'Trust in the Lord and keep your bowels moving': Sask. senior has sage advice on 109th birthday
For Alma Miller, 108 was a lockdown birthday, but on Wednesday she marked her 109th year with family.
To celebrate the milestone, the former Grade 2 teacher’s daughter LaVonne Graham and Centennial Special Care Home, where Miller lives in Langenburg, planned a parade.
Seventeen cars and a firetruck drove past Miller and her daughter, waving and dropping off cards.
Alma Miller's daughter organized a parade for her 109th birthday. (Kaylyn Whibbs/CTV News)
"It's so heartfelt,” said Carol Schaab, recreation director at the centre. “Last year was a really tough, tough year and she's just shining today."
Graham was happy to be able to celebrate with her mom and a few other family members this year. After the parade, the family was able to gather outdoors for a lunch with Miller's favourite summer sausage.
"For this occasion, we value it because we get to visit catch up on news, of our families and what our children are doing, grandchildren," said Graham.
The milestone is one Miller said comes once in a lifetime. Those close to her say she still has her edge, even with 109 years under her belt.
"Her tenacity and her love for life is just incredible," said Schaab, adding she was the first one to roll a ball down the lane at the new bowling alley in town.
Miller said her secret to a long life may be surprising.
“…Trust in the Lord and keep your bowels moving," she said.
Miller still has a love for chocolate and beer, which her family says may also be part of the secret.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.