OKEECHOBEE -- Arriving on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, Mable Spangler celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday, Feb. 3 with a birthday bash. The party was held at the Pier II Conference Center at 1 p.m.

Friend and neighbor Larry Davis chauffeured her on his three-wheel Harley. Spangler's daughter Connie said Davis gave her a ride around the Summer Breeze park where they live on his bike last year, and this year convinced her to take a longer ride. 

Connie said everyone was surprised she was willing to take the ride, because she is very particular about her appearance, and never leaves the house without fixing her hair. As a matter of fact, she has a standing appointment at The Grooming Spot every week to get her hair and nails done.

Originally hailing from Ohio, Spangler is not your average 100-year-old. "My mom is still sharp as a tack," said Connie. "She reads two books every single day." She especially enjoys romance novels, some of her favorite authors are Debbie Macomber and Nora Roberts.

Connie has been coming to Florida for many years and about eight years ago, convinced her mom to come with her. "Now she's hooked," said Connie. "We used to drive, and I think she'd still prefer it, but flying is so much easier and faster." Three years ago, was Spangler's first ever trip on an airplane.

Although Spangler rode on a motorcycle, Connie said her mom was never the adventerous type. A stay-at-home mom, she raised two daughters and one son and never even had a drivers' license.

Surrounded by about 50 friends and family, some local and some coming all the way from Ohio, she enjoyed conversation, cake and refreshments.