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Founded in 1989 by Lynn Peters Adler, J.D.
Centenarian Expert and Older Adults Advocate

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Dodie Haynes, 100
photo and story by Marla Levine

     Doris “Dodie” Haynes celebrates her 100th birthday on Feb. 15, 2009.
       Haynes was born in the charming riverside city of Perrysburg, Ohio in 1909. For a brief history lesson, Perrysburg was founded nearly 200 years ago and is the only city in the United States, besides Washington D.C., that was originally planned by the Federal Government.
        A born lover of music, Haynes shares the same birth year, 1909, with American jazz musician and bandleader Benny Goodman, big band drummer Gene Krupa, and lyricist Johnny Mercer.
        Music was always a family affair in her childhood home. “Father would play a full set trap drums,” Haynes recalled. She would join the family’s band of merrymakers, which also included her mother and sister. Each played along on one of the many musical instruments at their fingertips from piano and drums, to the saxophone, violin and banjo.

        I played piano, but never serious,” Haynes said. “I played by ear and was popular at sing-a-longs, but then just wanted to dance. Whereas, my sister graduated in music.”
       “I taught third grade for five years in Bowling Green during the Depression days,” Haynes recounted. “I was tickled to get a job at $1,100 for a whole year.”
       Of a century filled with inventions, the first to ring a bell in Haynes’ childhood memories, she recalled, “I remember our home in Ohio had a crank telephone on the wall, and people talked on a party line.”
       For the past 100 years her favorite pastimes have kept her feeling young at heart. “I loved golfing and playing the different courses,” Haynes said. “As an 18-hole golfer, we walked with caddies. It was good exercise.”
       As for her spin on longevity, she recounted, “I did a lot of dancing and claim that’s why I lived so long. Loved the big bands and danced every dance.”
       Presently Haynes enjoys playing cards. “We play bridge three times a week. It keeps my mind and thought process active.”
       The story of her life reads like a good book, she said, “Since I was a little girl, I have loved to read. Not so much history anymore, more mysteries.” Her favorite page-turning author, “Nora Roberts has so many different ideas.”
       As for the next chapter of the centenarian’s life, Haynes looks forward to a much-anticipated visit from her two nieces coming from Florida and California. The family’s dinner party will be filled with happily ever afters and a sweet birthday wish, “Angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream, instead of frosting.”

     

Respecting the privacy of this centenarian and all centenarians on our website, we ask all media (or other businesses) to please direct inquiries to Lynn Adler: adler@ncap100s.org.

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1998-2012 National Centenarian Awareness Project & Lynn Peters Adler, J.D.
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