New Britain herald., 1929-07-29
Eat What You Want and As Much As You Want, Advice of Woman of
 80; Don't Be Afraid of Hard Work
Mrs. Mary Wagner of Arch Street Becomes Octogen- arian and Gives Outline of How to Live Long
 Cooks Big Turkey Dinner for Descendants.

Mrs. Mary A. Wagner of 641 Arch street awoke yesterday morning as usual. Although it was Sunday and she loyal member of the South Con- gregational church, she did not get out her best Sunday hat and dress and go to morning service. In fact there was no morning service but she wouldn't have gone if there had been. She put on her best blue ging- ham apron, the checkered plaid and sallied into the kitchen. It was busy day. There was turkey to be cooked, potatoes to be boiled and later mashed; and all the fixlngs or d big dinner, The younger folks could worry about the cake and such "hifalutin deserts" as young folks seem to favor, but the substantl part of the dinner was up to M Mother.'
 It was Mrs. Wagner's SOth birth day anniversary. Sons and daugh- tcrs. grand children. great grand children, sister, friends and nelgh- bors were expected. It was to be a big day and "Mother,' who has ruled the roost for so years, just wasn't going 10 be relegated to any red plush easy chair in the parlor while the family prepared the dinner.
 So Mrs. Wagner entertained 20 or more guests at her S0th blrlhday dinner. She cooked the turkey ani the balance of the meal, while a daughter was responsible for large birthday cake. There were no candles, because the cake wouldn't Told 80 candles, hut there was a large so on top, and a generous slice, such as only mothers snd grand mothers know how 10 cut, was every body's share.
 Mrs. Wagner is old. She says so. But she says it with a smile. "lNo worked hard all my life, ana I'm not going to stop working at this age she says.
 She is not a faddist. Special diets of sliced cucumbers, lettuce and spinach with the broth from a few boiled carrots don't bother her. The only way 10 grow up strong and ItdllllS anu llN IO q llP' Oiu ooC is 10 stay up late at night, get Up early in the morning, work hard all day and eat anything you like. That's what l do,' she says. "I was left a widow, without a dollar, with six children. when l was 31 years old and l never had time 70 he fussy l had to work wherever l could get work. l helped new ba- bies come into the world and wash ed for them as they grew up and helped lay their elders out when they died. Work never scared me. l raised my family of six children hy hard work Eat? l eat any thing I want to. I don't have any use for special diets. If it agrees with me and l like it, ] eat it. ] don't have any faith in that saying about early 10 bed and early 10 rise either. l stay up late at night but l get up early in the morning.
 'Housew work? Oh. yes, l do my share. The younger folks don want me too, they think I'm too old. But I'm not too old 10 work yet. Anyhow l cooked the turkey.'
 Mrs. Wagner was born in Ger many. July 2S, lS49. She came 10 this country with her parents when she was three years old.
 The family settled in South hington In 1867 Mrs. Wagner, who was Mary Bonner, became the bride of George Wagner MT. Wagner died B years after their marrieg leaving q practically penniless widow with six small. children. Life was hard struggle. Only hard work and plen- ty of it kept the family together. But the widow was> of d generation which thrived on hard work and plenty of it.
 FortytWo years ago she removed 10 the Arch street home where she has resided ever since.
 The festivities yesterday included reunion of her entire family. All her children, including Miss Mary Wagner, William G. Wagner, MT and Mrs. R. J. Newton and Mr. and Mrs. J. c. Andrews of this city were present. Mrs. Newton and Mrs. An- drews are daughters. Mrs. T. M. Her tin of Milford. another daughter, and Mrs. H. H. Petry of Newark, N. J., also a daughter, with their hus- bands attended the reunion. Mrs Cherlin Baldwin of Milford. a gran daughter. two great grandchildren. and sister, Mrs. Ernest Henning of New Haven were numbered among those present
 The hostess received many gifts mostly of money and flowers. Nu- merous friends dropped in through out the day to pay their respects while many cards were received Saturday and today.
 Come back 10 years from now, and be my guest. I'm going 10 cook another turkey dinner" she said, as her interviewer left.