Keeping up with the news Fred Humes faithfully reads the newspapers, paying special attention to the stock market reports. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Fred Humes has been retired half his life.

He retired when he was 50, and now he's 100 almost. He'll reach that milestone on Aug. 21.

Fred had two sisters and the family lived on a farm near Cutler. One of his earliest memories is holding the reins in a small wagon pulled by a team of goats.

His family moved to Kokomo and he attended Kokomo High School.

A landmark in his life was when he married Maxine Mummert in 1929.

"You could get five gallons of gasoline for $1 then, and a loaf of bread for a nickel," he said. "Hogs sold for 8 cents a pound, and farm land sold for $100 an acre."

"Thirty or 31 banks closed. It was a tough time for everyone."

After starting out farming, he and his wife moved to Flora in 1934. He operated a Case Implement business in Flora for 25 years. The business relocated a time or two, but Fred said it ended up on the corner where the Pizza King is now.

He said he can remember selling tractors for $800, combines for around $600, and corn pickers for $400.

Always pink petunias Just as sure as April showers bring May flowers, Fred Humes will have pink petunias in his flower boxes. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Dick N. B i s h o p recalls Fred's implement business.

"In those days, Fred went around to the farmers to see if they needed anything," Dick said. "He took good care of his customers."

"After I retired, we traveled," Fred said. He and his wife took six cruises and visited 21 countries.

"My favorite was Hong Kong," he said.

Fred and Maxine were married 70 years when she died in 1999. They were always known for their well-manicured lawn and their flower boxes with pink petunias. Fred still lives in the same house, and still has a well-kept lawn, although now he hires it done. Maxine always liked the pink petunias, so he continues that tradition every year.

Fred was active in the community. He was a charter member of the Flora Community Club and a charter member of Flora Rotary Club. He served on the Welfare Board and Alcoholic Beverage Board, and was a volunteer fireman for four years. His wife was active in the Flora First Christian Church, and Fred is still a friend of the church.

"I've had a good life," he said. "People have been awful good to me."

Fred said Bob and Regina Beckner deserve a lot of credit.

"I couldn't stay in my house if it weren't for them," he said. Regina is Fred's caretaker, and Bob takes care of Fred's car. The car needs to be maintained because Fred still drives around town and for short distances.

He still does some of his own cooking, too.

"Bob says Fred makes the best chili there is," Regina said. "He also makes good cranberry salad."

"If I get hungry for something, I make it," Fred said.

His favorite restaurant is the Holly Hock in Indianapolis.

"We went there about every week after church," he said. They especially liked the restaurant's fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

"I've taken a lot of people there," Fred said.

The Beckners and Martin and Jeanette Rinehart took Fred to the Holly Hock for his 99th birthday, and they plan to do the same for his 100th.

When Fred was asked what he has done to live such a long life, he had to stop and think about it.

"I try to drink one glass of orange juice every morning and have some fruit every day," he said. "For a long, long time, I had a shot of whiskey in a glass of Coke every day, but now it interferes with my medication. It's been 15 years since I smoked. I was a heavy smoker when I quit."

"My eyesight's good, but my hearing's not too good," he continued.

He reads two newspapers, including the fine print stock market reports.

He also likes to watch TV, but he doesn't have any favorite shows.

"I like to sit here and watch the stock market news," he said.

Regina said Fred still manages his own finances.

"He can sit here and push a pencil and make more money than most people," she said.

Denny Davis said he's only known Fred for the last four or five years, but he likes to stop by and visit with him.

"We talk about the stock market and the state of the world," Denny said. "He's got a lot of knowledge, and he likes to argue a little bit."

"If he goes to town, he dresses up - puts on a tie."

"He's an astute, dapper, old gentleman."

Bill Witter said he's known Fred for 40 or 45 years.

"He's sharp," Bill said. "His mind is as good as it ever was."

Berdena Teel said Fred was a close friend of her late husband, Arnold.

"Fred is a good and honest man. He'll tell you like it is. That's what I like about him."

True to his honest nature, Fred said being 100 isn't so great.

"You see things to do and can't do it yourself," he said.

That's why he's especially grateful for a little help from his friends.

Birthday Open House Fred Humes of Flora will be honored with an open house to commemorate his 100th birthday. It will be Aug. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Boy Scout Cabin at Flora Community Park (corner of Main Street and Park Row). All friends and well-wishers are invited.