Candor woman celebrates 105th birthday

The year 1913 was a memorable year in U.S. history. The first moving assembly line was introduced by the Ford Motor Company, and then a fun fact, the first prize was inserted into a Cracker Jack box. 

Two other notable mentions from 1913 include the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, which brought together thousands of Civil War veterans for a reunion, and one event that helped advance women’s suffrage in the U.S., a Suffrage Parade was held the day before President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.

For Candor, N.Y. resident Elvina Bastain, 1913 was also the year of her birth. On March 12, Elvina celebrated her 105th birthday. When asked about her age, Elvina commented that she doesn’t give it much thought, and at times, thinks her family is joking when they tell her how old she is.

Regarding headlines in today’s news, Elvina said she prefers not to pay much attention to it.

Although, Elvina did offer her opinion on the subject of guns, saying that she feels strongly that people who want guns should have them, as long as they are capable of handling them for the right purposes.

Elvina added, “There is always a few bad apples in a barrel, but you don’t punish everyone for the mistakes of a few.”

Born in Van Etten, Elvina and her husband, Clifford, settled in Candor after purchasing a 33-acre dairy farm for $700 in 1936, and where, during the first year, one cow, a few chickens and a pig sustained their daily living. Clifford passed away in 1982, yet the farm stayed active for several years.

For 27 years, Elvina worked at Morse Chain / Borg Warner. A machine operator producing industrial products and automobile timing chains, Elvina first walked through the doors in 1948. Even though she had a chance to transfer to first shift, she said she didn’t like getting up early and preferred second shift because it had less hustle and bustle. Family members followed in her footsteps and also worked at the company.

Elvina traces her ancestry back to Switzerland and is particularly proud of one family member. Elvina’s grandfather, Peter Cart, came to Tioga County in 1860, along with his wife Louisa and son, Harry. Louisa’s father, Henri Marindin, was educated at the Owego Academy from 1860-1863, and then in 1897 was appointed by then President McKinley to represent a Coast and Geodetic Survey (today known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for the Mississippi River Commission. Marindin, well respected for his scientific studies related to conditions of the oceans and atmosphere, had a ship named in his honor that served in various capacities for 25 years.

Elvina likes to reminisce about the past. She recalled rationing of food, sugar, coffee and gas during the World War II years, as well as clear memories of practicing air raid drills.

While growing up, Elvina said her family did not have a lot of fancy things but was happy nonetheless, and believes that kids today are given too much. Elvina filled her younger days by reading books like “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and others authored by Zane Grey.  

Elvina holds fond memories of visiting her grandparents, and remembers that they made their own maple syrup, butter and cottage cheese. She recalls never having much bread, and instead ate homemade buttermilk pancakes as a daily meal, which were often spread with peanut butter or brown sugar, and then rolled up to eat. She said she enjoyed this snack on many occasions while riding back home in a surrey.

Today, Elvina lives with her daughter, Joyce Relyea, and is doing fairly well, although a more recent bout with pneumonia had bedridden her. Two friendly cats bring her happiness, as does watching wildlife from her bedroom window.

Great-granddaughter Tonya Eiklor commented that there have been occasions when she has shown an item to Elvina that she had purchased, and when she shares the cost, Elvina has replied, “What? Are they trying to get rich? That item is not worth that price!”

Living more simply is an attribute for Elvina’s long life, and as she says, “Going without new-fangled gadgets.” She also skips turning on the television, but back a few decades ago she enjoyed watching western movies, along with a popular show from the 1970’s, Kojak.  

When asked about the overall secret to longevity, Elvina replied, “No smoking or drinking, and never overstuff yourself, just take small portions of food.”

She does, however, enjoy desserts, her favorites being peanut butter fudge, strawberry and raspberry shortcake, and peach pie. She also looks forward to Christmas cookies each year.

For Elvina’s birthday this year, grandson Dean Relyea and granddaughter-in-law, Bette, purchased a cake for her to enjoy.