Former President Carter and wife Rosalynn are shown on a walk in their hometown of Plains, Georgia. (Matt McClain/Washington Post via Getty Images/File)
Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter turned 100 years old on Tuesday, making him the first U.S. president to live for an entire century.
Carter, the 39th president, has been known for several “firsts.” He was the first U.S. president born in a hospital, the first Naval Academy graduate to become president, and the first president to visit Sub-Saharan Africa officially. Now, he holds the record as the first U.S. president to reach 100.
Carter is currently receiving home hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he has lived since his presidency ended in 1981. He has been in hospice care for nearly two years. Sadly, his wife, Rosalynn, passed away last year at the age of 96.
Jill Stuckey, a family friend of the Carters for over 30 years and the superintendent of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park, said, “It’s funny, President Carter has done so much and usually succeeds at everything. But the one thing he hasn’t been great at is hospice.” She added, “He just keeps living, and we’re so happy about that. So if he’s not good at something, we’re glad it’s hospice.”
When asked what makes Carter different from other presidents who lived to an old age, Stuckey said it was his “tenacity” — his determination and will to keep going.
Jill Stuckey told Fox News Digital that Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter always wanted to live as long as possible and stay healthy so they could help as many people as they could. She said they ate healthy meals, exercised every day, and worked hard to take care of themselves so they could keep helping others. “That’s what President Carter is showing today — that all those efforts really make a difference.”
The White House also put up a birthday message for Carter on the North Lawn to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Jill Stuckey said that celebrations for Carter’s 100th birthday started on Saturday in Plains, when the town held its annual peanut festival. “We celebrate peanut harvest season here in Plains, and it happens around the same time as President Carter’s birthday every year, so we usually celebrate them together,” she said.
Jill Stuckey also mentioned that on Tuesday, for Carter’s birthday, there will be more events in Plains, including a ceremony at Plains High School where 100 new citizens will take the oath. This is special because both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter went to that school.
After the ceremony, there will be a flyover to honor former President Carter, organized with help from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. Later in the afternoon, Plains will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new statues dedicated to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
In celebration of Carter’s birthday, volunteers in St. Paul, Minnesota, came together to build 30 new homes over five days. Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood were among the participants.
“You’re one of the most influential statesmen in our history,” President Biden said in a video released ahead of Carter’s birthday on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, Grand Ole Opry member and country music legend Charlie McCoy played a special rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” to honor the former president.
Cathie Skoog, a former member of the White House Communications Agency, said, “I remember the first time I saw him, and I was in awe. That feeling has always stayed with me. You can meet presidents all the time, but the first time is always the most special.” She added, “He didn’t care what people thought. He just did what he believed was right for the country.”
During his time as president, Carter focused on protecting the environment, improving human rights, and making the American education system better. He made big changes, like updating the civil service system, opening up the airline industry to more competition, and creating the Energy and Education departments. He also helped make cars safer by requiring both seat belts and airbags.
Carter’s time as president also had its challenges. There was high inflation, an energy crisis, and failed efforts to free American hostages who were held in Iran. His Secretary of State, Cyrus Vance, eventually resigned because he disagreed with how the administration handled the hostage situation.
During the Iranian Revolution, oil prices in the U.S. went up sharply. In July 1979, President Carter gave a speech where he said Americans were losing confidence in the country because of rising inflation and the energy crisis.
He said, “The signs of this crisis of spirit are everywhere. For the first time, most Americans think the next five years will be worse than the last. Two-thirds of people don’t even vote. Workers are less productive, and Americans are saving less than people in other Western countries.”
Carter added, “We need to face the truth, and then we can change direction. We must believe in each other, believe we can govern ourselves, and have faith in the future. Restoring that faith is our most important job now.”
A Nostalgic Kitchen Gadget with Lasting Appeal
Past Events
An inexpensive yet necessary kitchen equipment that has been around since the 19th century is the citrus peeler. With the increasing availability and popularity of citrus fruits, especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s, people started looking for an easy way to peel them. The thick rinds of oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits were easily sliced through by the early citrus peelers, which were frequently constructed of metal and had sharp hooks or blades.
As home cooking became more common around the middle of the 20th century, citrus peelers’ appearance changed. Plastic peelers were first produced by companies such as Tupperware, which gained popularity because to its robustness and user-friendliness. These peelers were more comfortable to hold since they frequently had ergonomic features. These retro peelers’ simplified, vibrant shapes became famous, capturing the inventiveness and optimism of the post-war period.
Application
The main purpose of a citrus peeler is to remove the outer rind of citrus fruits without contaminating the inner flesh. Conventional peelers frequently feature a small blade or pointed end that slices the skin, enabling sectional skin removal. A spoon-like end that lifts the peel away from the fruit is another feature on some peelers.
Citrus peelers have evolved into useful instruments over time. Although they are most frequently used to peel oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, they can also be used to peel other fruits and vegetables with comparable skins, make garnishes, and zest citrus for cooking. Professional chefs and family cooks alike love citrus peelers for their effectiveness and simplicity of use.
History
The durability and ease of use of the citrus peeler have left a lasting legacy. Old citrus peelers, particularly those from the middle of the 20th century, are now sought-after collectibles because of their nostalgic appearance and usefulness. These tools bring back memories of a bygone era when kitchen appliances were made to last and combined design and function in a way that contemporary products frequently try to imitate.
Even with the availability of contemporary kitchen appliances and peelers, the traditional style of the vintage citrus peeler is still in demand. This classic tool is still in use in kitchens all across the world, demonstrating the enduring appeal of well-designed tools. Old citrus peelers are a treasured element of culinary history, valued by collectors and foodies for their unique combination of elegance, history, and utility.
Last Words
It’s astounding to consider the lengthy and fascinating history of something as basic as a citrus peeler. These tiny gadgets, preserved by their classic style and usefulness, are more than just kitchen equipment; they are relics from our culinary history. Thus, the next time you discover one in your drawer, consider it more than simply a piece of metal or plastic—consider it a piece of history that is continuing to function, one orange peel at a time.
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