From Taft to Obama, Victrola to DVD: Secrets of the Centenarians

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Centenarians alive today are older than the Titanic, crossword puzzles and Mickey Mouse. They have lived through 19 presidencies and two world wars. They saw the rise of motion pictures and radio, followed by the invention of television.

Some traveled here long ago as immigrants; others have spent their entire lives in one small town. They have celebrated golden anniversaries and beyond, and witnessed the birth of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Many of them are still happy to be driving, dancing, walking or simply breathing. But others are clinging to their remaining abilities and wondering if they are too much of a burden to their loved ones.

Not surprisingly, the question they hear most often is “What is the secret to a long life?”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/health/19Voices1.html?th&emc=th