The residents of Canyon Gate Apartments in Golden know when Antonette (Toni) Velardi is cooking. The scents of garlic and oregano float down the halls as she whips up whatever Italian recipe is on the table for the day — be it pizza, pasta or something involving eggplant.

Lucky for her neighbors, Velardi always shares. She treasures them and consistently offers homemade pastries, visits outside on summer afternoons and walks to the Golden farmer’s market. Velardi is a cook, a social butterfly, a live music lover and a nature enthusiast. And on top of all that, Velardi is 100 years old.