By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

When you turn 103, you celebrate it twice.

Vera Eads turned 103 years young on Thursday. She celebrated with cake and punch.

Then on Friday, Pinehurst Nursing and Rehabilitation Center threw a birthday party for the guest of honor.

“They tell me I am 103,” Eads said. “But I don’t feel 103, I feel like I am 50.”

Eads was born and raised in Orange. Having seen over 100 years of changes to the city, she voiced her opinion on the matter.

“We had a nice little town here,” Eads said. “Then, well, I am just not sure. But I have a feeling it will turn back and be great again.”

It is the beautiful country surrounding the area that kept Eads here in Orange all her life.

When asked what her secret was to her age, she replied, “Don’t tell it. Then no one seems to know your age.”

But the secret to long life, besides a warm house was her words of wisdom for others.

“Keep your mouth shut,” Eads said. “Stay out of other people’s business and you will live a long life.”