Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994 TAG: 9405190151
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I remember when bread cost 5 cents a loaf," 101-year-old Nannie Layne contributed to the 30-something emcee's list, drawing laughter from the guests. Perquisite 1: When you get to be 100, you say what you want, when you want.
The Centenarians Day Birthday Party, co-sponsored by LOA Area Agency on Aging and Friendship Manor, was just a way to recognize Roanoke Valley's older population, said Ken Srpan, director of retirement services for Friendship Manor.
"We can project that more and more people will be living to age 100 or more, and this is just a nice way to show appreciation for them," Srpan said.
He said he'd like to see it become an annual event and praised the turnout, although about 20 centenarians were originally expected.
"Some just weren't physically up to it today, I guess," Srpan said.
Perk 2: When you're 100, people forgive your no-shows.
Those who were up to it were treated to lunch, cake and ice cream, souvenir photographs and commemorative framed plaques.
Lelia Carter, 105, from Burrell Nursing Center in Roanoke, was crowned oldest honoree. She was surrounded by her sisters Julia Beatty, 100, and Jeannette Anderson, 102.
Other honorees included Mamie Turner, Emma Miller, Martha Bell and Mary Akers - each 100.
Everyone sang "Happy Birthday To You" and applauded. Some young folks provided entertainment.
"For our first number, we're going to do a basic step, strut, grapevine and turn," said Phyllis Smith, spokeswoman for a group averaging 78 to 80 years old who make up the Friendship Manor Line Dancers, before she and 12 others launched into a jaunty routine. Three rousing selections later, the centenarians grinned sheepishly at Smith's invitation to join her group on the dance floor, but there were no takers.
"We'll leave that stuff to you kids," one of them said.
Which is not to say that the centenarians don't get their share of exercise. Most said they stay active and busy, although none would exactly call it a "secret" of longevity.
"I just lived," said 101-year-old Annie Williams, a former nurse and midwife who lived in Bedford next door to ex-Roanoke mayor Noel Taylor when Taylor was a boy.
Stanley Rader, 101 and the lone man among the honorees, joked that he gets exercise ducking the ladies who are always pursuing him. He said he didn't have a key to good health or longevity, but he could sum up the best part of living to be 100 or better - Perk 3:
"When you're 100, it's just good to just be living," Rader said.
by CNB