By Stephanie Petrellese

Helga and Howard Otte How do you live to be 100 years old?

And how did you keep such a beautiful head of natural hair?

Those are two of the most frequent questions Howard Otte of Garden City faces as he continues to go about his daily activities in the Village, more than a month after he celebrated his 100th birthday on April 11.

Sitting comfortably in his living room, Howard simply smiles when asked the secret behind his longevity. Helga, his wife of 32 years, offers some possibilities: his mother lived until the age of 102, so obviously he has a good set of genes; he keeps both his mind and body active, regularly attending Garden City Retired Men's Club meetings, doing crossword puzzles every day and maintaining an impressive coin and stamp collection; and then she adds with a twinkle in her eye, "I think it helps that he's married to me."

Although Helga says it jokingly, her daughter, Nicole Koester of Garden City, couldn't agree more. "I definitely believe that Howard's longevity is due in large part to my mom, and her amazing energy and positive attitude," she said. "She 'dragged' Howard all around the world on trips over the last 30 years, and I think that definitely kept him young at heart. She is very active, busy with charity work for the Children's Medical Fund, playing bridge, going to the pool to swim 40 laps, and I think her energetic disposition rubbed off on Howard, because either he could try to keep up or he would have been left behind!"

Howard Otte blows out the candles on his cake. Helga and Howard were both widows when they met in the early 1970s. Howard lived next door to one of Helga's friends in the Village and she would often see him when she came to visit and play cards. She says she was immediately attracted to his gentle demeanor and his beautiful blue eyes. They eventually started dating; their first date was at Roosevelt Raceway. After several years, marriage followed in 1977.

"My mom and Howard are an amazing couple, and have been a wonderful influence on each other," Nicole said.

What makes their love story unique is that when they married, Helga was 40 with two young children, and Howard was 68. Helga says the age difference was never an issue. Howard did not have children with his first wife, so he became involved in all of her children's activities.

Dick Szczepaniak, Angelo Romano, George Springer and Burt Wallace As the kids got older, Helga and Howard started traveling to places both near and far: Disney World, Niagara Falls, Munich, Spain, Panama Canal, Paris, Greece, Rome, Hawaii and Alaska are just a few. Howard took his last trip overseas when he was 95, where he actually climbed the many steps of the Roman Colosseum. They still take smaller trips, with the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ being among their favorite places to visit at least four times a year. Helga likes to walk along the boardwalk and Howard enjoys playing the slot machines.

Howard worked for a meat company in the city for more than 35 years, eventually becoming the chief finance officer, and retired at age 65. One of the first things he did upon entering retirement was to join the Garden City Retired Men's Club, where the men affectionately started calling him "ol' blue eyes." To the rest of the world, the term is most familiarly associated with the singer Frank Sinatra; to the members of the Retired Men's Club, using the words means you're referring to Howard Otte.

Clare Barbadillo and Monika and Don Thayes "Going to the Retired Men's Club kept Howard's mind sharp as they played poker, bridge and pool every day, and the social aspect kept him in touch with good friends," explained Nicole. "Of course by now, most of the 'originals' are gone, but the 'young' 90-year-olds still take care of him when he comes to the special parties they have."

Joseph Leto, the club's current president, says Howard has been a principal figure at meetings for more than 30 years and was always a strong competitor, whether it was playing a friendly came of bridge or taking the games outside to play horseshoes, shuffleboard or golf.

Double bypass surgery at the age of 70 couldn't keep him from returning to his favorite activities. Unfortunately, it would be an injured rotator cuff when he was 95 that would cause Howard to stop playing sports and driving.

Ron and Terry Clark, Jack Flannery and Dede Hirsch Howard's 100th birthday was celebrated in style as the Men's Club hosted a party for more than 100 of his friends and family at the Pompeii restaurant in West Hempstead on April 14. "The afternoon was warm and friendly," Joseph Leto from the Men's Club said. "The celebrants enjoyed the food, sipped the wine, danced a bit and felt honored to be a part of such a momentous occasion."

Marion and George Cordes and Bruce Littlejohn Frank and Frances Deangelo and Barbara and John Emmert Theresa Siciliano and Cesare and Ermilina Lucano Nancy Plant, Rosemary Brown and Judd Renz Senator Kemp Hannon presented Otte with a resolution from the State Senate. Nancy and John Pastula and Jack and Dolores Graham Win and Bob Eustice, Betty Mccarthy and Norma Takach Marie Thomaidis, Gloria Weinrich and Jackie Radtke Ann Amore, Herb Lataille and Werner and Doris Forster Nicole and Christopher Koester, Tiffany, Gavin, Vienna and Nils Nolan, Howard and Helga Otte, Celeste Grischow and Mary Pallotte Claire Burns, Barbara Hoffman and Evelyn and Joseph Iagrossi George and Nick Basile and Arlyn and George Roth Arline Greco, Joan Cowie and Joan Kiernan Louise and Thomas Butler Maralyn Brennan, who represented Supervisor Kate Murray, presented Otte with a Town of Hempstead citation. Howard Otte and grandchildren Christopher, Gavin and Vienna From left: Jim Donahue, Edward Brown and Pat Concannon Valerie Lemkul, Joseph Leto, Alice Pavis and Edward Palkot Rudy Kaiser and Dick and Dian Kendrick Vincent and Marjorie Prestuly George and Marilyn Rivara and Michele and Jerry Weisburg Tom Wagner and his Music Makers provided great dance and toe-tapping music. Kevin Ocker, chairman of the Village's Cultural and Recreation Commission, presented Otte with a proclamation from Garden City Mayor Robert Rothschild. John and Rose Mirrone