Celebrating 100 years of life in Niagara County

From a Ford Model T to the smart car, from President William Howard Taft to Barack Obama and from a phone you picked up and told the operator who you wanted to dial all the way to an iPhone, a lot of things have changed in a century

Seeing all of those changes is a group of more than 50 seniors from around Niagara County who have all hit the 100-year milestone.

The Niagara County Office for the Aging are honoring the centenarians of the county and have been throwing celebrations.

On Oct. 3, Lockport seniors were recognized at the Dale Association. They include Ada Baes, 105, Loraine Clark, 104, Geraldine Reynolds, 101 and Thomas A. Rotondon, Sr., 101. Theodore Schleef, 101, and Frances Brown, who will turn 100 next month, were also recognized, though unable to attend.

“It’s unbelievable, the longevity you have,” Nutrition Coordinator Glenda Reardon spoke to the honorees. “Everything you’ve seen through the years, the wars you’ve seen, all of the good things you’ve seen, the development of the automobile, the way transportation is, technology and how you survived it and surmounted it. All of your contributions to society and being part of the community here.”

Each of the four centenarians were presented a citations from state Sen. George Maziarz, City of Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker and Town of Lockport Supervisor Marc Smith.

“It’s a huge milestone which you reached,” said Smith. “To me, it’s really something amazing.”

Some of the honorees spoke words of advice on how they made it past 100.

Clark told people to take one day at a time.

Reynolds encouraged people to stay active and “keep on trucking.”

The Office for the Aging also held celebrations at the Tuscarora Nation House and the Lewiston Senior Center.

On Nov. 1, a celebration will take place at the North Tonawanda Senior Center and the Niagara Falls celebration will be Nov. 8 at the John Duke Center.

Those interested in attending can call the site of their choice at least 24 hours ahead. The upcoming celebrations will have birthday cake and lunch. The suggested contribution is $3 for seniors 60 and older or $4 for those under 60.

The Office for the Aging last honored centenarians in 2009.