Centenarians Celebrate 100 Years Of Birthdays And Accomplishments

By Anita Oh

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Almost everyone has heard the 'birthday song' before, but not many have heard it more than 100 times.

Edith Kutcher is 99 and still works every day at a library in northeast Philadelphia.

"Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday! And I stay until 1 o'clock!" Edith said.

Edith, along with many others, is celebrating 100 years of birthdays and accomplishments. They make up only a fraction of the number of centenarians in Philadelphia.

There are nearly 550 in the city!

"I'm only 103! I'm a beginner," said Dr. Eli Zebooker.

A World War II veteran and former dentist in Center City, Dr. Zebooker of Society Hill has quite a history. Now he gets another title, as the oldest man honored at the city of Philadelphia's 16th annual Centenarian celebration.

"I think living in Philadelphia is a good thing," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "It makes ya live longer. I urge everyone who wants to live until 100 to move to Philadelphia!"

It has worked for Marvin Wiggins, a retired army supply clerk, who at 99-years-old, has a driver's license good through 2018. He will be 100 in November.
"I'm gonna drive myself out to dinner," Wiggins said laughingly.

If wisdom is collected over a lifetime, these centenarians hold a wealth of it.

"Be happy be content and don't worry," said Kutcher. "Just live and love."

And even when it feels like you just can't keep going, Zebooker offers some words of encouragement.

"Keep breathing, once you stop breathing, you're dead."