Delaware County celebrates age, longevity and connection at annual centenarian luncheon

DREXEL HILL (KYW Newsradio) — There were 60 honorees at this year’s Delaware County Centenarian Luncheon, but Barb Nicolardi with Delaware County’s Office of Services for the Aging says there were hundreds of stories that could keep you enthralled for hours.

“It’s awesome just to hear what people remember and to know what the roads looked like, what gas prices were, what houses cost in Delaware County then and now, so it’s just amazing,” she said.

One of the honorees, Bruce Schwartz, recently turned 100, and can remember when the Model T and horse and buggy were the main modes of transportation alongside some of the earliest Chevrolets. Gas was also just 18 cents a gallon the year Schwartz was born.

He’s in awe of how far we’ve come since.

“We’ve done a lot. We have electric cars, gas cars, who knows what’s next,” said Schwartz.

Dorthy Kilbane is 102, still spry, and drives around in her own car.

“I’m driving a Nissan,” she said.

It’s a long way from her first car when she was 16, a 1934 Plymouth.

Beyond the stories and memories, Nicolardi said the annual luncheon is also a vital time to connect with other people, if only for a few hours.

“We’re happy this is one of the events we do that gets people who may [not] normally be out in the public, out in the public celebrating,” she said.

As for future plans, Schwartz said it’s all about enjoying life.