Berks centenarians honored at annual luncheon

Reading Eagle (PA) | | Karen Shuey

The Berks County Area Agency on Aging hosted its 12th annual Centenarian Luncheon on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading. Five of the centenarians served in the military and were recognized and honored for their service by staff from the Office of Veterans Affairs. •Arthur Fischman, who was also honored for his military service.

The Berks County Area Agency on Aging hosted its 12th annual Centenarian Luncheon on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading.

The luncheon honors and celebrates Berks residents who are 100 years of age or older or who will turn 100 this year.

More than 100 people joined the party celebrating 22 centenarians along with family members, friends and other guests.

The ceremony included a lunch, a birthday cake presentation, entertainment and remarks from the county commissioners.

Five of the centenarians served in the military and were recognized and honored for their service by staff from the Office of Veterans Affairs.

Each centenarian had their picture taken and was presented with a framed, commemorative photo.

The following were honored at the event:

Marjorie R. Annaballi

Penelope X. Ballas

Helen L. Brown

June M. Burkert

Nora F. Civitarese

Warren Fearon, who was also honored for his military service.

Arthur Fischman, who was also honored for his military service.

Josephine Flinchbaugh

Freda Genova

Betty M. Guilden

Arlene Hasson

Rita Hendershott

Ernest Knechel

Marion E. Long, who was also honored for her military service.

Louise I. Orlando

Christine Petree

Vivian Reitz

Betty L. Stump

Pauline Suchomelly

Dorothy Trate, who was also honored for her military service.

• Dominic Zampeli, who was also honored for his military service.

Amanda Zerbe

Dorothy Trate was one of the 22 centenarian honored at the 12th annual Centenarian Luncheon hosted by the Berks County Area Agency on Aging Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading. (Courtesy of Berks County Area Agency on Aging)Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, standing, spoke at the 12th annual Centenarian Luncheon hosted by the Berks County Area Agency on Aging Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading. (Courtesy of Berks County Area Agency on Aging)Edwin Jankowski, of the Berks County Veterans Affairs Office, presents centenarian Arthur Fischman with a certificate honoring his service as a veteran during the 12th annual Centenarian Luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.(Courtesy of Berks County Area Agency on Aging)

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