Two Holmes County SilverSneakers members sneak into a national top 10

Kevin Lynch, The Daily Record
·2 min read

MECHANIC TWP. — A pair of regulars at SilverSneakers classes at Cheryl's L.I.F.E Fitness studio on state Route 83 and Kinetics Fitness for Life on Glen Drive in Millersburg have been recognized as top 10 finalists in the 2022 member of the year contest.

Mary Bridenthal was a finalist for the 2022 Silver Sneakers Member of the Year.
Mary Bridenthal was a finalist for the 2022 Silver Sneakers Member of the Year.

Instructor and fitness studio owner Cheryl Seabright and partner Pomerene Hospital's Kinetics Fitness for Life representative Shianne Minekime presented the awards to Betty McNutt and Mary Bridenthal at a luncheon Friday.

Betty McNutt was a national finalist for the 2022 Silver Sneaker Member of the Year.
Betty McNutt was a national finalist for the 2022 Silver Sneaker Member of the Year.

McNutt and Bridenthal are SilverSneaker class members who not only make an impact at the exercise classes for seniors, but also are active in the Holmes County community.

SilverSneakers is a community fitness program for older Americans, with more than 15,000 locations across the nation, from national gyms to local community centers.

"It is quite an accomplishment for Holmes County to have two members competing for this award from all across the country," class member Mary Jo Miller said.

More: Holmes County trio earns national recognition from SilverSneakers fitness program

A fun way to stay active, no joke

Bridenthal said through the grace of God and SilverSneakers, she is up and walking and balancing now.

McNutt said any of the members could be up there receiving the same award.

"You all do what you're supposed to do in SilverSneakers and we all have a lot of fun," McNutt said, who, according to other class members, is considered the class clown and helps make the classes fun.

"Betty goes to the beat of her own drum, while the rest of us stay together," Seabright said.

Minekime said she got to know Bridenthal well over the past two years.

"She always impresses me," Minekime said. "She is so supportive and encouraging of every person who comes to class. She is definitely a role model and an advocate for a healthy liftestyle."

Welcome with a hug followed by lots of friendly banter

Seabright likened Bridenthal to a great big teddy bear.

"Mary always make you feel welcome," said Arlene Miller. "She'd give everybody a hug at our church if they would allow her to."

"I know Betty is a real nut," Lee Weigand added with a laugh. "If she hugged everybody, you'd have to check your pockets."

Classmate Carol Klepatzki pointed out that is the kind of friendly banter they share amongst in the SilverSneakers program.

Seabright said she has known McNutt for a long time. She is a former physical education teacher and is a jokester who is fun to be around, she said.

"It is a great honor to present to you this award," Seabright said.

The SilverSneaker program was founded in 1992 and is available to more than 16 million Medicare beneficiaries through many Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement carriers and group retiree plans. For information and eligibility requirements, check SilverSneakers.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Two Holmes County SilverSneakers members sneak into national top 10