Philadelphia Celebrates Its Centenarians With Birthday Party A Century in the Making
By Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Michael Nutter and other city officials gathered today to recognize Philadelphians who have reached or are nearing their 100th birthday.
Balloons and streamers filled the air at the luncheon as more than 100 senior citizens each celebrated a century of life.
"I, Michael A. Nutter, mayor of the City of Philadelphia, do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 21st, 2015, to be Celebrate Centenarians Day," the mayor intoned today at the Sheet Metal Workers' union hall, on Delaware Avenue.
Dr. Eli Zebooker was the oldest man in attendance. He is 102. And he says he has no secret for a long life.
"That's a question everyone asks," he noted today. "And the only answer I can give you is, just keep breathing. If you stop, you're over!"
Dr. Zebooker, a 1940 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania dental school, is a resident of Society Hill and has been married to his wife Janet for 67 years.
"One of my proudest moments was when I got married," he said today, "and was when I had my daughter." His daughter, Nina, was also in attendance today.
Philadelphia is home to more than 500 centenarians, one of the largest such populations in the United States.