Nana100 Hopewell 22 — Evelyn “Nana” Brooks waves to friends at the Hopewell Train Station on Saturday. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Evelyn Brooks has a lot to celebrate this month. She received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, she turned 100, and even though her friends and family couldn’t hold a traditional birthday party for her due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her mailbox has been stuffed with birthday cards, her church planned a virtual surprise celebration for her, and a parade of more than 100 vehicles filled with well-wishers visited her to mark her special day.

Brooks, known to family, friends, and the greater Hopewell Valley community simply as “Nana”, held court Saturday afternoon wearing a face mask and sitting on a special plastic protective chair in front of the Hopewell Train Station as people pulled up in their vehicles to wish her a happy birthday and drop off flowers, balloons, and other presents. The celebration featured singing, violins, and more than one four-legged friend in a party hat.

The matriarch of the Brooks family, Nana has 10 children, 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. She has lived in Hopewell Township for more than eight decades, is the oldest member of the Second Calvary Baptist Church in Hopewell, is part of the oral histories project at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, and appears in the book “If These Stones Could Talk” by local historians Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills. She was the first African American student to be a member of her high school marching band, and she later studied piano in Harlem under African American concert pianist Sonoma Talley. She loves reading, tea, crocheting, using her computer, and watching BBC programs.

Brooks spent more than an hour waving and calling out thank you to people who drove by in more than 130 vehicles to see her on Saturday. And as of Saturday night, she has received 217 birthday cards. Her grandchildren’s goal was for her to receive 100 cards to celebrate her centennial birthday.

What does it feel like to be 100 now? “Well, it feels just the same as it did yesterday,” she said with a shrug when asked.

After the parade was over, relatives wanted to know if she was ready to go home. “No!” She shook her head. “I’m ready to hop to it now,” she said. “Put some music on and I’ll show you what I can do.”

Asked what her secret to a long and happy life is, she didn’t pause. “Just be thankful for everything you have,” she said.

Nana100 Hopewell 6 — More than 130 vehicles lined up for celebration of Nana’s 100th birthday. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 12 — One of the many signs made in honor of the birthday of Evelyn “Nana” Brooks. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 2 — The line of vehicles filled with people waiting to wish Evelyn “Nana” Brooks a happy birthday. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 32 — Evelyn “Nana” Brooks with some of her family members. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 27 — Dressed for the party. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 28 — Seeing eye to eye. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 7 — Evelyn “Nana” Brooks. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 1 — Happy 100th birthday! Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 17 — Craig Shofed takes a picture of his grandmother on Saturday. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 20 — Happy 100th Nana. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 3 — Happy. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 13 — Lots of waves for Nana. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 15 — A surprise violin performance. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 16 — Nana enjoys the violin performance. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 18 — You are awesome, Nana! Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 29 — Where’s the cake? Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 21 — Happy Birthday Nana! Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 25 — Nana waves from her plastic bubble chair. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 26 — A present for Nana. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 30 — Watching the party. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 10 — Making noise for Nana. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 19 — Happy Birthday Nana Brooks. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 24 — The rain stopped in time for the celebration. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 4 — Flowers galore for Nana. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 23 — More presents for Nana Brooks. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 5 — Balloons in honor of Nana. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 33 — Family. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Nana100 Hopewell 8 — The celebration was held in front of the Hopewell Train Station. Photo: Rich Hundley III.

Evelyn “Nana” Brooks celebrates her 100th birthday

Krystal Knapp

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.