National Centenarian’s Day was celebrated Sept. 22 at Sacred Heart Senior Living by the Creek, Northampton. This special day honors those who have celebrated 100 or more birthdays.

National Centenarian’s Day was established in Williamsport, Md., around the year 2000 to celebrate the growing population of centenarians across the country. Estimates indicate there are about 97,000 centenarians in the United States.

A supercentenarian is a person who is at least 110 years old. There are an estimated 700 to 1,000 supercentenarians around the world. Kane Tanaka, of Japan, is the oldest person known. She is 117 years old.

Virginia Gall, a spry 101-year-old formerly of Bethlehem, is a Sacred Heart resident.

When asked what her longevity secret was, she responded, “I’d like to know. I have no idea.”

Sacred Heart staff member Leighann Ashton gently reminded Virginia she eats a box of Hot Tamales candy every day.

“Yes, I do,” Virginia responded with a chuckle. “Sometimes, two boxes!”

Rose Augustine Knesz, 100 years old, said her secret to longevity is “eating toast and garlic” as well as eating cracklings (pork fat trimmings that have been fried) mixed in with mashed potatoes.

Rose said she also drinks lots of water.

“You gotta be happy,” she said.

Rose also noted she was busy all of her life. She worked as an inspector at the Billera pants factory at Ninth and Main streets in Northampton for many years.

“I inspected Army, Navy and civilian pants,” she noted. “I loved working there.”

Her first husband was killed in action during World War II. She was a widow for the next 16 years.

Rose remarried at age 36 and had twins - a boy and a girl - from her second marriage. She had two children from her first marriage.

A lifelong Northampton resident, Rose said there were more trains going through town, and there was a train called the Flyer that cost a dollar to go to New York City. Kids traveled for free. She enjoyed her visits to New York on the Flyer.

At that time, Rose said Northampton was very safe.

“You could be out on the streets at 2 a.m. and be safe,” she said.

Born in 1921, Elizabeth Crock was asked her secret for a long life.

“I don’t know the secret,” she said. “I just live one day at a time.”

Formerly of Catasauqua, Elizabeth noted she loved living in the borough.

“I eat what I want,” Elizabeth said, noting she is not on a special diet. “I like pork and eat whatever I get.”

The women were honored at the senior living facility by state lawmakers and Northampton County representatives. This was the first centenarian celebration at Sacred Heart Senior Living. It is expected this will become an annual event at the facility, 602 E. 21st St., Northampton.