#centenarian — Public Fediverse posts

🎉🎈 The weekend: a #centenarian now plagued by the existential crisis of hybrid work and the dreaded 'skiveday Friday.' Surely, this groundbreaking revelation from The Guardian will change absolutely nothing in your life as you continue to scroll past their 100-menu-item website 🤦‍♂️.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/aug/16/the-weekend-is-100-years-old-skiveday-fridays-and-hybrid-working-ruined-it #existentialcrisis #hybridwork #skivedayfriday #TheGuardian #HackerNews #ngated

Spanning a River, a Century, and Two Lives Given for Us

Most of us don’t contemplate time in relation to everyday structures unless there is something unique or historic about it. We drive a highway, enter a building, walk a trail, cross a bridge, or climb a staircase without any thought of its existence beyond its utilitarian purpose.

Now and then an otherwise obscure structure will garner our attention merely by a fortuitous glance. That happened to this blog author and wife recently while we were traveling through southeast Kansas.

Just east of Independence, Kansas, while crossing the rain swollen Verdigris River on U.S. 160, I just happened to look to the right and saw an impressive four-span concrete through-arch bridge upriver from where we were. For the heck of it, we decided to circle back and take a closer look. Boy, are we ever glad we did.

The first thing noticed beyond the bridge’s handsome architecture was its birthdate engraved into the mortar…“1926.” Well now, we have ourselves a centenarian. This grand old bridge has survived the Depression; countless severe storms and tornadoes; snow, salt, wind, and ice; reckless divers; snowplows; heavy trucks and farm machinery, being bypassed by a strapping steel span, budget cuts, deferred maintenance, and who knows what else. Yet, the Old Route 160 Bridge (technically Montgomery County Bridge #628) across the Verdigris River has withstood all of these challenges and the test of time.

As noted earlier, Montgomery County Bridge #628 consists of four spans. It is a Rainbow (or Marsh) through-arch. The bridge has a total length of 434 feet with a main span of 122 feet and a width of 20 feet. It was built by the Fifield Construction Company of Waterloo, Iowa and Marsh Engineering Company of Des Moines. These two firms also combined forces to construct a similar, though shorter bridge in nearby Coffeyville that same year (1926).

– Source for the information in the previous paragraph: historic bridges.org

Montgomery County Bridge #628 was added to the National Register of History Places in 1983. It is the longest remaining Rainbow (or Marsh) Arch bridge in Kansas. James B. Marsh, founder of Marsh Engineering received a patent for this type of bridge design in 1911 (see image above). Two notable aspects of the bridge’s history from the register application include:

“It was not until the introduction of the “rainbow arch” by Marsh, that Kansas made widespread use of reinforced concrete spans for major stream crossings. Marsh canvassed the midwest, selling his arches in direct competition with the steel trusses at that time.”

“The Verdigris River bridge east of Independence, Kansas retains its integrity of
location, design, setting, materials, feeling, and association. It is associated with the life of James B. Marsh, pioneer in steel and concrete bridge construction. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type and method of construction that is no longer used, and, as such, may yield information important to the history of engineering.”

– Source: npgallery.nps.gov

But there is more to this handsome river span than first meets the eye. Set near ground level on either end of the concrete bridge walls are four old plaques. Two list the usual details like the year built and platitudes for those who oversaw its design and construction.

On another plaque (see above) was a solemn dedication. The bridge we had just stumbled upon by chance is dedicated to the memory of O. “Otis” Glenn Dewlen, a nearly 22 year-old man who was killed during the Argonne Forest Campaign in France on September 26, 1918. His death occurred barely eight weeks before the signing of the November 11th Armistice, which brought an end to World War I. 

Below is an image of the newspaper account of his death as written by his Sergeant in a letter to his mother…

– Source: newspapers.com

Apparently, we missed the second memorial plaque dedicated to another local young man (Harry F. Spohnhauer) who died on November 2, 1918, a mere nine days before the Armistice. As a result the honorary, non-technical name for the bridge is the Dewlen-Spohnhauer Memorial Bridge. Unfortunately, readily available information on PFC Spohnhauer was not found online, other than he appears to have lived just outside of Independence near the community of Cherryvale.

Such an occurrence is not unusual. It seems no matter how many times we traverse the heartland of the United States on our way to and fro, there is always something new to see, observe, attend, or happen upon. Sometimes it’s a scenic vista, while other times it’s a lonely bridge in Kansas that commemorates two brave young men. 

Mostly, it’s the unexpected and unplanned surprises that are vividly etched into the lasting memories of our psyche. Montgomery County Bridge #628 is just such a place. We will forever be grateful for the opportunity afforded us to visit this remarkable old bridge and honor these two stalwart young men who sacrificed their lives for the greater good.

“Something for all of us to ponder as we rapidly approach the nation’s 250th birthday during a time of ongoing threats to our cherished civil liberties — these two young privates from a small Kansas community, so aptly named Independence, gave their lives to protect those same freedoms that most Americans plan to celebrate during the upcoming week. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.”

– Panethos.wordpress.com

Peace!

Postscript:

Given the historical, engineering, and commemorative importance of Montgomery County Bridge #628, it seems that routine maintenance should be an ongoing priority. As some of the photos taken last week clearly show, the bridge appears to need prompt service and care to assure it retains its integrity and survives yet another century to honor its unique engineering design and especially in remembrance of two young men from Independence, Kansas.

SOURCES:

• Onsite plaques
• https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/09df7aea-3f23-4ba9-9700-44f6394315e6
• https://historicbridges.org/b_a_list.php?ct=&c=&ptype=county&pname=Montgomery+County,+Kansas
• https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/83000436
• https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/09df7aea-3f23-4ba9-9700-44f6394315e6
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=61437
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Montgomery_County,_Kansas
• https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-star-otis-glenn-dewlen-kill/4106636/
• https://www.ksgenweb.org/archives/statewide/military/wwI/casualty/s1p22-27.html

<3 Sir David Attenborough <3 100 vuotta tänään.

#SirDavid #DavidAttenborough #Attenborough #centenarian #luonto #nature #media #journalismi #journalism

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3pww9g0p5o

As we celebrate Sir David Attenborough becoming a #centenarian Friday 🎂🥳, may I humbly ask our #fediverse whether his voice has a calming and/or relaxing effect on you? It sure does for me and I suspect I'm not alone!🙏 #mastofriday #nature #filmastodon 👇

#DavidAttenborough at 100: ‘The most consequential broadcaster of our times’
"Sir David’s #voice with its unmistakable timbre was often the star of the #show"
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/david-attenborough-at-100-the-most-consequential-broadcaster-of-our-times

Becoming a Centenarian

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/22/becoming-a-centenarian

#HackerNews #Becoming #a #Centenarian #centenarian #longevity #health #aging #lifeexpectancy #NewYorker

"When we invite people to dinner at our apartment, we ask them to come at seven and all but suggest that they leave by nine. One of us will joke that this is the time I start to drool, but the real reason is that from nine on I can no longer take part in a conversation." —Calvin Tomkins for The New Yorker

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/22/becoming-a-centenarian

#100 #Diary #Centenarian

104-year-old WWII veteran's haunting saxophone 'Star Spangled Banner' rendition stuns stadium crowd

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.upworthy.com/national-anthem-veteran-saxophone

Dick Van Dyke turns 100

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/13/dick-van-dyke-centenarian-100-mary-poppins-chitty-chitty-bang-bang

#HackerNews #DickVanDyke #100thBirthday #FilmLegend #MaryPoppins #ChittyChittyBangBang #Centenarian

started a #wikipedia article on US poet, novelist, educator Theda Kenyon (1894-1997; yes, she lived to be 103); she wrote historical novels based on the lives of Joan of Arc and Anne Hutchinson, among others: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theda_Kenyon @wikiwomeninred #WeirdTales #historicalfiction #Poetry #HunterCollege #centenarian

started a #wikipedia article on US chemist, food scientist, college dean, Marion C. Pfund (1897-2000): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_C._Pfund @wikiwomeninred @simmonsuniv @vassar @YaleUniversity @cornelluniversi @BYU @sjsu #FoodScience #WomeninSTEM #Boston #LaJolla #Centenarian

Another day, another centenarian's obituary garners more coverage than actual news 📰. Betty Webb cracks the ultimate code: how to live past 100 while the #BBC tries to decipher why it matters in today's world 🌍.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78jd30ywv8o #centenarian #obituaries #longevity #life #lessons #newsworthy #HackerNews #ngated

Eva Marie Saint, Academy Award Winning Actress (On The Waterfront, 1954) turned 100 on July 4th

'Hitchcock said, "I don't want you going back to sink-to-sink movies. You do movies where you wash the dishes looking drab in an apron. The audience wants to see their leading ladies dressed up". He saw me as others didn't.'

Eva Marie Saint worked with Alfred Hitchcock on North By Northwest in 1959

#evamariesaint #oscarwinner #actress #onthewaterfront #northbynorthwest #filmstar #fiftiesstyle #moviestar #rememberlegends #greatperformances #screenstars #silverscreen #birthday #centenarian #alfredhitchcock #hitchcock #glamour

Healthy #Lifestyle and the Likelihood of Becoming a #Centenarian

"... The findings of this study suggest that adhering to a healthy lifestyle could be beneficial even at a very advanced age..."

#Health #Ageing #Prevention #Aging

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820220?s=09

started a #wikipedia article on Greenwich Village pediatrician Lillian Milgram Schapiro (1902-2006): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Milgram_Schapiro @wikiwomeninred #Tuberculosis #BellevueHospital #Pediatrics #Centenarian

#US. #centenarian #population is projected to quadruple over the next #30years

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/09/us-centenarian-population-is-projected-to-quadruple-over-the-next-30-years/

#centenarian Pearl Taylor credits her #longevity to a natural diet, gentle exercise, spirituality, and following politics 👏 https://www.insider.com/102-year-old-tiktoker-shares-the-secrets-of-her-longevity-2023-9 #centenarians

My grandma passed away today at age 101. She was a lover *and* a fighter, and she lived an incredible life. I'm sad for those of us who no longer get to have her with us. But I'm glad for her that she no longer has to be in pain.
Love you, Grandma. ♥️

#family
#centenarian
#love
#death

Rough week for my family. We are spending our days and nights on rotation, sitting vigil with Grandma, age 101. She is in her final days, and hospice says it won't be long now. We are all sad, exhausted, resigned. It's put me in mind of how removed USA society is from death, how death is sanitized here. We have ALL the buffers to keep its realities from us.

And yet, we all will face it. None of us get out alive. Memento mori. Hug your beloveds.

#death
#centenarian
#family
#love

started a #wikipedia article on Cornish-born Canadian businesswoman, philanthropist, centenarian (?), Harriet Richards Carne (1831-1931), no relation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Carne @wikiwomeninred #VictoriaBC #Cornwall #Canada #Centenarian

My mother turned 101 today! She’s a remarkable person. #veteran #RCAF #centenarian #PEI #legend

"My name is Eileen Kramer. I am a dancer. I’ve been dancing for more than 100 years, and I like to think I’m getting the hang of it. I am not old. I’ve just been here a long time"

#age #centenarian #stateofmind

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/29/eileen-kramer-life-keeps-me-dancing-book?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

A man called Sylvester Magee claimed to be 130 years old, to be the last living former American slave, and to have played the seventh incarnation of Doctor Who.

#SylvesterMagee #centenarian #american #slavery #history #QI #notQI