Alva Kaalund (pictured above)
Retired actress and literacy-program manager

Did you go to prom when you were in school?
Yes. My first boyfriend left me high and dry just before it, and another guy took me. It’s still embarrassing, but my parents asked his parents.

What do you remember about that night?
It was at the Waldorf Astoria. Everybody was dressed so sophisticated, and I was dressed in a Cinderella gown. Then we went to the Copacabana, where Johnny Mathis was entertaining.

You mentioned you used to perform as well?
I did theater at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Apollo. The show at the Apollo was an anthology of poetry. There was music and singing, but we were dressed in gowns and tuxedos and then did militant poetry. People were surprised. The lights turned off and African drums were beating.

Mary Holmes

Retired secretary

How do you like to spend your time?

I go to all the activities: bingo, Uno night. They got a new version of Uno I don’t understand. But it’s fun. I won the first game on Tuesday.

Lester Strong

Retired writer

John Radice

Retired restaurant worker

Tell me about what you did before you retired.

I used to work at an Italian restaurant and help my uncle. Sinatra’s playing right now. Can I go back to the dance floor to listen to that record?

Dana Robinson

Retired homemaker

Yuk Wong

Retired homemaker

Francisco Perez

Retired reporter

Cecilia Ferreiro

Retired paralegal

Zulema Ferrer

Retired NYC Department of Transportation secretary

Rosa Caro

Retired factory worker

Gloria Rozmus

Retired salesperson

Vera Olichney

Retired New York State program manager

Lilian Hall

Retired housekeeper

I heard you have a birthday coming up.

I’m turning 103 in a few weeks. These days, I’m concerned about artificial intelligence. Everything is going to be automatic. After a while, people won’t need to program it. It’s scary because during my time I remember the horse and buggy.

Photographs by Frankie Alduino

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If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the October 5, 2026, issue of
New York Magazine.

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If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the October 5, 2026, issue of
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