USA: Long Island Senior Day honors those with full lives

BY ANASTASIA ECONOMIDES LONG ISLAND, NY (Newsday), May 10, 2008: At 104, Madeline Venuti of Glen Cove doesn't attribute her longevity to anything special, saying anyone could live just as long. "I get along with everyone. I'm no different than anybody ... " she said. Glen Cove celebrated its second annual Senior Day Saturday in the Village Square in downtown Glen Cove, honoring 15 centenarians, including its eldest, Marietta Capizzi, 107, who did not attend. All the centenarians were clad in elegant wear, with blankets wrapped around them to ward off the chill of temperatures in the 50s. Blond on Blond Salon treated them to complimentary makeovers. Most of the seniors live together in the upscale Regency retirement home. Venuti was the eldest present at the event, and friends, family and strangers greeted and adored her. From her wheelchair, she welcomed all, waving and cupping people's faces in her hands. "She's the mayor of The Regency. She knows everybody," said her grandson, Louis Venuti, 45. Venuti never smoked or drank, and walked a lot. She eats well, "but not a lot. I'm not fussy with food," she said. Her only condition is difficulty hearing, according to her family. She also enjoys drinking tea every night, eating chocolate and reading the newspaper. Born on Dec. 26, 1903, in Brooklyn, Venuti is the oldest of four siblings. She grew up in Flushing, Queens, and moved to Glen Cove in August 2007. She attended St. Michael's Roman Catholic School in Flushing and worked at the New York Telephone Company for 24 years. When a reporter showed her the latest in phone technology -- a cell phone, Venuti responded, "That's something ... they changed, and so have I." In 1927, Venuti married James Peter Venuti, who died in 1982, and had two sons. She also has seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, who is 8 years old. "She's one of the lucky ones. I guess it's a combination of genes and God giving her the good situation to be in good health," said her eldest son, James Peter Venuti Jr., 77, of Flushing. Seniors clapped and danced at a free concert and enjoyed a free lunch. Also honored was Bob Howard, 84, who came up with the idea of Senior Day. There are more than 7,000 senior citizens in Glen Cove, according to Carol Waldman, executive director of the Glen Cove Senior Center. Mayor Ralph Suozzi felt it was a good turnout for a deserving population. "They're not just Grandma and Grandpa. They're mentors, volunteers ... they have full lives." Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.