USA: Honoring Nonagenarians - And More - You have to be .....90

. That is, if you want to go to the party Smithtown gives for long-lived residents LONG ISLAND, NY (Newsday), August 24, 2008: By Stacey Altherr| stacey.altherr@newsday.com The songs were not from today's Top 40, but they were certainly well known by the more than 100 people in attendance. Voices were raised to such classics as "When You Wore A Tulip," "Shine On, Harvest Moon," "A Bicycle Built for Two" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." And those were just a few. The music was merry at the Town of Smithtown's annual birthday party for residents 90 years old - or older. Officials said 110 people attended the festivities at the Smithtown Senior Citizen Center on Middle Country Road earlier this month. Anthony Rotunno, an employee at the center and one of the performers known as Ad Lib Players, wowed the ladies as he handed out roses to "Oh! You Beautiful Doll," even hugging a few along the way. Rotunno said he's "over 75" - but not 90. The guests talked of their secrets for longevity: hard work, having a place to go every day, and even the popular dish pasta e fagioli. But it was Andy Bozzi, 93, who nailed what may be the real secret when he sang a song called "Friends, Friends, Friends." "The secret to being happy and a long life is friends," he said after the performance. "It's very important to have good friends." There's one other ingredient, said Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio: "You forgot to tell her you put sambuca in your coffee," he joked. "Oh yeah, that's right," Bozzi said. Bozzi served in the Army in World War II under Gen. George Patton, and landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 - D-Day. Vecchio, 77, whose 30-year tenure makes him the longest-serving town supervisor in Long Island history, tries to attend the event every year. He worked the crowd at this year's party, greeting many of the residents by name. At the microphone, he told jokes about getting into heaven, and told the crowd, "I'm looking good. I have a new embalmer." "Drive carefully, because I'm walking," he joked, to applause. Active lives, still Among the guests were Marie Sturm, 97, who has lived in St. James her whole life, moving to the house next-door to her parents when she married. And today, even though she needs a walker to get around, she still cares for herself in her own house, she said. Mercedes Almedina, 99, had the distinction of being the oldest guest. When she came to America as a young woman, she didn't speak English, she said. Almedina came from Puerto Rico in 1929 by boat, a five-day trip during which she was sick. During the Great Depression, she used her sewing skills to find work in the garment district in Manhattan. She said she made $40 a week, a healthy wage at that time - especially for a woman. "God smiled on me," she said. She clearly enjoyed the party, just about cleaning her plate. "God Bless America," she said as she was handed her rose and a congratulatory certificate signed by Vecchio. Forever young ... And if keeping busy is the secret to longevity, then Margaret Olsen might live forever. Olsen, 94, volunteers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. four days a week at the senior citizen center's gift shop, as she has for the past 18 years. "I could never stay home," she said. "This is what keeps you young." The large senior center has a pool table, card room and arts and crafts. The gift shop sells mostly items made by the seniors, including handmade baby blankets. They have a variety of activities each day for the seniors in the town, including bingo, quilting, exercise and line dancing, as well as a book club. The center's Ad Lib Players also hold monthly entertainment shows for the residents. Charles Cacioppo, 91, from St. James was clearly enjoying the party. "This is my second year," he said. "It think it's wonderful. I look forward to next year." Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.