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Grand Forks, N.D. (AP) When you ask Mary Schumacher the secret to a long life, she answers: "moderation in all things," or "hard work." The Grand Forks woman is celebrating her 111th birthday.

Her family planned a quiet celebration this week. Mary was seriously ill with pneumonia a couple of months ago, and she has trouble hearing.

She lives at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks and shares a dining table with her niece, Teresa Von Reuden, who's 104. Her husband died almost 30 years ago.

Mary Schumacher and her late twin brother, Joseph, were the youngest of 12 children of Mary and John Ackerman. They grew up on a farm two miles west of Reynolds, in Traill County.

Thinking back, Mary says, "it didn't matter if we didn't have so much back then, because we didn't know about the things we didn't have." Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-28-09 0530CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list