There was a birthday party held Sept. 1 at the Village at Willow Lane in Macungie, and not just any birthday party. Over 75 friends and family of Miriam Leeser gathered to help celebrate her 100th birthday with a luncheon, cake and warm wishes.

Leeser was one of seven children and grew up in the village of Huff's Church in Hereford Township, Berks County, which is where she also attended classes at their one room schoolhouse. Her father and mother, Alfred and Edna Stauffer, started Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa. where she was inducted into their Walk of Fame in 2006 and currently is still on the raceway's board of directors.

She lived her entire adult life in Macungie where she was self-employed as a beautician. She raised three sons John, Barrie and Phillip and has two grandchildren, Michael and Jaimie and two great-grandchildren, Willa and Esther.

She received many birthday letters, cards and wishes but a few she was most excited about came from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey and country singer Julie Roberts.