On Jan. 1 Stella Mackay of New Lenox celebrates her 100th birthday. In the hours after the midnight rush of horns blowing and champagne glasses clinking to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," Mackay family members are planning a calmer celebration. They'll be singing a simple "Happy Birthday."  

The New Lenox Patriot reports that the family—all five generations—including two children, five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren are coming together for a monumental family moment. Read here about Mackay's history and upcoming party.

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Mackay was born before World War I started; when horse-drawn buggies were common; vaudeville was popular and George Gershwin was breaking ground with musicals.  She has tucked in her memory two world wars, the mass production of cars, the coming of age for cinema and man walking on the moon.

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