100 years and counting
County celebrates centenarians
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WARREN -- Attendees provided the secret for a long life at a luncheon, "Celebrating Our Centenarians," on Friday morning at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library.
Sponsored by the Trumbull County Commissioners and organized through the Trumbull County Senior Levy office, the event honored 19 area residents who are at least 100 years old.
"Some of our honorees have been part of this celebration since the first year (we held this program)," said Diane Siskowic-Jurkovic, administrator of the Trumbull County Senior Levy. One honoree who has been included since its debut is 108½-year-old Evelyn Fisher, the county's oldest centenarian, who was unable to attend the luncheon.
Nationally, Sept. 22 is designated as National Centenarian Day.
Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez read the proclamation given to each of the centenarians. Siskowic-Jurkovic helped with providing a fun fact about the world during the year that they were born.
Each honoree sat at a table decorated with the year that they were born. Some of the seniors knew friends that were born the same year as them.
Trumbull County Commissioner Tony Bernard mentioned that he knew two of the centenarians because he grew up near them and he ate lunch at their houses. He grew up with 101-year-old James Gwin's son. He was represented at the luncheon by friends and family members.
Barry Gwin said his great-grandfather told his dad he could go in the woods as much as he wanted and explore as long as he went to church on Sunday. He called his dad a mountain man since that is where he grew up.
Marcia Ford of Champion, Barry Gwin's sister, said her father grew up in the mountains of Pennsylvania before moving to Ohio and working at Van Huffel Tube for over 40 years. He is a World War II veteran who served in Europe and the Pacific.
Ford believes her father's secret to longevity is, "He loved being outdoors and he loved the land."
Many of the guests could not attend the luncheon for various reasons.
At 102, Mike Salcone was the oldest person there. The World War II United States Navy veteran was born March 1, 1924. During the war, Salcone was on a ship that survived a torpedo blast.
He believed that his reason for a long life was, "God's will." He added, "God helped him get to where he is at right now. Because of His help, I am here."
Geraldine "Gerri" Neely, who will be 102 on Dec. 10, was the second oldest of the honorees. Her daughter-in-law, Peggy Neely, spoke about why she thinks she has reached centenarian status.
"She has no filter, whatsoever. I love her to death," she said.
The elder Neely suggested that the honorees should speak in order of age from oldest to youngest.
For the longevity secret of her mother-in-law, Peggy Neely said, "She was born at home. She was a farm girl from North Lima and I think the secret to her long life was the two glasses of wine she had every night when I first met her."
Angeline Keehner turned 100 on Jan. 31. She has a strong faith in God and especially the Blessed Mother. She raised five children and worked until she was 78.
"She is pretty feisty. I think that contributes to her longevity and her strong faith in God," her daughter said.
When Dorothy Sauer, 100, received her proclamation, she asked,"What did I receive an award for?" She then thanked everyone for the honor.
Sauer said her secret to longevity is "waking up every morning." She also mentioned sleeping in now and having breakfast at 10 a.m.
Mary Pytlick became a centenarian in June. The mother of seven children let her daughter, Kathy Lamarca, speak for her. Her daughter gave this as one of her mom's secrets to longevity.
"She has never driven a car one day in her life, but she is never home. She has a better social life than I do. She is always on the go. I think one of her secrets is that she has so many people that care about her that are friends. She has a huge network of family and friends who are willing to give her what she needs," Lamarca said.
She continued with another of Pytlik's longevity tips. "Her other secret is her diet. She eats hot dogs, lunch meat, potato chips, and Cheetos. I think she's so well preserved," said Lamarca, as she and her mother laughed.
Born in Denmark, Maine, Marion Prox became a centenarian last month.
"My brother had to get the doctor to come from the next town when I was born, and he drove a horse and buggy," Prox said.
She gave her secret to longevity as "hard work and I didn't drink and I didn't smoke."
As the luncheon ended and the honorees began to leave, Salcone said he hoped to see everyone again next year.