By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Turning 100 years old doesn't make her feel any different.
Anna Olach Hartman of Galien, who was originally from Niles, is turning 100 on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Hartman lived for nearly 60 years at her house on Oak Street before moving to the Four Flags Plaza. But when her macular degeneration set in, she moved in with her nephew, Tom Doyle, and his wife, Lesta.
She is the daughter of Emerick and Marie Olach who moved to the Niles area from northern Michigan.
Hartman's father passed away when she was young. Her mother raised her and her nine siblings as a single parent with little help from others.
In 1948, Hartman married Wilbur Hartman of Berrien Center. He was a World War I veteran. The couple had two children, James, who has passed away, and Mary Jo, who resides in a nursing home in Berrien Center.
Hartman said that everything in today's world is far different than when she was growing up.
She explained she finds things like computers, lap tops, cell phones and other technologically advanced gadgets strange.
Hartman added that at this point in time of her life she really has nothing to complain about.
True she can't just jump up and get things done in the way she used to, but at the same time she still is able to do a few things she loves, she said.
She also describes how she remembers downtown Niles before they put up the Kawneer facades and how modern the area looked when the facades were put up.
Hartman said she spent a lot of time in the downtown area of Niles as she worked many years at Harry's Grill and Irene Ford's restaurants.
Hartman also talked about how she wishes she could still go and hitch up her horse and buggy in order to get somewhere. She said one of the toughest things about living in the Galien area is she has a hard time finding transportation to places.
Hartman likes to spend her days with her family and reading Reader's Digest and listening to books on tape. She also crochets, knits, and does crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Once in a while a friend from the Four Flags Plaza will come out to visit, but as people grow older they often find it harder to travel, she said.
Hartman said she also misses getting to interact with those who have something in common with one another.
Hartman said that through out her life she has just taken everyday as it comes and everyone just has to take the bumps which come along the way.
To celebrate her birthday, Hartman's family are inviting family and friends to an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 1101 US 12, in Galien. Refreshments will be served.