Live to 100 and Beyond

Grandma Louise Turns 100!

2011-12-29T00:07:00.008-07:00

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

2011-07-13T22:59:00.016-07:00

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

2011-06-19T14:51:00.009-07:00

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

2011-06-05T14:18:00.010-07:00

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

2011-02-20T17:32:00.016-07:00

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!

2010-03-20T15:58:00.004-07:00

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!

2010-01-26T23:02:00.005-07:00

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

2009-10-22T18:32:00.007-07:00

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

2009-10-05T22:57:00.003-07:00

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

2009-09-21T23:30:00.005-07:00

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

2009-07-19T17:28:00.008-07:00

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

2009-06-20T17:34:00.010-07:00

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!

2009-05-28T22:47:00.006-07:00

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!

2009-05-09T22:57:00.013-07:00

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

2009-04-19T22:42:00.005-07:00

“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

2009-04-12T18:59:00.008-07:00

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”

2009-03-26T00:52:00.007-07:00

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

2009-03-13T16:45:00.005-07:00

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!

2009-02-17T13:14:00.005-07:00

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!

2009-02-11T23:39:00.009-07:00

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

2009-01-19T17:40:00.004-07:00

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!

2009-01-05T15:39:00.005-07:00

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!

2008-12-24T18:05:00.006-07:00

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

2008-12-13T23:29:00.004-07:00

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!

2008-11-15T23:17:00.006-07:00

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

2008-11-10T13:33:00.008-07:00

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

2008-11-07T23:22:00.007-07:00

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

2008-10-30T23:05:00.005-07:00

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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Happy 101st Birthday, Elsa!

2008-10-12T23:39:00.007-07:00

Happy 101st Birthday to our dear friend Elsa Hoffmann, who celebrated her special day on October 11th. Here she is shown at a recent community event at her church where she and her friend Dottie (who’s in her 90s) were given the honor of being ribbon cutters at the dedication of the church’s newly constructed school building.
Elsa's sense of humor keeps improving with age! Always in good spirits she is enjoying a weekend of celebrations with family members who are joining her from several states. She is then off on another cruise to the Caribbean for two weeks, where the partying will continue. When I grow up, I want to be like Elsa!!

Read more about Elsa on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/elsa_hoffmann.htm

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National Centenarians Day – September 22nd

2008-09-22T00:52:00.006-07:00

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 June, 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are about 95,000 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: Lulu Johnston (top), Bernie Blatner, Elsa Hoffmann

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Curtis and Curran Carter, Identical Twins, Turn 100

2008-09-14T00:19:00.004-07:00

Curtis and Curran Carter are identical twins and they turned 100 years old the end of August. They are one of this country's oldest sets of male identical twins. The Carter brothers have spent their entire lives in Indiana and have lived about a mile apart from each other since they both married in a double-ring ceremony.

Both are now widowed. Curtis was married to Frances for 65 years, Curran to Thelma for 70 years. Both men have two daughters.

"With us, togetherness would be the word," Curtis said to the Evansville Courier & Press." Before one of us thought of something and it was gone, the other had the same thought."

In addition to the predictable "good clean living and hard work," Curtis has another reason for their longevity: "It's also your attitude toward life. You have to look forward to things to keep you here."

Resource: courierpress.com

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Catching up with the Clarks, Will and Lois

2008-09-06T22:36:00.008-07:00

Recently, I had the chance to catch up with Lois and Will Clark, our Calendar Couple for July. http://www.adlercentenarians.org/calendar08/july08_clarks.htm I wished Will a belated Happy 104th Birthday; he celebrated his 104th in late August. We had a great time, and it was also great to meet his son Terry and his wife, who were visiting from California.

Lois and Will are wonderful and have a terrific sense of humor and joie de vive. And, they are so contemporary! For instance, they still, at 104 and 101, retain their spirit of adventure that has been the hallmark of their 75 year marriage. They will often be discussing something at breakfast and decide on the spur of the moment to take a trip, either locally or afar, pack up and off they go!!

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Dorothy Kennedy Turns 100, Meets Barack Obama

2008-08-27T19:24:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday! to Dorothy Kennedy, who celebrated her 100th birthday on August 4th. Perhaps the highlight of her special day was meeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at a rally in her home state of Michigan. Interestingly, Mr. Obama was celebrating his birthday that day as well. He turned 47.

Dorothy is a role model for positive aging; she loves people and loves bringing people together that do not know each other but have many things in common. Her advice for a long life: just live, don’t worry. Though she says she has had her share of life’s “challenges,” she also says that she doesn’t let them worry her.

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Lillian Elkins Celebrates Her 100th Birthday; Centenarian Twins Attend Party

2008-08-24T12:59:00.006-07:00

Happy 100th Birthday to Lillian Elkins! Lillian, who turned 100 on August 20th, celebrated her becoming a centenarian with family and friends at her recent birthday party.

Twin centenarian sisters, Eloise Rogers and Lois Fisher (see our blog post of June 25th: “Twins turn 100 … Still Driving”) were special guests in attendance at Lillian’s 100th birthday bash.

Lillian attributes her longevity to being as independent as possible and a sensible diet. She has outlived her three sisters, two brothers and her husband, Ward Harmon Elkins, who had worked for a sugar refinery for 40 years. She had one son, Jack, who is now deceased and has one stepson, Kertis, who lives nearby.

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FBI Turns 100, Former Agent is 101

2008-08-09T20:24:00.008-07:00

In late July, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation marked its 100th anniversary. Since its birth in 1908, the FBI has grown from a small cadre of 34 investigators to a mammoth agency of about 13,000 special agents backed by some 23,000 support personnel.

The FBI is more than just a law enforcement agency. Since the days of pursuing infamous fugitives like Bonnie and Clyde to hunting extraterrestrial beings on TV's fictional show "The X-Files," the FBI and its agents have been part of American popular culture. This was no accident. The Bureau's place in popular culture was cultivated by J. Edgar Hoover, who ran the FBI with an iron hand for nearly half of its existence.

The Bureau of Investigation was founded in 1908. But it was an obscure agency mired in political corruption until Hoover, then only 26 years old, was appointed to head it. FBI historian John Fox says Hoover set out to clean house.

"What Hoover did was, he really went wholeheartedly into reforming the Bureau and into making law enforcement in the federal government a profession rather than a political position," says Fox. "He purged the rolls of the political hacks. He set very strict standards on how investigations were to be done, how the Bureau was run. And he strove to protect it from political influence."

The word "federal" was added to the FBI's name in 1935 when the Bureau was involved in high-profile criminal investigations, such as the kidnapping of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh's baby, and the pursuit of gangsters like John Dillinger. Historian John Fox says much of the legend of the FBI is rooted in that era.

"It centered around that 'G-Man' (i.e., government man) image that developed in the 1930s. And, yes, it became a very important part of how we looked at ourselves," says Fox.

Source: Voice of America
Full article: http://www.voanews.com/english/NewsAnalysis/2008-07-25-voa1.cfm

History of the FBI: http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/history/text.htm

Former FBI agent is one year older than his former employer.

As the FBI celebrates its centennial in 2008, former FBI agent Walter Walsh is celebrating 101 years.

Walsh was an agent when newsreels at the Saturday double feature were full of the drama, thrills and action of G-men tracking down criminals like John Dillinger, Ma Barker and the Brady Gang. He joined the FBI in 1934, just a decade after J. Edgar Hoover took the helm and the bureau began to take the same kind of shape we see today. The G-men — or government men — were behind some of the most celebrated cases of the time, and Walsh thought he could be part of that. He signed up fresh out of Rutgers Law School. "I thought to myself, this might be a good outfit to tie up with," Walsh says. "I am not trying to pin medals on myself, but the people in the FBI knew that I was very handy with firearms." Actually, he was more than just handy.

Walsh's living room is filled with shooting trophies and medals from the Marine Corps and the FBI. He said he started out shooting clothespins off his aunt's clothesline with a BB gun, something she used to yell at him about. But he was good at it — so good he ended up on the 1948 Olympic shooting team, the first Olympics after World War II. Walsh was also commander of the Marine Corps' marksmanship training for years.

Source: NPR
Full article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92937115

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Ford Model T Celebrates 100 Years

2008-08-03T11:54:00.005-07:00

Ford Motor Company continues celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Model T with a kick-off gathering in Indiana of about 750 collectors in late July.

The first production Model T was assembled in Detroit on Oct l, 1908, and, in the span of 19 years, would go on to build 15 million cars with the Model T engine, according to the Henry Ford Museum. This vehicle is credited with bringing about social change in America in the early years of the 20th century, providing affordable transportation to the “common man” and enabling people to move farther out from the cities thereby creating the first wave of suburban living beginning after WWI.

“There were no requirements for drivers licenses in the early days,” centenarian Miriam Krotzer reminds us. And, like Miriam, many learned to drive at the age of 12 or 13.

Recalls centenarian driver Lillian Cox: “My father had one of the first cars in town, when I was about nine, 1916. They were scarce. First the doctors could buy them and second the merchants. My father owned a grocery store on the main street of Qunicy, Florida, where I was born and bred. My sister and I were in charge of buttoning up the “cellophane” windows. They weren’t made of glass; they were more like what we now call plastic. When the weather was nice we would take them down – it was a 4 door sedan—but when it rained we had to button them all into place. It was fun. We felt very important, riding in that car! The color: why, black, of course. There were few cars in town – they caused a lot of excitement.”

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“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Turns 100, Commemorated with Stamp

2008-07-20T22:51:00.002-07:00

In America, baseball is called the national pastime. Organized baseball was well into its glory years before other sports such as football, basketball, hockey and soccer were drawing much of an audience. Baseball has infected the American culture with its heroes, its jargon, and its cult of personality. It is only natural that one of America's most popular sing-along songs relates to the sport.

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a simple tune that tells of a girl who wants her beau to take her to a baseball game instead of to another popular spot. The song turns 100 years old this year, and the United States Postal Service has commemorated the event with a beautiful new stamp.

The song is instantly recognizable to most of those in the U.S. In fact, the song is frequently credited as the third most popular sing-along song in America, after the national anthem and Happy Birthday.

Incredibly, the author of the song, Jack Norworth, had never been to a baseball game when he wrote the song. He was riding on the subway in New York, when he saw a sign advertising "Ballgame Today - Polo Grounds". The Polo Grounds was the name of the stadium used most notably by the New York (later San Francisco) Giants baseball team.

During the 30-minute subway ride, Norworth, an accomplished songwriter, dashed off the words to the song. Soon thereafter, he took the lyrics to composer Albert Von Tilzer who created the popular tune, which later that year, became a #1 hit.

On July 16, 2008, the United States Postal Service issued a 42-cent stamp commemorating this popular song. Drawn in the style of baseball trading cards popular during the song's early days, the stamp design captures a nostalgic essence of the song. It interweaves period typography and even shows the first 6 notes of the song on a music staff.

Reference: stampsofdistinction.com

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Centenarian's wine a much appreciated gift for another centenarian!

2008-07-12T23:04:00.008-07:00

Had a call from a friend, who had recently traveled to Napa Valley, California. He had read about Lillian Harrison's winery on our website – Lillian was our May calendar centenarian. http://www.adlercentenarians.org/calendar08/may08_lillian.htm He stopped by Lawrence Harrison Vineyard and purchased three bottles of the Leo Joseph Estate Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and then took two of them to another centenarian we know in the region who is still living alone at 106! Amazing! Respecting the centenarian’s wish not to have her name mentioned, we can report that she very much enjoyed his gift! In fact, she attributes her remarkable good health to a glass or two of good (she had stressed “good” to me on the phone) red wine. Apparently, Lillian's wine passed the "centenarian’s taste test!" My friend also gave a bottle to her home health aid. She, too, was thrilled.

It's always so rewarding when others take an interest in centenarians – we have inspired quite a network over the years, both formal programs and individual kindnesses, such as this. I encourage all of our readers to seek out the elders in your neighborhood or community and take a bit of time to pay a visit or reach out to them in some appropriate way. It takes so little, yet means so much.

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Catching up with Elsa Hoffmann

2008-07-09T22:40:00.005-07:00

I had a nice chat with Elsa the other afternoon and she had some interesting things to say about the hour she spent with a class children recently. Seems the children were in doubt that someone could be 100 years old! Elsa spoke to the children about her life and growing up without TV, computers and cell phones. She also brought along original newspaper pages (which to archive had been encased in protective plastic) from the day she was born. To hold the attention of kids that young for an hour without them even “wiggling” as Elsa put it, is quite an achievement. Elsa said they were very interested in everything she had to say, especially in the newspaper pages. What a good idea to bring along the newspaper pages! Elsa is really terrific.

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Centenarians on the go!

2008-06-30T22:49:00.003-07:00

Karl Hartzell, one of the Fab Five from the Barbara Walters Special, is traveling this week to spend the Fourth of July holiday with his son, Drew, in New York State. It’s amazing to think of a centenarian (at 102!) traveling by himself, taking a car service to the airport (over an hour), getting checked in, through security, onto the plane and then make a connecting flight at a very busy airport. It’s daunting for me, in today’s chaotic travel environment, and a stressful process for most people, but Karl takes it all in stride.

I can say with certainty that today’s generation of centenarians is much more active than those of a generation ago. So many more are doing what are really extraordinary things at 100+ than just a decade ago, including travel and driving (like Karl). I knew no centenarian drivers 23 years ago and few even a decade ago. Now more are cropping up every day, such as the centenarian twins in the previous post. This increased activity bodes very well for Boomers! I think many have a bright future ahead. Just take good care of your health — as centenarians advise — that’s the key.

I hope Karl has time to work on the next section of his Memoirs this summer. His clear and concise prose is so enjoyable. I can hardly wait to read the next installment of his fruitful life. Click to read the beginning of Karl's Memoirs: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/hartzell_memoirs.htm

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Twins turn 100 ... Still driving!

2008-06-25T14:31:00.007-07:00

We just learned of identical twins who are turning 100 on June 29 – extremely rare! AND, they are still driving! Wow, that’s a show stopper! Eloise Rogers and Lois Fisher (pictured at left) live across the street from each other, and every day one of them picks the other up and away they go – to the mall, for lunch, and other fun adventures. At age 98, Eloise’s Chevy gave out and she bought a new Honda “because it was known for its longevity.” The twins look and act years younger than their chronological age, but their driver’s licenses tell the tale: they were born the same year that the Model T Ford was introduced. Congratulations Eloise and Lois on reaching the century mark!
(Photo: courtesy of reporter Anne Hart)

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We've really started something...

2008-06-22T00:11:00.006-07:00

Seems people are still fascinated with our Southern Belle, Lillian Cox, and her driving at age 101. Lillian was one of five centenarians featured in the April Barbara Walters Special "Live to be 150." The special showed video of Lillian driving her "big old Cadillac," as she says. Since then, Lillian has been featured on "Inside Edition," "CNN" and on several local news broadcasts in Florida and Texas. Now, Lillian's driving video has made it onto YouTube! Here's the video:

Coincidentally, our July calendar on our website features a 104 year old driver. Be sure to check it out on July 1st: http://www.adlercentenarians.org

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A Father’s Day Remembrance

2008-06-15T20:50:00.004-07:00

In church today, many people brought pictures of their fathers for remembrance and blessing; they were prominently displayed on a long table covered with a white cloth – there must have been over a hundred framed photographs. I would have taken one of my Dad if I had known about it, but I didn’t read the Bulletin. The woman sitting next to me, about my age, began to talk to me about her father before the service began, and was tearful at times during the service. Coincidentally, this afternoon I received an email from my brother saying he had read an article recently in his local paper encouraging people to talk about their loved ones who are no longer with them on special occasions -- to celebrate their lives and keep their memory alive. We are all about celebrating and acknowledging people’s lives, both past and present, and so I thought I would share a memory of my father, since he did so much for so many years to help me with my projects, events and my book …and took an active interest in the centenarians and in my life’s work.

This did not come naturally to my Dad; what came naturally were sports, specifically basketball and baseball, at which he excelled on an amateur level. During “his day” my father was considered the best baseball player (pitcher) in our town, and he continued playing in town and church leagues well into his thirties. My mother was also a sports enthusiast and was proud of her husband’s prowess and popularity. So, of course, when expecting their first child, they expected a son – wanted a son to take after his father -- and couldn’t imagine their wish not being granted; there were three boys and one girl in my father and mother’s families.

Thus, my father arrived at the hospital (this was in the days when husbands didn’t hang around maternity floors, but showed up later) with a baseball glove for his newborn child – only to be told, “It’s a girl!” Stuck with me, he made the best of it and encouraged me to play in all sports, talked about sports, read from the Sports page of the daily newspaper, etc. In exchange, he was required to sit through numerous school and regional concerts (having to listen to me learning and practicing the violin couldn’t have been pleasant either), chorus recitals and school plays. Eventually, he had twin sons but the wait was long until they “came of age,” about six.

In junior high I made the school baseball team (I think as a courtesy to my Dad). He showed up at our first game early one evening, with my brothers. I was put in the starting lineup, playing left field. Fortunately, no balls came my way during the top of the first inning. When it was our turn at bat, I miraculously got a base hit and ran as fast as I could to first base; I was a fast runner, I thought, pleased with my performance. My father was there at the base line yelling, “take second…” I held up at first and yelled back, “I can’t make it.” To which he replied, SLIDE! I stopped, turned to look at him and said, “Slide? I’m not going to slide,” and stayed firmly on the first base bag. The next batter got a base hit and the next, and I was on third, about to score our first run. I was so pleased with myself. But when I looked out at the spectators (a handful of parents) I saw my Dad quite far off in the distance, walking away with my brothers. Puzzled, I concluded that they must have been tired or for some reason the twins needed to be taken home.

When I got home, I excitedly ran into the kitchen where my father was sitting reading the Sports page of the newspaper. “Why did you leave?” I asked, “We won.” Without lowering the paper he said in a disgusted tone, “Aw, you run like a girl.” Incensed, I raised the baseball glove above my head and slammed it onto the kitchen floor. “I AM a girl!” I shouted (in rare and risky defiance), “and you can just wait until your sons are old enough to play baseball – I QUIT.” I ran to my bedroom upstairs, leaving the glove on the kitchen floor.

The next year, not only did he start my brothers in Little League, he became the coach. Fortunately, one of the twins had inherited his natural athletic ability and, like my Dad, became a pitcher. His brother struggled with the game (but later was good at basketball). The first game I attended, happy to be on the sideline, he put one brother on the mound and the other at second base; early in the game he was hit in the face by the ball. My father immediately called a time out and began running to his injured son, who was running in from second. Reaching him mid infield, my father looked at the injury, reached in his back pocket, took out his white handkerchief, roughly wiped the blood (and tears) from my little brother’s face, turned him around and gave him a shove toward second, yelling after him “next time, hold your glove up.” That was my Dad! Frederick William Peters, and I miss him.

Pictured at left: My father and brothers at Yankee Stadium, mid-60s. It was “bat day” and each kid received a small bat. Brian, on the left, had taken his Dad’s bat to be autographed. I remember that we were almost the last fans to leave that day because we had to wait so long for the autograph, but my brother is obviously proud of his accomplishment! It’s nice to have the happy memory.

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Do you know a computer-using centenarian?

2008-06-10T23:32:00.005-07:00

I'm happy I keep meeting centenarians who are “computer users.” These “time travelers” most likely learned to type on a manual Underwood typewriter. Not only was it manual for typing — with a levered carriage return at the end of each line to move to the next line — but copies were made using carbon paper, and each keystroke mistake had to be erased very carefully on each sheet of paper (no White Out even!) so as not to tear the page. Also, if a paragraph needed editing or information needed to be changed, well, you started all over again!

Lillian Jones, a former journalist who’s picture here with her computer, will be 102 this month, and says she couldn’t live without her computer! She wrote her memoirs on the computer, which she hopes will be published, and uses the computer constantly for email communications with family and friends, as well as making new friends. She also enjoys “surfing the net” and keeping up with current pop culture and news. “It’s what keeps me young,” she says with a happy smile.

I am so very proud of these contemporary centenarians, who have not stopped learning and who are interested in keeping up with modern technology. Kudos to all who venture into cyberspace at 80 and beyond and at 100 and beyond! I’m also hearing reports from family members that their elders have been requesting computers (and lessons) as gifts instead of a bathrobe. As one centenarian’s daughter put it: her mother suggested that all the family chip in to get her a computer and a printer for her 100th and hold the flowers! This centenarian’s interest is to keep in touch with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. It’s becoming a trend!

So, do you know a computer-using centenarian? Let us know!

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About "Miss Lillian" from former neighbor Billy

2008-06-04T23:37:00.004-07:00

We received a comment recently about Lillian Cox from a former neighbor. Everyone likes to be remembered, and this is a special memory -- thanks, Billy!!

Billy wrote:
My memories of "Miss Lillian" Cox go back to the early 1950's growing up in Tallahassee. She and her husband lived in a lovely, white, rambling home in a well-established neighborhood. Their yard was full of pines, oaks, and many azaleas that made their lot a thing of beauty in the Spring. I often saw her piddling in their yard doing this and that, even though she had a yard man.

My Daddy had been transferred from Savannah to Tallahassee in 1950 as an employee of Colonial Stores, a chain of grocery stores. They took my family under their wing as they were childless. Who lived next door but the Coxes. She was a beautiful person; it just radiated from her.

"Daddy's" store was a block west of Lillian's, her dress shop. My younger sister and I roamed the town. It was just a wonderful, sleepy town in which to grow up. I used to boil green peanuts on the weekends, put them in a paper sack, pack the bags into my basket and take the city bus to town to sell my peanuts for spending money. I always went to "Miss Lillian's" as she and her sales ladies seemed to enjoy boiled peanuts and were always happy to see me come by.

Mama frequented Lillian's for her dresses and an occasional hat (as I remember). Sometimes she'd have to put her things on lay-a-way. Then, she'd walk down to Miller's Bootery for her shoes and a matching pocket book.

Miss Lillian is just a gracious, Southern lady. She's a warm and loving person and a "treasure"!

Here's to you, "Miss Lillian."

Billy

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Centenarian Drivers ... more

2008-06-02T23:47:00.007-07:00

Lillian Cox and I visited over the weekend and she told me had received four more requests from the media to do interviews about her driving – one request was from a TV station in Canada. She politely said no.

Pictured at the left and below are centenarian drivers (mentioned in the previous post) Dr. Karl Hartzell, 102, in his Volvo and Elsa Hoffmann, 100, in her “birthday car,” a new Lincoln.

Lillian also said that she likes her "big old Cadillac" because it gives her more protection, she feels, from OTHER drivers!

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Southern Belle Lillian Cox "drives" a point to the media

2008-05-29T22:35:00.008-07:00

I talked with Lillian Cox today and she told me that a local Tallahassee TV station aired a previously taped piece yesterday on the early evening news about her driving at age 100. Today her granddaughter, Alyson, called her from Houston to say that something about Lillian's driving aired on two Houston TV stations. Lillian wasn't certain which piece it was -- the local piece or the segment the TV show "Inside Edition" featured earlier this month -- but it was about her driving.

Then, today, she received a call from a TV station in South Florida requesting an interview -- again about her driving. She said that they all are billing her as "America's Oldest Driver," and she's tired of it. She's dismayed that this is all of her life at 100+ that the media finds interesting, and she said that she is inclined not to do the interview if it's going to be more of the same. Lillian then remarked that her car, though old, is very well maintained.

As I've stated before, Lillian is such a sweetheart, and she's a very determined lady who makes her own decisions. FYI to media: Lillian says to "focus on other interests" of hers for future segments!

Also, for the record, Lillian is NOT America's Oldest Driver, although, as we laughed about today, I suggested that she could call herself "America's BEST Oldest Driver," and she agreed that might be more accurate, and acknowledged that she is a very good driver and very conscientious, as the "Inside Edition" feature made known.

Transcript from "Inside Edition"
So how good a driver is she? INSIDE EDITION showed our video to AAA's Robert Sinclair, Jr. to analyze Lillian's driving skills. "101-year-old woman who doesn't wear corrective lenses...wow," he said. Sinclair was definitely impressed with Lillian's driving: "She's in the middle of the lane, keeping with the flow of traffic, not going too slow...She's signaling, who does that these days? I'd drive with her any day!"

Of the "Fab Five" from the Barbara Walters Special, Karl Hartzell at 102 is the oldest driver in the group and Elsa Hoffmann, 100, loves driving her "birthday car" around South Florida. I know many other centenarians who are driving at 100+, including a friend who is still driving his van at 104!

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Just a random meeting ...

2008-05-23T01:13:00.003-07:00

I’m traveling this week, interviewing centenarians for my new book. While at the Phoenix airport, waiting to board the plane, a young man came up to me. He works at the airport. Though I don’t know him well, I see him whenever I’m at the airport.

He said: “I just wanted to let you know that your book has enriched my life.” He was so sincere.

He went on to say that he and his brothers and sisters have decided to take their mother on a cruise this summer, along with all of the children and grandchildren, as a result of having read my book. He said they’re going to enjoy one another and share family stories. I was really very moved; it was just one of those random meetings. It is so heartwarming to hear that my book is still making a difference and affecting peoples’ lives positively. Thank you!

“Centenarians: The Bonus Years” by Lynn Peters Adler. Click for information and to read excerpts from the book: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/excerpts2.html

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More Aging Concerns

2008-05-22T16:20:00.005-07:00

Arizona Governor’s Council on Aging Conference ... more

There were also several workshops and a lot of information about Mature Workers, and free services offered through community colleges here to help older people who want to or need to return to the work force to “retool,” and help with resumes, etc. I attended two of these sessions and they were very helpful, and well attended. It’s obvious there’s a need.

As an active part of the Council, we have large subcommittees that include members of the community as well as mandatory participation by the 18 Council members, who meet monthly. One of the largest committees is the “Mature Worker” committee, followed by “Caregiving” and “Alzheimers.” We also have a very active “Falls Prevention Committee,” of which I am a member, since falls can be deadly in people of advanced age and are all too common and tragic. I have lost many a centenarian friend as the result of a fall. It’s often the beginning of the decline – and statistics bear this out.

Speaking of Mature Workers, I happened to notice a couple of weeks ago, that at the very front of the store in our local Borders book store, there was a large round rack of new AARP publications, many of which went way beyond just brochures offering a bit of information. There was a large pamphlet size series called “Life Answers from AARP” that included an excellent one on “Age Discrimination in Employment: What you need to know.” Obviously, there is a need both for help for finding employment and for information on what to do if a person feels they have been let go unfairly. You’d be surprised at how many centenarians are actively engaged in some form of activity, either volunteering or working part time or even self-employed! Just this past week, I met (by phone) a woman in California who is 103, lives alone, and who volunteers two days a week at her community’s thrift shop and at the weekly community dinner provided for people in need.”

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"If you're not concerned about aging, you will be."

2008-05-18T23:48:00.004-07:00

This past week I attended the Arizona Governor’s Council on Aging Conference, for two days. http://www.azgovernor.gov/gaca/

Even if I were not a member of the Council, I would have enjoyed it. The presentations were relevant and well done and the booths and information available was very useful. Several of the sessions focused on caregiving issues and caregivers’ support and services. It’s amazing how this topic has exploded over the years, most likely because Boomers are now helping their aging parents. And it’s also amazing how much help is available to help adult children cope and to provide assistance. I would recommend that people attend conferences and events that provide information in their area. It’s really worth the time and cost, which is usually nominal. People also come to understand that they are not alone in dealing with many of the problems – challenges – we face, or will someday. A comment was made: “If you are not concerned about aging, you will be.” But it’s a whole lot better now – so many more options – than it was when I entered the field 25 years ago and it will inevitably continue to improve.

One of the most common problems among elders, and especially centenarians, is the loss of vision. I learned at the conference about a nonprofit organization here called Sun Sounds of Arizona, whose members read local and national newspapers, news magazines and other publications each day, and each night at 9 p.m. there’s a book reading. It’s a free service and people can receive, on loan, a special (and easy to use) radio that receives the closed circuit broadcast; or people can access the broadcast on the Internet: http://www.sunsounds.org/ and even by telephone. The service covers all of Arizona and currently has 49,000 listeners. I’m going to try a demonstration, and then start recommending it to people I know who would benefit. It’s very frustrating for elders who used to enjoy reading to not have this simple pleasure available to them.

Surely people compensate by listening to radio programs, but this is material written to be read, not just listened to, and I think that to those of us who love reading, there is a distinction. There may be programs like this in other parts of the country. Perhaps your local library would give you some assistance in finding a similar service.

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Media Still Spotlighting Lillian Cox

2008-05-15T11:43:00.008-07:00

Lillian Cox, one of our "Fab Five" centenarians, called to say she is being interviewed on Friday by a “big station” in Tallahassee, WCTV. She’s excited about it. She also said she has made a lot of new friends since the Babara Walters Special aired in April. She reminisced about Ms. Walters, saying: “She was awfully nice to us – and she patted my head. She couldn’t get over my hairdo and how I could keep it like this for a week!” Then Lillian asked about Rosie Ross, saying she wished he lived closer. “I would like to get together and talk with him,” adding: “He’s a nice old fellow!” She is so adorable. In all of the times we’ve talked, the one thing she is most adamant about is that she is not old!”

We also talked about her grief, and how difficult it was this past Mother’s Day, “my only child – my heart is broken.” Lillian's daughter, Carolyn, passed away in March after a lengthy illness. Then she brightened and talked more about how she can’t go anywhere without someone coming up to her and commenting on having seen her on television. She was disappointed, though, that the "Inside Edition" segment that aired May 9th was only focused on her driving. She said they had filmed her for a couple of hours, going places and inside her house and outside in the garden …”and then they didn’t use any of that,” she said, with disappointment. But I assured her that what was aired was very good, and I had received several positive comments about the piece. She ended by saying she was glad for the media distractions and people’s attention because “it does my heart good.” It’s easy to forget, given her sunny disposition, that Lillian is a three-time cancer survivor. She really is amazing.

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Our Fab Five centenarians are in Barbara Walters' new book ... Plus Love & Relationships in the Later Years

2008-05-13T23:34:00.007-07:00

Writes Barbara Walters: “I particularly liked doing the Special this year ... called How to Live to Be 150. It was cutting-edge science, including the latest in stem-cell research and a drug that now fights aging in mice and may in the future work on humans. Mind-boggling!

"As part of the Special I interviewed half a dozen on-the-ball men and women who were each 100 years old or older. My favorite was 101-year-old Dorothy, who came with her 94-year-old boyfriend. Dorothy told me that she is happier now than she has ever been. She had been married, she said, for forty-six years before her husband died, but it was a bad marriage and finally she had found true love. So there you are. It really is never too late.”

Romance in the 90s ... Not the 1990s – YOUR 90s!

Romance in later years is not new, as anyone who lives in Sun City, Ariz., for example, will tell you. But it has been taboo, frowned upon as “not appropriate” for older people by those providing services, such as retirement communities, family members and society at large. Our elders have often found themselves having to “sneak around” to keep it secret from their kids – now that’s a switch! This has to be the last vestige of our Puritanical American roots. And thank Heaven it is breaking down, just in time for aging Boomers to continue having a whole lot of fun in our later years!

Read more about Love & Relationships in the later years on our website. Click here to continue: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/love_relationships.htm

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A Special Mother's Day Celebration!

2008-05-11T03:07:00.003-07:00

In Iowa, 84-year-old Ardis is celebrating Mother’s Day with her 102-year-old mother, Irma, who had likewise celebrated Mother’s Day with her 102-year-old mother in the early 1970s! Ardis is adept at using a computer and is honing other 21st century skills in preparation for another 16 years of life — into the mid century. She believes she is on track for living to 100. “Having both my mother and my grandmother live to over 100 is pretty encouraging!”

How are you celebrating Mother's Day?

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Southern Belle Lillian Cox on Inside Edition

2008-05-08T01:31:00.010-07:00

"Fab Five" Southern Belle Lillian Cox, who recently appeared on the Barbara Walters ABC Special "Live to be 150" is to appear on Inside Edition - "America's Newsmagazine," Friday, May 9th. Click the link for pictures and the story: http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyID=1678

After her April 1st appearance on the Barbara Walters ABC longevity special, the media has been captured by Southern Belle Lillian Cox. Inside Edition correspondent Megan Alexander and producer Christopher J. Dukas were recently in Tallahassee, Florida, and videoed Lillian in her home. Additionally the crew shot footage of Lillian at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum with owner DeVoe Moore. Also slated for the segment are scenes of Lillian driving, shopping and sewing. According to the Inside Edition crew: "The woman is amazing!"

To know Lillian is to love her, and this seems a universal truth for both old friends and new acquaintances. In another email today, Megan said of Lillian: “She’s a doll.”

Read more about Lillian Cox on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/lillian_cox.htm

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Ageism is SO last century!

2008-05-06T23:45:00.005-07:00

Recently, I was asked to be a guest blogger on Dr. Robert Butler's blog on the International Longevity Center website. (Pictured at left is Dr. Butler.)

For those of you not familiar with Dr. Butler and his work, I refer you to his website at The International Longevity Center – USA: http://www.ilcusa.org/; and I will quote from my book, “Centenarians: The Bonus Years” (Health Press, 1995, pg. 231, Chapter 7: “The Challenge of Surviving in Today’s Complex Society.

”In modern times in our culture, it seems that the longer people live, the more likely they are to be shunned by society, and, tragically, sometimes excluded from their own families. Ageism is an unpleasant fact of life for many people of advanced age today; for centenarians, it is a cultural bias that they have lived during their older decades. The word was coined in the late 1960s by Dr. Robert Butler, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for his book, “Why Survive? Being Old in America.” The word “ageism” is included in Webster’s dictionary as coming into popular use in 1970 meaning “prejudice or discrimination against a particular age group and especially the elderly.”

The title of my post on his website is: "Ageism is SO Last Century." I invite you to visit his blog to read the full post. http://www.ilcusa.org/pages/media_items/ageism-is-so-last-century193.php

Here is a snippet of my post to Dr. Butler's blog:
Come on, America, it’s time to give this up! There are way too many of us looking forward to living long and living well to be able to ignore. And we, the leading edge Boomers, are experienced in taking on social concerns and righting social wrongs. We started it in the 1960s, and as we enter our 60s in record numbers we are not going to ignore this moral imperative.

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Interest in Centenarians Keeps Growing!

2008-05-04T23:53:00.003-07:00

On Thursday, May 1st, I gave a presentation at the monthly luncheon and meeting of the Philanthropic Education Organization, a 139 year old nationwide women’s group, headquartered in Missouri. http://www.peointernational.org/ There were about 30 women ranging in age, I would guess, from 40 to one age 90, a very lovely lady. Lots of questions and interest in my work and in centenarians. It’s reassuring to know that there are groups with so much longevity and support; it is my understanding that they have several chapters in all states, and to have been raising funds and giving aid to women - particularly older women who want to attend college - for over one hundred years is extraordinary and inspiring. It brought back memories of so many stories of women from all over the country, whose histories, and those of their mothers, went back that far. I have continually marveled at the will and determination of generation after generation of women who have bucked the odds and social norms to pursue a goal of higher education, particularly at a time - and for a long time – when it was thought somewhere between taboo and frivolous for a woman to get an education.

On Friday, May 2nd, I attended the annual Centenarian luncheon in Tucson that I started 21 years ago as part of the Arizona Centenarian Program. I then served in a consulting capacity with the group of volunteers in Tucson and traveled there for their first two annual events to ensure the program got off to a sound start - as I did with numerous other programs I inspired in other parts of the country. (Please see NCAP Background Information on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/ncap.html)

The Centenarian Committee and Program of Tucson has been very successful thanks to the dedication of the volunteers and staff of the Pima Council on Aging and the Tucson Medical Center, co-sponsors of the event. I am very proud of the good work they have done and very pleased to be able to attend the event this year. There were 44 people at the luncheon, ages 99 to 107.

I met some interesting people, such as a woman who had recently taken into her group home a homeless centenarian! Imagine that!? It’s tragic, and unfortunately not the first time I have encountered this. As I have often said, there are centenarians everywhere – but homeless! – that’s a new low for our society and a national shame. Surely we can do better than this for our elders. I’m very glad to hear of private individuals and groups that are trying to lessen this dreadful situation.

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Elsa Hoffmann, Celebrity Centenarian

2008-04-28T23:30:00.010-07:00

Sorry for a delayed blog post. I've wished to update you about our uber-centenarian, Elsa Hoffmann, but she’s been so-o-o-o busy lately. Here, though, is the latest about Elsa, and I do think her busy life is a perfect example of active centenarians and an appropriate response to our last post about the longevity study in Costa Rica. Some, just some, of Elsa’s activities for the past week, in addition to her twice weekly exercise classes, have included:

A week ago Friday, Elsa attended the American Music Celebration and reception, by the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, at Count de Hoernle Amphitheater. The concert’s underwriter was Elsa’s good friend and philanthropist Countess Henrietta de Hoernle, who attended Elsa’s 100th birthday celebration in October of 2007. (Pictured at left is Elsa, Countess de Hoernle and Elsa’s friend Flossy Keesely, a benefactor of the concert.) At Elsa’s birthday bash, the Countess spoke of Elsa at the speaker's podium saying: “I’m only 95 and Elsa looks younger than I do!”

* Later that week: A cruise group luncheon and card party: Twelve or so members of the group that took the cruise in January have been getting together monthly for many years. Elsa is booked in October with the annual Deerfield Country Club Caribbean party cruise.

* Saturday: dinner party with a few friends from the condo where she lives, at the well-known "elegant” restaurant, Linda B’s, in Boca Raton.

* Sunday evening she attended a concert in Ft. Lauderdale to hear international favorite Andre Rieu conduct the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

She enjoys “a long soak in a bubble bath. Yes, I can get in and out of the tub!” Elsa adds. This is one of her favorite “relaxers.”

At NE FOCAL Point Benefit, Elsa is a new member ... friend Duane Timm is the director of the group. (Pictured at left: Duane Timm and Elsa.)

Focal Point supports programs benefiting children, Alzheimers research and senior and adult services. Elsa was approached by Focal Point to be a “celebrity dinner date” (since her April 1st appearance on the Barbara Walters Special, she explains) for this charity and its raffle. She gladly obliged and raised $300 by being part of the prize!

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AARP article about centenarians in Costa Rica

2008-04-23T23:12:00.002-07:00

We’ve had several emails from readers expressing their opinions about the recent article in the May/June issue of AARP magazine about the centenarian research being done in Costa Rica, and wondering why it was necessary to go there to find the answers to living to 100 when we have so many wonderful examples of centenarians right here in our country.

One wrote: “Just got the AARP magazine & saw the article on living to 100…perhaps you might write a letter to the magazine with a synopsis of your book and the list of attributes shared by successful centenarians with the comment that your book was published in 1995. Your work based on interviews and questionnaires with thousands of US centenarians provides much more useful info for boomers who do not live in remote jungle villages!”

Have you read the article? What do you think?

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Happy Birthday - World's Oldest Person

2008-04-20T14:58:00.008-07:00

Happy Birthday to the World’s Oldest Person – Edna Parker of Shelbyville, Indiana, who turns 115 today, Sunday, April 20, 2008! Edna has five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. She has outlived her two sisters and her two sons. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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More Kudos: Our Website ... Thank You!

2008-04-17T23:57:00.009-07:00

I received an e-mail a few days ago from a woman in Connecticut who works for a nonprofit research institute that is primarily focused on childhood diseases, but has recently begun a new study of people of advanced age (not exclusively centenarians) “to unravel the secrets of their remarkable longevity,” by looking at their genes, with the goal of improving the lives of people living with genetic disorders. I am somewhat familiar with the project, and it is a noble goal. The more interest in the study of longevity the better it is for all of us.

She goes on to say: “Today I came across your website, the National Centenarian Awareness Project, for the first time and have just begun to read about your “life’s work” and devotion to your mission. What a remarkable site, informational and inspiring, the words “expert” and “advocate” are not enough to describe what you do for others.”

Link to our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/

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Kudos for our website: adlercentenarians.org

2008-04-14T14:03:00.013-07:00

I had a recent email from Elsa Hoffmann's granddaughter, Sharon: In it, Sharon tells me Elsa asked her to print out a copy of our website and blog, since she hasn’t seen it, but a lot of her (younger) friends were commenting on her coverage.

(Pictured at left is a part of our website home page. http://www.adlercentenarians.org)

She then stayed up until 1:00 am reading and re-reading it because she thought it was “so fabulous!” Elsa is making copies for other friends who have not seen it, and she wants to write to the others in the “Fab Five,” so I’ve given her their addresses.

It’s so kind of her, and so typical of her personality to want to reach out to others. She also suggested that I send a printout to each of them – a good idea. Dr. Hartzell has seen the website on his computer and we exchange emails, but I’m sure Lillian and Dorothy would appreciate a copy, as well as Rosie (who always likes to read his own press!!). When a centenarian friend is pleased with our work, that is the greatest compliment of all.

To post a comment, click on the "comments" link, which follows or send an email to adler@ncap100s.org.

Still more comments about the Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-11T22:41:00.005-07:00

I'm still getting emails and phone calls about the ABC Barbara Walters special, "Live to be 150." (Pictured at left is Barbara Walters and the "Fab Five.") Just got another email from an acquaintance on the East coast about the Special:

“I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the special last week! I think most of our department watched it. We loved the centenarians – they were all so colorful. I can’t even grasp driving a car at 100! I can only imagine how much went into pulling everything together for the special. You did a wonderful job in the interview.”

I’ve had several other calls today with the same message – being impressed by the centenarians and the production – and being inspired by them both. It’s rewarding to have the affirmation and to know the message is really getting out – that life can be good in later years, and that we all have a lot to look forward to.

To post a comment, click on the "comments" link, which follows or send an email to adler@ncap100s.org.

Lillian Cox and the ABC Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-10T18:40:00.006-07:00

I received a note today from Lillian Cox, enclosing a very nice article with a photo that ran on March 31st in her local newspaper, “The Tallahassee Democrat,” about the Barbara Walters Special and Lillian’s role in it. Here’s a link to the article: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080331/NEWS01/803300301/1010 (Pictured at the left is Lillian Cox.)

She mentioned how much she enjoys our phone visits and asked me to call again soon. But Lillian is not shy to pick up the phone and reach out to others – and that’s a very healthy trait of active centenarians. Sometimes she’ll call and say, in her soft Southern drawl: “I haven’t heard from you in awhile, are you all right?” She’s such a sweetheart.

Unfortunately, her enjoyment of watching herself on the program and the attention she has received locally have been diminished by the passing of her beloved daughter Carolyn in March. Carolyn was also portrayed briefly in the program and she looked lovely, too, despite her illness. The footage was shot last October. As we were making preparations for the ABC crew to come to her home to get footage of her caring for her daughter, driving and some of her other activities, I remember her calling to say that she and her daughter were going to get their hair done together in preparation for the shoot, and we discussed her outfits, etc. Lillian said that her daughter was so excited to be in the production; she was telling everyone about its scheduled air date of April 1, as the time neared.

It’s very sad that Carolyn did not live to be able to watch it with her devoted mother. However, I’m very glad that this unusual opportunity presented itself so mother and daughter could have this special excitement to share, in what had been two years of care-giving. Lillian often remarked over the months that the excitement and distraction had been good for them both.

I also received an e-mail from the daughter of a friend of Lillian’s saying that Lillian was “mourning her daughter with graciousness and courage.” Lillian said that she is resuming her activities and still going through the enormous stacks of sympathy cards she has received. Although her heart is aching, Lillian maintains her spirit and determination to go on.

To post a comment, click on the "comments" link, which follows or send an email to adler@ncap100s.org.

Dr. Karl Hartzell and the ABC Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-09T23:07:00.005-07:00

Dr. Karl Hartzell and I had a long and interesting (as always) conversation today. He said he was “finally recovered” from all the activity and attention surrounding the showing of the ABC Barbara Walters special at the very active retirement community where he lives in a large apartment with a nice view. The entire program was shown twice, on different days, and “drew a lot of interest from the residents,” he reported. (Pictured at left is Drew Hartzell, his father Karl and Barbara Walters.)

Dr. Hartzell, whose intellect is as sharp as anyone’s half his age, commented that about half way through the program, Ms. Walters spent quite a bit of time discussing aging with “a young fellow, around 45.” He said, “she could have asked me those questions,” implying that he could have given just as good – if not better – answers! As I have always said: I believe centenarians are the true experts on aging; the rest of us can study it, but they have lived it.

To post a comment, click on the "comments" link, which follows or send an email to adler@ncap100s.org.

Comments - Rosie, ABC Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-07T17:09:00.007-07:00

Just had an email from Laura, manager of the Pine Cone Inn where Rosie plays. (Picture at left is Rosie with his trumpet at the Pine Cone Inn.)

She wrote:

What a wonderful thing you did for Rosie, Lynn. I think they [ABC] portrayed him perfectly. ...I just looked over your website and have to compliment you for all that you do. Truly inspiring.

It’s been two years since I first mentioned this to her and asked permission for ABC to shoot video at the Pine Cone. Everyone’s been so cooperative and helpful – and patient! -- making this project a success!

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Centenarians and more from the Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-06T22:50:00.015-07:00

At the Governor’s Council on Aging meeting Friday I learned of two articles that had been written about the ABC Barbara Walters Special and centenarians: one story about Rosie Ross, an update, the other about catching up with centenarians, here in the Phoenix area. (Pictured at left is Lynn with Edna Anderson, 102, of Peoria. “The photos were as natural as Lynn’s rapport with the centenarians,” said photographer Marla Levine.)

Here's an excerpt from the story about Rosie in the "Daily Courier," written by Lorin McLain

The national spotlight shines again tonight on a local centenarian musician. "Live to be 150...Can You Do It," a Barbara Walters ABC special, will feature Leonard "Rosie" Ross, the popular 102-year-old trumpet player who has performed at the Pine Cone Inn since 1949.

Ross has entertained audiences with keyboardist Tandy Andrade on Friday nights at the establishment for almost 60 years. Ross performed in a TV commercial for Genworth Financial this past year.

"Wonderful," Ross said about his trip to New York City this past September for a taping with four other centenarians who came to the network's attention through Lynn Adler's National Centenarian Awareness Project. The group interviewed together with Walters during the three days that culminated with a carriage ride around Central Park and a dinner at Tavern on the Green.

"She wanted to know the greatest thing I did my whole life, stuff like that," Ross said of the interview. Ross bought a new a new trumpet at a music store across the street from Lincoln Center and brought it to his interview with Barbara Walters, according to his niece, Rose Mary Perner, who accompanied him on the trip.

"That was taped at Chelsea Pier, we could see the Statue of Liberty in the distance. That was amazing. It was really fun. He was interviewed with four other centenarians, but they spent a little extra time with him, because he's such a showman, you know," Perner said, adding that Ross played "Sugar Blues" during the interview.

ABC had said they were sending out press releases to the local papers of the participants; that was very nice of them. The producer and associate producer, and everyone else involved, has been so nice and considerate.

When I got home after the meeting, I found a copy of the Rosie story waiting for me in the mail, sent by RoseMary, Rosie’s niece, along with a nice note.

Here's a link to the story about centenarians, here in Phoenix. http://www.yourwestvalley.com/news/adler_2227___article.html/years_centenarians.html

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Where to Find a DVD of "Live to be 150"

2008-04-04T17:47:00.005-07:00

We've had many requests about where to buy a copy of the ABC Barbara Walters special "Live to be 150...Can You Do It?" It is available at the ABC website: $29.95 - DVD or VHS Tape.

Here's the direct link to the web page on the ABC website to order a copy:
http://abcnewsstore.go.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DSIProductDisplay?catalogId=11002&storeId=20051&productId=2017089&langId=-1&categoryId=100012

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Comments about the Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-04T13:05:00.005-07:00

I had an email from a chiropractor near Naples, Florida, who said that the day after the Barbara Walters special many of his patients and friends were talking about it – and remarked that they liked the centenarian segment the best! We’ve had lots of comments like that.

A woman called from the Northwest to say that the centenarian segment was inspirational, and it was good to see that people could be active at 100.

A case worker from the Atlanta area called to say that many residents in the assisted living facility where she works watched the program; the following day one of them asked for some assistance on the computer to register herself for our program – she’ll be 104 on April 22!!! How’s THAT for inspiration! Here's the link to register a centenarian on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/ncap_registry.html

And in another email: Everyone looked fabulous…really enjoyed the show – it was interesting and informative.

And yet another: You looked great on T.V. Segment too short!!

To post a comment, click on the "comments" link, which follows or send an email to adler@ncap100s.org.

Elsa Hoffmann and the Barbara Walters Special

2008-04-03T18:06:00.006-07:00

We’re getting lots of emails and calls wanting to know Elsa’s secret to looking so much younger than her age – and commenting on how beautiful she looks. I’m trying to catch up with Elsa to ask what products she uses, but she’s been “out and about,” constantly so it may be the weekend before I can get her on the phone for a few minutes to talk about this (if she’ll tell!). What I do know is that she has now decided to go to a physical therapist regularly, as a form of exercise, to strengthen her back and her legs. Elsa had double knee replacements when she was 86! Very unusual, at that time, to do them both at once, but she said her doctor had confidence in her that she would be diligent about doing the physical therapy needed after the surgery. She spent 6 weeks in a rehab facility to regain the use of her legs and tells the story of how she would go around to the other patients and encourage them to get up and do their exercises (painful as they were) and not complain!! That’s our Elsa. What a woman. In fact, I think I’ll call her “Wonder Woman.”

Wait!!

Just had a call from Elsa – she was on her way home and was stopped waiting for a local bridge to raise to allow some boats through. She said she really doesn’t have any special beauty routine or potions, but she eats healthy foods, keeps her weight down and admitted during the Barbara Walters interview (in response to Ms. Walters' question to all the centenarians) that she had had a face lift “for her 50th wedding anniversary." She had told me that her husband asked what she would like to do that for the special event — a trip to Europe, perhaps – and Elsa replied that she would like a face lift!! She must have been 68 at the time and says she hasn’t had any work done since. She said she protects herself from the sun, uses moisturizer, is active socially, and is very excited about her new exercise routine she started today with a physical therapist (see paragraph above). She added that she tries to eat in moderation, and enjoys a glass of wine, but whenever she does give in to temptation, she uses Slim Fast or eats cottage cheese the next day, to compensate for it.

This is one savvy lady!!

Joan Textor, Elsa's daughter who accompanied her to New York, sent an email about their trip. You can read Joan's letter on our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/ABCWalters_special_6.htm

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About the Barbara Walters special "Live to 150 ... Can You Do It?" last night.

2008-04-02T14:36:00.004-07:00

I hope many of you were able to watch the ABC Barbara Walters special on aging that aired last night. I received many emails and calls today about the show, saying the program was very interesting and the centenarian segment was very impressive. All thought the centenarians looked great! and one person wrote: Looks like we all now need to save for a much longer period of time.

I also received this nice note from another in the field of aging: "What a wonderful program last evening. Lynn was exceptional!!! Congratulations, Lynn. You make us all proud."

To post a comment click on the comments link, which follows or send an email to adler@ncap100s.org

Preview of ABC Barbara Walters Special - "Live to be 150 ... Can You Do It?"

2008-03-30T14:51:00.006-07:00

ABC has just posted to their website a preview of the upcoming Barbara Walters Special "Live to be 150 ... Can You Do It?" Here's the link: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Longevity/Story?id=4544003&page=2 See and hear some of our centenarians!! and hear Ms. Walters' comments about them! We think you’ll be amazed to see the video and see them “in action!” They represent a future that is within our reach – full of promise for our later years! “

I also received the following announcement from Rob Wallace, the ABC producer of the Barbara Walters Special:

"At long last, our new Special is airing on ABC this Tuesday night -- right after "Dancing With the Stars" -- at 10 PM EST. It is called "Live to be 150 … Can you do it?" Not only will you will learn how to live a long and healthy life, but you will see some of the coolest scientific developments in the quest to find the Fountain of Youth. I know what you are thinking: Hmmm … April 1st …. I know, this must be an April Fools Joke! But it is not and I assure you it is one of the best specials Barbara and I have done. Warmest regards … Rob"

To read the press release from ABC about the upcoming Barbara Walters Special, click on this link to our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/pr_barbara_walters_abc_special4-08.htm

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ABC Barbara Walters Special - "Live To Be 150...Can You Do It?", Ageism & Dr. Robert Butler

2008-03-30T01:11:00.010-07:00

In response to the comment that was posted asking if the ABC Barbara Walters special -- "Live To Be 150 ... Can You Do It?" -- addresses the issue of ageism, this excellent question takes us on a more substantive and serious topic. I’m not sure if ageism will be addressed, however, since Dr. Robert Butler is on the program, this is sure to be an excellent portrayal of longevity, in all its various aspects. For those of you who don’t know of Dr. Butler and his work, I refer you to his website at The International Longevity Center – USA: http://www.ilcusa.org/; and I will quote from my book, “Centenarians: The Bonus Years” (Health Press, 1995, pg. 231, Chapter 7: “The Challenge of Surviving in Today’s Complex Society.”

In modern times in our culture, it seems that the longer people live, the more likely they are to be shunned by society, and, tragically, sometimes excluded from their own families. Ageism is an unpleasant fact of life for many people of advanced age today; for centenarians, it is a cultural bias that they have lived during their older decades. The word was coined in the late 1960s by Dr. Robert Butler, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for his book, “Why Survive? Being Old in America.” The word “ageism” is included in Webster’s dictionary as coming into popular use in 1970 meaning “prejudice or discrimination against a particular age group and especially the elderly.”

“Ageism” has been my motivation to work in the field of aging. I first became aware of it – long before I knew the word, or for that matter, long before the word was coined – at the age of 15, and it made a lasting impression, one that shaped my career. (See “About Lynn” and “About NCAP” sections of our web site: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/.)

I am very honored to be even a small part of any program where Dr. Butler is involved. I have long been an admirer of his. (Hanging on a wall of his New York City office are a couple of photos from an article I wrote for Ms. Magazine (Jan. 2000) and the year 2000 calendar (Cedco Publishing) produced through National Centenarian Awareness Project.) I will be a guest commentator on his "Ageism In America Blog” late next week. His new book: “The Longevity Revolution: Benefits and Challenges of Living a Long Life” was published last month. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the topic of longevity and the ageism that unfortunately often accompanies a long life.

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The Water Skiing Man - Dr. Frank Shearer, 101

2008-03-28T22:52:00.004-07:00

Perhaps you have seen the promotional piece by ABC for the Barbara Walters special - "Live To 150 ... Can You Do It?" featuring video of an older gentlemen water skiing and riding a horse.

That's video footage shot of Dr. Frank Shearer, age 101, last year. I spoke with his daughter this afternoon and she said she has had lots of calls from friends who have seen it, but she hasn’t as yet. So I thought it would be of interest – since it IS a bit unusual for a 101 year old to be water skiing and horseback riding – to include him here, on our blog. For more information about this unassuming but totally fantastic “country doctor,” please go to our website: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/calendar07/Shearer/mar_07shearer.htm Dr. Shearer is included in the ABC Barbara Walters special. I can’t give any more away—you’ll just have to watch Tuesday night, April 1st, and see these incredible centenarians for yourself!

To post a comment click on the "comments" link, which follows.

ABC Barbara Walters Special & Ageism

2008-03-27T22:35:00.006-07:00

I recently received a comment on the upcoming ABC Barbara Walters Special. She asked: “I’ve been wondering if the show is highlighting not only the fact that these wonderful people have reached the age of 100 or more, but that people like those in the program need to be revered for the wisdom they have attained through the years and that they have so much to offer us all.

"Our country needs to put our seniors on a pedestal and cherish them rather than putting them in a nursing home and forget them because we think they have nothing more to offer. We are so wrong and will miss a great blessing by not holding them dear to our hearts. I have been so blessed to have a centenarian in my family and so many more in my family that lived long lives and it made me a richer person because of it.”

This speaks directly to the foundation of my work: Advocacy for all elders, and making a contribution to the cause of eradicating ageism in America – during our lifetimes!

I have spoken about this for many years and included this important topic in my book, “Centenarians: The Bonus Years,” (1995, Health Press, Santa Fe, NM). Interestingly, everything I discuss in my book is as relevant today as it was then. I’ll quote just a couple of paragraphs from the Preface of my book:

I came to write this book because of my long-standing interest in and love for people who are very old. I would like others to recognize the importance of our elders’ role in our collective and personal histories and to appreciate them a individuals. Further, I wish to call attention to the needs of people of advanced age with the hope that they will receive a higher priority in society.

It has long distressed me to observe that the older a person becomes the more it seems he or she is shunned by society, particularly in America, where youth is revered. There is a positive side to aging, and there are many people of very advanced age who are interested in remaining a part of the world around them and who want to remain active and engaged in life to the greatest extent possible. Centenarians help dispel the sterotype of advanced age as merely a time of physical decrepitude and emotional deterioration, and a general disinterest in life. By honoring and highlighting centenarians—who are at the pinnacle of old age—I hope to persuade others to think about the very eldest members of society (those eighty-five and over) in a more kindly light and recognize their rightful place in society.

Soon, I will tell the story of how I first got started upon this course … But for now, I’ll close with an analogy to why combating ageism is important to all of us. It serves as a lead in to Chapter 9, “The Challenge of Surviving in Today’s Complex Society.” I call it “The Wooden Bowl,” although I don’t think it has an actual title; it’s an American folktale:

An old and frail grandmother, whose trembling hands would
Sometimes drop and break a china plate, was given a wooden
Bowl to eat from instead by her exasperated daughter. Seeing
This change, the old woman’s granddaughter asked her mother,
“Why must Grannie eat from a wooden bowl when we all eat
From china plates?” “Because she is old,” the mother answered
Sharply. The young girl thought for a moment and said, “Then we
Must save the wooden bowl when Grannie dies.” “Whatever for?”
The mother asked. The child replied, “For you, when you are old.”

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Upcoming Barbara Walters Special on Aging - April 1st

2008-03-24T23:29:00.006-07:00

There’s been a little more activity now on the Internet about the upcoming ABC Barbara Walters Special - "Live to be 150 ... Can You Do It?" – next week! Gosh, after 2 years’ involvement in this long-range plan, I’m getting really excited about the final program. Today, I even called my first best friend (she doesn’t use e-mail) who still lives in our hometown to tell her about the program. She knew it was in the works because I missed my annual trip back for the Fourth of July parade and celebration, which goes right past the house where I grew up. The Fourth of July celebration was my mother’s favorite, and in memory of her, my two brothers and I always give a huge party/open house on the front porch of the old Victorian house we have kept in the family – the house is actually older than most people I know, and that’s saying a lot! But last year I was busy traveling and interviewing potential centenarians for the Special and couldn’t take the time to get back for the party – which went on without me, but I’m sure it wasn’t as much fun (just kidding – it rained).

I saw the first television ad about the Barbara Walters Special last Friday (3-21-098) on ABC's 20/20. There is nothing yet on the ABC web site, but I know they plan to put more bios and photos of the centenarians on the site, probably after the Special airs. It’s very nice of ABC to give the centenarians extra attention through a longer lasting medium of the Web. As I’ve said before, they have been wonderful to work with and I am so happy for the delightful centenarians and their families who have put so much effort into making this a rousing success. Wait until you see them! I’m so proud.

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WWI Veterans’ Recognition

2008-03-14T13:16:00.014-07:00

I am very pleased that World War I veterans are receiving national recognition. Perhaps you have noted the CNN coverage of “Last Surviving WWI Veteran,” Thursday, March 6: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/07/war.veteran/index.html?iref=newssearch#cnnSTCVideo

And now there is controversy! No sooner did the national story break, when a local TV station featured "Andy" Rasch, 106, with proof that he, too, was a WWI vet! And it’s been confirmed by the local VA.

It’s been a priviledge to have known and interviewed several WWI vets in the past, during various projects, and their stories form poignant memories. We have always had a tribute page to WWI veterans on our website, and several WWI vets -- Lloyd Botimer, Herb Kirk, Purple Heart recipient Basilio Imburgia, and Walter Rose, in the year 2000 calendar I created for Cedco publishing, “Age with Grace: The Centenarian Spirit.” Lloyd was featured in the calendar (November), riding in an open car and holding up his shrapnel-dented helmet. And in the first-ever video documentary of centenarians, “Centenarians Tell It Like It Is” (which is still available on Amazon.com), both Lloyd and Basilio are included.

There are so many other stories – I’m going to enhance the tribute on the website to include a few more. http://www.adlercentenarians.org/WWI.html

If anyone knows of a WWI vet, it would be nice to share their story. These men and women were some of the very finest people I have ever known. It’s wonderful that they are finally receiving tribute, albeit posthumously, for almost all.

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Inspirational Centenarian Calendar

2008-03-08T00:29:00.003-07:00

I had such a nice call today, on my cell phone – the number is listed on the home page of my web site: http://www.adlercentenarians.org – and was a pleasant surprise. Usually, I receive this type of call on my 800# (1-800-243-1889). Today’s caller was a woman in her mid 50s, who lives in the Southeast. She called to say how much she appreciated the calendar feature on our site: http://www.adlercentenarians.org/calendar08.htm, and how it has brought her inspiration and a whole new perspective on her later years.

She now looks at her age as “midlife.” “I no longer feel that being in my fifties is the end of the world! And I think to myself that I have almost half of my life yet to live. And then I think of all I’ve done and how I’ve grown and changed over these 50 years, and actually am looking forward to what I can do and learn and to ways in which I can grow as a person from here on out.”

She continued: “I realize now that there are various stages of life and I’m at one stage and will go on to many others. You make aging an exciting thing [time] – the way you portray these people is very positive, yet believable [realistic]. I have printed out all of last year’s calendar months, too, and I have gained a lot of inspiration from your portrayals of these people. Your website shows you really care about them [centenarians].”

How nice! And so encouraging to know that the calendar, which is meant to be inspirational, in fact is fulfilling it’s purpose. We went on to talk about some of the people who have been featured. It was a pleasant respite, in a busy day.

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Welcome Bloggers to Live to 100 and Beyond

2008-03-07T23:47:00.003-07:00

What do think about living to 100 and beyond?

To post a comment, click on the "COMMENTS" link, which follows.