At 91, Mike Sitter, of Granville, still doesn't want to slow down. He stays active with social and physical activities nearly every day of the week.
"I always enjoyed being around, doing this and that. I was never too much for sitting down. My name may be Sitter but I don't sit down too much," Sitter joked.
As a part of his activity routine, he visits the Senior Center for an early meal and visiting three times a week. Later in the afternoon, he'll have coffee and play cards.
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Mike Sitter, of Granville, visits Trinity Health’s cardiac rehab center in Minot during the week.
Katina Tengesdal/MDN
He also enjoys dancing. He belongs to the Polkateers, a group that performs for nursing and assisted living homes every few months.
"With the Polkateers, we do that every now and then. We have a regular band that plays for us. The residents like to get out and dance with us, and they all enjoy it," Sitter said.
His other physical activity pursuit includes regular visits to Trinity Health's cardiac rehab. He began that after undergoing a heart surgery in 2006, and still continues even after a recent knee replacement.
"It is so important to stay active. I'm going to stay active as long as I'm able to. I would encourage anybody to get out, if they haven't got the exercise stuff at home, to go out to places where there is exercising. It's always easier to do when there are other people there doing the same thing," Sitter said.
For Sitter, his high activity levels have been lifelong. He started out in farming near Granville, eventually getting into various laboring jobs including carpentry, iron work and maintenance work. He also continued social pursuits whenever he was able.
"I have always liked to go dancing and to parties, and visiting. I enjoy that. I love to play cards, too, and going to card parties," Sitter said.
"I've had a joyful life. There have been some rocks in it, up and down, but we made it through," he added.