Carmichael Eskaton Village centenarians include (from left) Teresa Siebert 102, Trudy Holck 101, Marcella Seibert 101, Carry Cohn 101, Marian Thompson 106 and George Carey 101. Carmichael Eskaton staffers are Nicole Zamora, Terese ten Brinke and Jessica Salvato. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Twenty-three century-plus year-olds recently combined more than 2,300 years of life experience as they toasted National Centenarians Day during a banquet in Eskaton Village Carmichael.

With many 100-year-olds under its roof, the facility opened doors to other Eskaton residences and included the event’s oldest participant, Inez Salvato. Born in Louisiana in 1916, the great-great grandmother now lives at Eskaton Cameron Park. She celebrated her 107th birthday just days after the Carmichael shindig.

Fellow party goers included WW II veterans, teachers, nurses, businesspeople, homemakers and a 101-year-old holocaust survivor.

Addressing centenarians and their families, Eskaton President/CEO Sheri Peifer noted secrets for enjoying great age included living with purpose; eating wisely; moving sedately; drinking wine moderately; sharing a faith-based philosophy; putting loved ones first and having a supportive community.

“At Eskaton,” said Peifer, “We believe in all this, and we believe that age is beautiful.”

 WW II combat pilot George Carey (101) is spotlighted during an interview with CBS news anchor Tony Lopez. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Four days before her 107th birthday, the event’s most senior participant, Cameron Park Eskaton resident Inez Salvato (left), enjoys the party. Daughter Gail Devine (84) joins the toast. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Assemblyman Josh Hoover (left) and Congressman Ami Bera’s representative Matt Ceccato give rah-rahs to Carmichael Honorary Mayor Kerri Mandes. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner