Lutz Celebrates 100th Birthday
By Gracie Joanou
lntelligencer Journal Staff
It seemed like a gala New Year's Eve party, only it was the afternoon of Jan. 2. There were fancy hats, balloons, clowns, sparklers, punch, ice cream and cake!
And there was Howard Lutz, born Jan. 2, 1887 on Cabbage Hill, the center of all the festivities!
Lutz was surrounded by a social room full of well wishers, most of them fellow residents at Hamilton Arms, all toasting his 100 years.
Well aware that the hoopla was for him, Lutz often choked back a tear when something would remind him of his past. His son Donald, Landisville, had brought in one of the fancy circus wagons that Lutz had made years ago.
He had a workshop in the basement of his home on West Frederick Street, where he and his late wife of more than 60 years, Anna Schear Lutz, lived for over 40 years.
Lutz received a dozen red roses and the cake and ice cream party from his family. The beautiful bouquet of roses choked him up, probably because they were a reminder of the lovely rose gardens he produced in his backyard years ago.
"He use to enjoy growing flowers and really took pride in his roses," added Ethel Lutz, his daughter-in-law, who also helped with the party.
A blacksmith by trade, Lutz did his apprenticeship at Bailey's Carriage Works, "where most of the blacksmiths got their start." At Bailey's he forged steel for wheels and springs. Later he worked as a blacksmith for Armstrong World Industries from 1915 to 1952, when he retired after 36 years and 7 months of employment.
During his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and making intricate toys like the colorful circus wagon complete with movable top, side bars, oaken bucket, animals inside and loading door. The wheels function just like the real thing. He painted the wagons red and white, with ornate wheels. All of the half dozen or more wagons were given away to relatives.
Other toys he designed were rocking horses. small cupboards for granddaughters and wooden games with marbles for grandsons. He even made roses out of iron.
Lutz, a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ, is the father of three children Donald, Landisville, Richard, Ontario, Calif., and Robert, deceased. There are seven children who call him "grandfather," and nine who call him great-grandfather.
Himself, one of six children, four brothers and one sister, Lutz is the last living sibling. A large part of his married life, he lived near Franklin and Marshall College and walked downtown and back every day.
"When I couldn't walk that much, I would walk down town and take a ride back," he mused.
Howard lived a good life and he had a fondness for drinking beer, "Yuengling Beer" to be exact. He was also a tobacco chewer and his favorites were Demuth Tobacco and Good Bite.
"Never hurt my health a bit," he chuckled. but since he has been at Hamilton Arms, he has had to forego the beer and tobacco.
Until Lutz was 97, he lived alone at the Lancaster Court Apartments, and took care of all of his personal needs. His son Don would see to his grocery shopping, and most of the time, he ate his main meal out and looked after himself.
"Many times, I would put him on a plane in Philadelphia and my brother Richard would meet him in Los Angeles," added Don. "He would stay in California all winter and then come home again. He did that until he was 97, when he broke his hip and had to come to Hamilton Arms."
"I'm happy here," added the 100-year-old gentleman. "They take good care of us and feed us good."
Although confined to a wheelchair most of the time, Lutz does get about sometimes in a walker. He dresses himself, eats three good meals a day and doesn't take medication.
"He only sees his doctor when it is absolutely necessary, like with a cold," added his son Don. "Dad loves his sweets and I'm sure he will enjoy this party."
"I always expected to live to be 100," smiled the centenarian, with a sister who lived into her 90s and whose mother was 88 before she passed away
By Gracie Joanou
lntelligencer Journal Staff
It seemed like a gala New Year's Eve party, only it was the afternoon of Jan. 2. There were fancy hats, balloons, clowns, sparklers, punch, ice cream and cake!
And there was Howard Lutz, born Jan. 2, 1887 on Cabbage Hill, the center of all the festivities!
Lutz was surrounded by a social room full of well wishers, most of them fellow residents at Hamilton Arms, all toasting his 100 years.
Well aware that the hoopla was for him, Lutz often choked back a tear when something would remind him of his past. His son Donald, Landisville, had brought in one of the fancy circus wagons that Lutz had made years ago.
He had a workshop in the basement of his home on West Frederick Street, where he and his late wife of more than 60 years, Anna Schear Lutz, lived for over 40 years.
Lutz received a dozen red roses and the cake and ice cream party from his family. The beautiful bouquet of roses choked him up, probably because they were a reminder of the lovely rose gardens he produced in his backyard years ago.
"He use to enjoy growing flowers and really took pride in his roses," added Ethel Lutz, his daughter-in-law, who also helped with the party.
A blacksmith by trade, Lutz did his apprenticeship at Bailey's Carriage Works, "where most of the blacksmiths got their start." At Bailey's he forged steel for wheels and springs. Later he worked as a blacksmith for Armstrong World Industries from 1915 to 1952, when he retired after 36 years and 7 months of employment.
During his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and making intricate toys like the colorful circus wagon complete with movable top, side bars, oaken bucket, animals inside and loading door. The wheels function just like the real thing. He painted the wagons red and white, with ornate wheels. All of the half dozen or more wagons were given away to relatives.
Other toys he designed were rocking horses. small cupboards for granddaughters and wooden games with marbles for grandsons. He even made roses out of iron.
Lutz, a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ, is the father of three children Donald, Landisville, Richard, Ontario, Calif., and Robert, deceased. There are seven children who call him "grandfather," and nine who call him great-grandfather.
Himself, one of six children, four brothers and one sister, Lutz is the last living sibling. A large part of his married life, he lived near Franklin and Marshall College and walked downtown and back every day.
"When I couldn't walk that much, I would walk down town and take a ride back," he mused.
Howard lived a good life and he had a fondness for drinking beer, "Yuengling Beer" to be exact. He was also a tobacco chewer and his favorites were Demuth Tobacco and Good Bite.
"Never hurt my health a bit," he chuckled. but since he has been at Hamilton Arms, he has had to forego the beer and tobacco.
Until Lutz was 97, he lived alone at the Lancaster Court Apartments, and took care of all of his personal needs. His son Don would see to his grocery shopping, and most of the time, he ate his main meal out and looked after himself.
"Many times, I would put him on a plane in Philadelphia and my brother Richard would meet him in Los Angeles," added Don. "He would stay in California all winter and then come home again. He did that until he was 97, when he broke his hip and had to come to Hamilton Arms."
"I'm happy here," added the 100-year-old gentleman. "They take good care of us and feed us good."
Although confined to a wheelchair most of the time, Lutz does get about sometimes in a walker. He dresses himself, eats three good meals a day and doesn't take medication.
"He only sees his doctor when it is absolutely necessary, like with a cold," added his son Don. "Dad loves his sweets and I'm sure he will enjoy this party."
"I always expected to live to be 100," smiled the centenarian, with a sister who lived into her 90s and whose mother was 88 before she passed away
Lutz Celebrates 100th Birthday
By Gracie Joanou
lntelligencer Journal Staff
It seemed like a gala New Year's Eve party, only it was the afternoon of Jan. 2. There were fancy hats, balloons, clowns, sparklers, punch, ice cream and cake!
And there was Howard Lutz, born Jan. 2, 1887 on Cabbage Hill, the center of all the festivities!
Lutz was surrounded by a social room full of well wishers, most of them fellow residents at Hamilton Arms, all toasting his 100 years.
Well aware that the hoopla was for him, Lutz often choked back a tear when something would remind him of his past. His son Donald, Landisville, had brought in one of the fancy circus wagons that Lutz had made years ago.
He had a workshop in the basement of his home on West Frederick Street, where he and his late wife of more than 60 years, Anna Schear Lutz, lived for over 40 years.
Lutz received a dozen red roses and the cake and ice cream party from his family. The beautiful bouquet of roses choked him up, probably because they were a reminder of the lovely rose gardens he produced in his backyard years ago.
"He use to enjoy growing flowers and really took pride in his roses," added Ethel Lutz, his daughter-in-law, who also helped with the party.
A blacksmith by trade, Lutz did his apprenticeship at Bailey's Carriage Works, "where most of the blacksmiths got their start." At Bailey's he forged steel for wheels and springs. Later he worked as a blacksmith for Armstrong World Industries from 1915 to 1952, when he retired after 36 years and 7 months of employment.
During his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and making intricate toys like the colorful circus wagon complete with movable top, side bars, oaken bucket, animals inside and loading door. The wheels function just like the real thing. He painted the wagons red and white, with ornate wheels. All of the half dozen or more wagons were given away to relatives.
Other toys he designed were rocking horses. small cupboards for granddaughters and wooden games with marbles for grandsons. He even made roses out of iron.
Lutz, a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ, is the father of three children Donald, Landisville, Richard, Ontario, Calif., and Robert, deceased. There are seven children who call him "grandfather," and nine who call him great-grandfather.
Himself, one of six children, four brothers and one sister, Lutz is the last living sibling. A large part of his married life, he lived near Franklin and Marshall College and walked downtown and back every day.
"When I couldn't walk that much, I would walk down town and take a ride back," he mused.
Howard lived a good life and he had a fondness for drinking beer, "Yuengling Beer" to be exact. He was also a tobacco chewer and his favorites were Demuth Tobacco and Good Bite.
"Never hurt my health a bit," he chuckled. but since he has been at Hamilton Arms, he has had to forego the beer and tobacco.
Until Lutz was 97, he lived alone at the Lancaster Court Apartments, and took care of all of his personal needs. His son Don would see to his grocery shopping, and most of the time, he ate his main meal out and looked after himself.
"Many times, I would put him on a plane in Philadelphia and my brother Richard would meet him in Los Angeles," added Don. "He would stay in California all winter and then come home again. He did that until he was 97, when he broke his hip and had to come to Hamilton Arms."
"I'm happy here," added the 100-year-old gentleman. "They take good care of us and feed us good."
Although confined to a wheelchair most of the time, Lutz does get about sometimes in a walker. He dresses himself, eats three good meals a day and doesn't take medication.
"He only sees his doctor when it is absolutely necessary, like with a cold," added his son Don. "Dad loves his sweets and I'm sure he will enjoy this party."
"I always expected to live to be 100," smiled the centenarian, with a sister who lived into her 90s and whose mother was 88 before she passed away
By Gracie Joanou
lntelligencer Journal Staff
It seemed like a gala New Year's Eve party, only it was the afternoon of Jan. 2. There were fancy hats, balloons, clowns, sparklers, punch, ice cream and cake!
And there was Howard Lutz, born Jan. 2, 1887 on Cabbage Hill, the center of all the festivities!
Lutz was surrounded by a social room full of well wishers, most of them fellow residents at Hamilton Arms, all toasting his 100 years.
Well aware that the hoopla was for him, Lutz often choked back a tear when something would remind him of his past. His son Donald, Landisville, had brought in one of the fancy circus wagons that Lutz had made years ago.
He had a workshop in the basement of his home on West Frederick Street, where he and his late wife of more than 60 years, Anna Schear Lutz, lived for over 40 years.
Lutz received a dozen red roses and the cake and ice cream party from his family. The beautiful bouquet of roses choked him up, probably because they were a reminder of the lovely rose gardens he produced in his backyard years ago.
"He use to enjoy growing flowers and really took pride in his roses," added Ethel Lutz, his daughter-in-law, who also helped with the party.
A blacksmith by trade, Lutz did his apprenticeship at Bailey's Carriage Works, "where most of the blacksmiths got their start." At Bailey's he forged steel for wheels and springs. Later he worked as a blacksmith for Armstrong World Industries from 1915 to 1952, when he retired after 36 years and 7 months of employment.
During his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking and making intricate toys like the colorful circus wagon complete with movable top, side bars, oaken bucket, animals inside and loading door. The wheels function just like the real thing. He painted the wagons red and white, with ornate wheels. All of the half dozen or more wagons were given away to relatives.
Other toys he designed were rocking horses. small cupboards for granddaughters and wooden games with marbles for grandsons. He even made roses out of iron.
Lutz, a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ, is the father of three children Donald, Landisville, Richard, Ontario, Calif., and Robert, deceased. There are seven children who call him "grandfather," and nine who call him great-grandfather.
Himself, one of six children, four brothers and one sister, Lutz is the last living sibling. A large part of his married life, he lived near Franklin and Marshall College and walked downtown and back every day.
"When I couldn't walk that much, I would walk down town and take a ride back," he mused.
Howard lived a good life and he had a fondness for drinking beer, "Yuengling Beer" to be exact. He was also a tobacco chewer and his favorites were Demuth Tobacco and Good Bite.
"Never hurt my health a bit," he chuckled. but since he has been at Hamilton Arms, he has had to forego the beer and tobacco.
Until Lutz was 97, he lived alone at the Lancaster Court Apartments, and took care of all of his personal needs. His son Don would see to his grocery shopping, and most of the time, he ate his main meal out and looked after himself.
"Many times, I would put him on a plane in Philadelphia and my brother Richard would meet him in Los Angeles," added Don. "He would stay in California all winter and then come home again. He did that until he was 97, when he broke his hip and had to come to Hamilton Arms."
"I'm happy here," added the 100-year-old gentleman. "They take good care of us and feed us good."
Although confined to a wheelchair most of the time, Lutz does get about sometimes in a walker. He dresses himself, eats three good meals a day and doesn't take medication.
"He only sees his doctor when it is absolutely necessary, like with a cold," added his son Don. "Dad loves his sweets and I'm sure he will enjoy this party."
"I always expected to live to be 100," smiled the centenarian, with a sister who lived into her 90s and whose mother was 88 before she passed away
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