Good morning, everyone. Well, here we are enjoying another beautiful day in Napa Valley. Life just doesn’t get much better than this.

You must think my needle is stuck, I keep talking so much about keeping fit, exercising and eating right, but I just want you all to feel as on top of the world as I do ... and I know that you can.

I promised to tell you about a success story of a friend of mine who works out at the Napa Valley College gym where I do. Better yet, let’s let Tom tell his own story. Take it away, Tom!

“The senior community here in Napa Valley is growing and has an opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle found nowhere else in the United States. Our climate and access to cultural and entertainment resources contribute to a wonderful environment in which to enjoy our senior years.

“I am a transplant to Napa, having moved here, retired, in 1998. Work as a corporate manager had been satisfying and active. I slowed down enough, though, to put on 30-plus pounds and, although I found a three-day-a-week stint in the visitor center at a local winery challenging and rewarding, my health and energy were slowly deteriorating. Routine medical checkups revealed that my cholesterol was rising and I had become borderline diabetic. My feet hurt and my clothes no longer fit. Travel became less pleasant and although active, my endurance was fading.

“One day the mail included a class catalogue from the Napa Valley College. My companion and I decided to enroll in a class providing guided exercise for seniors meeting three days a week at the college. We enrolled. Monday, Wednesday and Friday we were at that early morning class learning to exercise in appropriate ways using aerobics, weights, floor exercises and movement. The instructors were great. Everyone in the class received both individual and group guidance. Slowly at first the weight started coming off. We enrolled for another semester and the improvement continued. My feet didn’t hurt so much and my cholesterol and blood sugar started to improve. We had more energy and our travel was more enjoyable.

“We felt so much better we enrolled in daily classes and by last fall I had lost 30 pounds and was wearing clothes I hadn’t worn in five years. More weight is coming off slowly, and my doctor and I are delighted. I am eating smaller portions of better, more appropriate foods. We have the energy to do all the things we can find time for and enjoy our travel opportunities even more.

“The Senior Center here in Napa has programs that encourage and guide folks to exercise daily and eat more appropriate foods. There are a variety of health clubs and exercise environments in the community that are also accessible. Senior residence communities often have exercise programs. I am encouraging your readers to take advantage of these community and residence programs and improve their health and vitality by exercising daily and eating appropriate foods. There is so much to enjoy here in Napa Valley. I would like them to miss none of it.”

That’s telling it like it is, Tom Kalbrener, and thanks for sharing.

Next week I’ll tell you about the wonderful instructor Tom refers to. She has recently retired, but she has lots to share with us. Her name is Yoka Zwetsloot and she just set a new world record on the bench press with a 95.9 pound effort in the 68- to 74-year-old women’s division.

OK, let’s go from beautiful body to beautiful brain.

I recently received this news concerning the Emeritus College fall classes at Napa Valley College from Betty Malmgren, who is with the community relations department at NVC. I think we’ve talked about these classes in the past, but it bears repeating. The programs are designed to assist participants to learn and grow and are not for academic credit. These classes are held at the Upper Valley Campus in St. Helena. I’ve only enough space to mention a couple, but you can check the complete schedule out at www.napavalley.edu or call 967-2901.

• “Spirituality and Healing” from the perspective of a variety of religious traditions. Dr. James Preston, instructor from 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 11.

Dr. Arlene Taylor will present, “Your Brain — A Three Part Series” from 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 12, 19, and 26.

Well, that’s about it for this week. Put on some music and dance around the house. It’s fun. No one’s watching and it’ll make you feel good. For sure you should be taking nice, long walks while we still have this lovely weather to enjoy. See you soon and take good care of yourselves.

Betty can be reached at bettyrrhodes@sbcglobal.net.