ryckman, 61, as she walked around New York City, an iPod and iPhone in hand.

"As long as I'm not mentally and physically infirm, I'd like to live as long as I can," she said.

Click to read full article: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hlUN9XEPYeyE9nq7EOTCfYKGmLQQD99HHH580

Photo: In this April 18, 2009, file photo, Emma Hendrickson, 100, of Morris Plains, N.J., throws the ball at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/The Gazette-Journal, Liz Margerum)



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104-year-old Ivy loves to Twitter

By HARRY HAYDON
The Sun UK
Published: 15 May 2009
Photo: Bob Collier/PA Wire

Silver surfer Ivy Bean has become the oldest UK user of Twitter - at 103. The great gran decided to join the social networking site after getting bored with Facebook, where she had built up 4,800 friends. She proudly told her web readers yesterday: "I'm enjoying Twitter and having my photo taken - and I'm looking forward to Deal Or No Deal."

Ex-mill worker Ivy got a helping hand to smooth her switch to Twitter by calling in IT experts The Geek Squad. Boss Martin Dix said: "It's brilliant to help someone as inspirational as Ivy to get started and teach her about Twitter. She's already signed up to Facebook with 4,800 friends. She shows others that you shouldn't be frightened of technology."

Ivy's enthusiasm is spreading among her friends at Hillside Manor care home in Bradford, West Yorks. Manager Pat Wright said: "All the residents are taking a leaf out of her book. Four signed up for computer college. Others have joined Facebook or surf the net and enjoy themselves with ten-pin bowling on the games console."

Twitter membership figures are soaring, thanks to its popularity with celebrities such as US President Barack Obama, singer Britney Spears and TV star Stephen Fry. It appeals to youngsters because its snappy instant message system can spread idle chit-chat among a worldwide audience. But recent figures showed that people aged 45 to 54 are the site's leading users.

The Geek Squad has dubbed today Silver Surfers' Day. It aims to use it to encourage more elderly people to get online and start connecting with friends and family around the globe.

Blame it on Ivy!

We haven’t posted in a while, but we’re now on Facebook and most recently Twitter! I connected with Ivy via e-mail when I discovered her on Facebook and we enjoyed several conversations. I think it’s wonderful for this spunky centenarian to embrace today’s technology and certainly an inspiration for others. Then, Ivy said she was trying Twitter – AND she now has 18,000 followers (when I last checked) – that’s more than many Hollywood celebs! Go Ivy! So I then decided that if Ivy’s doing it and has attracted so much attention that perhaps people would be interested in learning about other centenarians, particularly in the U.S. So I decided to join the Twitterverse.

Coincidently, a Boomer group I belong to was offering classes in Twitter and some other social networking sites, so I signed up for them. But Twitter really caught my attention (and interestingly, in the article, Ivy says she prefers it to Facebook). So I started a Twitter page, which for tech-challenged me was no small feat, and spent one entire week – no kidding – totally absorbed; in fact, one Sat. night I stayed up until 7:00 am, learning by reading other sites to see the kinds of posts. Then came the ultimate challenge for me – the 140 characters – THAT took a lot of skill. I still haven’t figured out how to post the links to articles, etc. (it was only a beginners’ class that I took), but will get to it. And then, I started getting a few followers and making connections. It’s still in it’s infancy – well, maybe gestation – but at least we’re there!

Click to follow us on

Now I’m trying to get Elsa Hoffman interested, but she says she’s too busy with her real life social life for cyberspace. It’s not for everyone, but for Ivy and me, we’re loving it! It’s fun.

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Garnett Beckman turns 102 – Still on top of her game!

Bridge, that is. Avid bridge player, as well as hiker (see blog post for March 26th), Garnett Beckman (pictured at left with Lynn) celebrated her 102 birthday on April 23rd at the senior center where she plays duplicate bridge every Tuesday night. The large community center room was packed with her friends and admirers – as well as competitors at the bridge table. “Garnett is a serious player,” one of them remarked. “She’s very competitive.”

Garnett also teaches bridge, informally, in her apartment where she has a permanent table set up, to those of us who never took the time to learn. She invited me to join the Friday morning group, all about my age – her neighbor, a lawyer, a photo/journalist and now me. The last time I had cards in my hand was when my Grandmother used to play Old Maid and Go Fish with me whenever I was sick with some childhood malady – and she would let me win.

Garnet is serious, all right, but she’s also very intelligent and knows just how to initiate someone like me with no skills to the game, and her other “students” were very helpful. I’m sure my first lesson was boring for them all. Eventually, I gave up and just let Garnett play my hand – I think that was after I splattered the deck of cards, trying to learn to shuffle them.

Garnett – true to her spirit – has not given up on me. Early one morning she called to tell me that there was an article on the front page of The New York Times about the benefits of playing bridge as one ages, and featuring an almost-centenarian. It was titled “At the Bridge Table, Clues to a Lucid Old Age” and that I’d better read it, adding: “So I’ll see you next Friday morning. It’s for your own good” “You bet,” I answered. She shot right back: “No, we don’t play for money.”

Garnett is one of many extraordinary centenarians that appear on our site, and she is inspiration enough all on her own and a wonderful role model for so much of what’s good about living long and aging well. She’s a good and caring friend. And a heck of a good bridge player and teacher!

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Happy Mother's Day!

Photos l-r: 1.) Mary, Lynn's grandmother (here about age 16), was the inspiration for her work in the field of aging. 2.) Evelyn, Lynn's mother (here, age 17), always wanted to be a mother. 3.) New mother - Lynn's mom, Evelyn. She's pictured here with Lynn on her lap.

My mom's goal in life was to be a mother - she often said it was all she had ever wanted since she was a child. Thanks to me, she got to celebrate her first Mother's Day, and then went on to have a beautiful baby boy, who tragically only lived for three-and-a-half years. Then a miracle: she became the mother of twin sons when she was almost 40! God's blessing.

As my "best volunteer" throughout my years of work with centenarians, she was commonly known as "Lynn's Mom," which she enjoyed, and that said it all.

We wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers - and, yes, some great great grandmothers - everywhere! And I offer this message: Treasure your mother. Though she may drive you nuts sometimes, she is one-of-a-kind, a unique gift to be cherished - always. And the older you become, the more you will find this true.

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“Play Ball” ... It’s Music to Leo Baley’s Ears

“I like (to watch) basketball,” remarks centenarian Leo Baley, “but baseball’s my game, has been since I was a kid.” Leo (pictured at left) still has his first glove, which he keeps among his baseball memorabilia. It was very well used during his high school and college years. “Look at the difference between then and today, in the design,” he marvels. In law school, though, Leo had to give up the sport. “I was married at the time, working during the day and going to school at night; at my wife’s urging, I didn’t have time left for sports.” Leo describes himself as having been a “country lawyer,” but he spent part of his career working for the state of Wisconsin. “I retired as soon as I could, and my wife, who was a nurse, and I enjoyed life. We took cruises and one year drove up the Alaskan highway.”

Leo is still enjoying his retirement years, complete with a little baseball participation. For his 100th birthday last July 8th, he got to throw out the first ball at an Arizona Diamondback’s home game. He also got to meet some of the players and Joe Gargiola, Sr., pictured with Leo at the left. “That was a real thrill,” he tells. Is he looking forward to a repeat performance this year? “I doubt it,” Leo says with a smile. “That’s a once-in-a lifetime experience. But I’m glad the season’s started so I can watch the games on TV!” Leo has been a life-long Milwaukee Brewers fan; now residing in Arizona, he counts himself as one of the thousands of Arizona Diamondbacks fans.

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“Unsung Hero” – WWI Vet, Andrew E. Rasch

The predominant themes to Andy Rasch’s long life are his service to his country, concern for others and his desire for independence. At age 107, he remarkably continues to maintain all three. Andy, pictured at left, shows memorabilia from his military service.

Andy and his sister were orphaned before the age of 5 and placed in an orphanage in the Midwest where they were abused and neglected, “horribly,” Andy recalls. The memories of those years and of his mother’s tragic death in a train accident bring tears to his eyes. At the age of 16, Andy ran away, promising his sister he would return for her as soon as he could. Andy joined the Navy and has the documentation to prove it. He served aboard the USS Oklahoma battleship (pictured below) during WWI, and he has an array of ribbons for bravery and a flag from that era.

“They didn’t give medals – they gave ribbons, he recalls.” He points out the heavy fabric of the flag and the predominant white stitching at the edges: “They don’t sew flags with this type of stitching anymore,” he explains. Andy’s story about his WWI service was broadcast by a local TV station in 2006. The station verified his service with the Veterans Administration. Andy continues, talking in more detail about how he went into a burning section of the ship and rescued four men: “I kept going back in and pulling them out,” he says, “there was fire all around.”

Andy's story continues on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org

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Garnett Beckman – “Take a Hike”

Mid-western Garnett Beckman, 101, had always dreamed of hiking the Grand Canyon. When her son and his family moved to Arizona she had the opportunity to visit and left Phoenix one day for a tour of the Grand Canyon, she told her family. When she arrived, the spunky grandmother – barely 5 feet tall and weighing 96 pounds - did indeed hike down the Canyon.

“I thought that when you got to the bottom you just turned around and hiked back up,” she recalls. But when she reached the floor of the Canyon she realized that other hikers were spending the night, and so she made her way to Phantom Ranch, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow hikers at the ranch-style communal dinner and slept in a bunkhouse. “Early the next morning, I set out to make the hike back up,” she tells, and then I drove back to my son’s house.

What she had neglected to tell him was that she had made the trip solo – not with a group or a guide. “He had a fit,” she says with a mischievous laugh. Garnett was 75 years old at the time.

Since then, she has hiked the Canyon 22 times, twice more by herself, and the last time at age 95! Now she contents herself with daily walks of a mile or more, often with her younger friends – or alone if need be – and holds weekly bridge lessons for those of us unskilled in the popular card game. “I have people of all ages show up – everyone should learn to play bridge, she advises. It keeps your mind sharp.”

So does exercise, new research is showing – Garnett has come by this wisdom naturally, and is reaping the rewards in the enjoyment of life.


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Good Health and Aging

If you were in his presence, visiting with him, hearing one of his lectures on health and nutrition, or joining him for a brisk mile or two walk, you would think he’s a man of about 77. You would be off by 30 years.

At 107, Bernardo LaPallo (pictured) is a vibrant, articulate, inspirational centenarian and the author of “Age Less/Live More: Achieving Health and Vitality at 107 and Beyond.” In this slim volume, he passes on the wisdom he learned from his father, a physician, who set him on his course in life that has lead to both longevity and a very high quality of good health. And while it’s true that both of his parents lived long, Bernardo cautions against complacency – “Good genes can only take you so far,” he says confidently. “You also have to take good care of your health; that’s your responsibility.”

Born in Brazil, he grew up in New York City, has traveled widely, and lives independently with his wife of 50 years. He is working on his second book, which will be much larger, he explains, and will detail the nutrition plan he has followed from childhood, which obviously has served him well.

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Happy 103rd Birthday to our dear friend Rosie Ross!

On February 19th, Leonard "Rosie" Ross celebrates his 103rd birthday. Rosie, who has played the trumpet professionally since 1923, has appeared in print ads, a TV commercial for a financial company and was one of the "Fab Five" interviewed by Barbara Walters on her ABC TV special "Live to be 150," which aired in April of 2008 ... all of these endeavors happed after Rosie turned 100!

Says Rosie: “As long as people want to hear Clyde McCoy's Sugar Blues, I’ll live to play it for them!”

Read more about Rosie Ross on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/.

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Happy 100th Birthday to our Valentine's Birthday Gals!

Madie Thomas celebrates becoming a centenarian on February 13th. According to her grandson, Greg, Madie concentrates on staying healthy, enjoys tending to her garden and loves to read the Bible. Happy 100th Birthday, Madie!




Doris “Dodie” Haynes turns 100 on February 15th. A born lover of music, Dodie says music was always a family affair in her childhood home with everyone playing an instrument - piano and drums to the saxophone, violin and banjo. Dodie was an avid golfer and today enjoys weekly bridge games.


Do you know a centenarian whose birthday is February 14th? If so, please let us know. Register your centenarian on our website and be sure to recognize your centenarian with a special National Centenarian Awareness Project certificate. Click this link for details: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/ncap_centenarian_recognition.htm

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104-year-old bringing perspective to swearing-in

M.R. Kropko, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ella Mae Johnson hasn't just followed American history, she's lived it.

The 104-year-old woman from Cleveland plans to be in the District for one of the world's most anticipated moments: the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Mrs. Johnson, who is black and a former social worker, says she'll be here in her wheelchair no matter the weather, to see the country's first black president sworn into office.

"I admire him," she said last week from her home at a retirement and assisted-care facility.

This will be the first inauguration for Mrs. Johnson, a graduate of Nashville's Fisk University in 1925 who earned a master's degree at Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University) School of Applied Social Sciences in 1928.

She admires Mr. Obama, a Democrat, for having a message that goes deeper than just setting an example of what blacks in the United States can accomplish.

But she is more impressed with his young family, his willingness to show affection to his wife, Michelle, his daughters and his roots to Kenya.

"This affects young people in a way that's different," said Mrs. Johnson, who on Jan. 13 will be 105. "I think it's good for us all. He's leading the country in the direction of taking care of each other." ...
(excerpt, click for complete article: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/29/104-year-old-bringing-perspective-to-swearing-in/)
Photo: The Washington Times


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Happy Birthday Harry Adler!

Today, January 5th, we wish our centenarian friend Harry Adler Happy Birthday! It is his 102nd birthday. Born and raised in the Bronx, Harry, a retired postal worker, now lives independently in Florida, close to his family. They are close-knit and devoted to Harry. Pictured at left is (l-r) Harry, his son Alan, Alan’s wife Arlene and Harry’s granddaughter Michele. Harry and Michele have a standing dinner date once a week. Says Michele of her grandpa: “He’s a very special man.”

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Happy 103rd Birthday, Edna!

Edna Anderson, a 17-year resident of a Phoenix, Arizona, senior living community, celebrates her 103rd birthday December 24th. Edna was born on Christmas Eve in 1905, the same year American short-story writer O. Henry wrote “The Gift of the Magi.”

Edna is an active centenarian. She participates in her community’s social programs, which include bridge games and dances; does volunteer work and attends church every Sunday.

When Edna turn 100, in 2005, she was asked: "Is it is better to be old and wise, or young and carefree?” She replied: “Better to be older and carefree would be my preference ... Good health is the most important thing. Getting old is great. I don’t see as well, but since I don’t need a cane or walker I feel more like 75 or 80."

Happy 103rd Birthday to our inspirational Edna Anderson!

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A Coincidental Cruise

How fun is this?! A little while back I was speaking with Elsa Hoffmann, our celebrity centenarian from the “Living to be 150” Barbara Walters’ special that aired last spring. To celebrate her 101st birthday, Elsa and her daughter Joan had booked a Caribbean cruise.

A few days later I talked with our centenarian friend John Donnelly, who also reached his 101st birthday this year. To celebrate John and Marian (John’s wife) had also booked a Caribbean cruise. I asked about their cruise dates and the name of the ship. Turns out the Donnellys and Elsa and Joan were sailing the same days on the same ship! What a happy coincidence!

John Donnelly was schedule to be at the taping of the Barbara Walters special toward the end of 2007 in New York, but, unfortunately, became ill and had to cancel. John and Elsa, both National Centenarian Awareness Project special friends, never met. On the cruise the Donnellys located Elsa and Joan and all enjoyed their time together.

Pictured from left to right: Joan (Elsa's daughter), Marian & John Donnelly, and Elsa

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Happy Anniversary to Will & Lois Clark!

Will and Lois Clark reached another milestone together on November 12th: Each has crossed the Century mark and now the couple has celebrated 75 happy years together!

Congratulations!

The Clarks were featured on our Centenarian Calendar in July. To read more about this fascinating couple on our website, click here.


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Last known World War I veteran, 107, campaigns for memorial

By Dave Montgomery / McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — More than nine decades after driving ambulances on the battlefields of Europe, 107-year-old Frank Woodruff Buckles is the nation's last known survivor of World War I. Now he's also become the face of an ambitious campaign to erect a national memorial honoring the 4.6 million Americans who endured "the war to end all wars.''

...Buckles was born in 1901 in Harrison County, Mo. He lied about his age to enlist, telling a skeptical recruiter that Missouri didn't keep birth records when he was born. He was dispatched to England, then France, where he served as an ambulance driver. After the armistice, he delivered German POWs back to their home country.

Buckles spent the next 20 years as a merchant seaman before he was entangled in another world war. He was working in the Philippines in 1941 and was captured by the Japanese shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He spent the next three and a half years in Japanese prison camps.

After World War II, he returned to the United States, married and settled down on a 33-acre West Virginia farm, where he still lives. His wife died in 1999.

Buckles said World War I faded from his memory as he lived through the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the brutal experiences of World War II prison camps and the decades of mind-boggling technological advances that have accompanied him into a second century. But he said he'd started recalling many of his World War I days now that he'd been asked to participate in the movement to erect a memorial. ...
(excerpt; click for full article: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/174/story/52165.html)
Photo: Pete Souza / Chicago Tribune / MCT

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Centenarians Take Active Role in Presidential Election

Ann Nixon Cooper, 106 years old, has seen presidents come and go in her lifetime and has outlived most of them. On a sunny fall morning, she left her weathered but well-kept Tudor home in Atlanta, Georgia, to vote early -- this time for Barack Obama.

The African-American centenarian remembers a time not long ago when she was barred from voting because of her race. Now she hopes to see the day that Obama is elected as the nation's first black president.

…"Even if he didn't win, I was happy for him just to be nominated," said the former socialite. "The first black president -- isn't that something, at 106 years old?"
Source/photo: CNN

For Norm Peters, exercising the right to vote never gets old. Peters, who celebrated his 103rd birthday Monday with friends and family, has voted in every presidential election since he was "Hooverized" in 1928, casting his first vote for Herbert Hoover.

"Everyone was told to Hooverize, to economize," he said. "Maybe we could use a little of that today."

…Ever the GOP man, Peters filled out his absentee ballot last week, voting in support of Republican candidate John McCain.
Source/photo: Oakland Tribune

Amanda Jones, 109, the daughter of a man born into slavery, has lived a life long enough to touch three centuries. And after voting consistently as a Democrat for 70 years, she has voted early for the country's first black presidential nominee.
Source/photo: Austin American-Statesman

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Centenarian Author Waldo McBurney Releases New Audio Book

Four years ago, Waldo McBurney penned his autobiography. So, you’re thinking, many people write autobiographies. True. But the title of Waldo’s book clues you to its content: “My First 100 Years, A Look Back From the Finish Line.”

At the time his book was published in 2004 (see our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/cent_spotlight_archive.htm), Waldo was 102 years old and living independently with his wife Vernice in a small community in Kansas. He had 100 colonies of bees, processed honey and walked daily from his home to his office and the post office every day. He also gardened and traveled. Today, in 2008, the same is true for Waldo, who celebrated his 106th birthday in October. And, Waldo’s book is now available as an audio book with Waldo reading his own words.

The featured photo shows Waldo autographing copies of his audio book at the audio book’s release party, which was well attended. His audio book (and book) is available at http://www.amazon.com/, where a review by a customer stated: “What a treasure! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this wonderful story! … Waldo's detailed picture of hard work on the family farm in the early 1900s, and his reverence for a wise and thrifty Mother, who could run circles around Martha Stewart, encouraged me to count my blessings and to appreciate the modern day conveniences we so take for granted …”

Congratulations on another milestone, Waldo!

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