In Transylvania County, Hal Kelton will be celebrating his 100th birthday later this year. Born in  Pittsburgh, PA on November 30, 1926, Hal lived through the Great Depression and recalls the  hobo camps and individuals going door-to-door asking for work during that era. He served in the Army during WWII and visited Okinawa after the atomic bomb was dropped. After the war, Hal became a Federal Probation Officer, married and raised a family of three children before retiring  at age 55. He and his wife moved to the quiet beach town of New Smyrna Beach, FL in 1987.  After losing his wife, Hal eventually moved to Brevard, NC in 2020 to live with his daughter. In looking back, Hal remarked, “It amazes me that I’ve lived so long – it feels like several lifetimes!” 

As he approaches turning 100 years old later this year, Hal Kelton says the adventure isn’t over. He loves to travel with his daughter Amy and has been to Tahiti, Hawaii, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, Sweden, Poland, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Panama, and Mexico. Last  September, he flew to Paris, France where he attended the ballet at the Palais Garnier. When  he’s home, Hal spends his time exercising at the Silvermont Senior Center and dabbling with  wood carving, woodwork, and watercolor painting. His artwork is inspired by his travels.  

When asked what his secret to growing old was, Hal provided the following advice: 

• Keep active and don’t just sit around 

• Develop outside interests other than your work 

• Adopt a pattern of life that suits you and keeps you interested 

• A lot of luck!