Saratoga News

Photograph by Louise Webb

Esther Stevens is a regular in the exercise class at the Saratoga Senior Center.

Esther Stevens serves as exercise class role model

At 101, Saratogan works to stay fit

By Louise Webb

Esther Stevens is 101 and still having fun. She can be found three times each week at the Saratoga Senior Center, where she exercises vigorously in the program's exercise class.

"These classes aren't for sissies," instructor Cindy Teerlink says. "Esther and the rest of the class really work up a sweat."

Esther is also an inspiration for others. Sometimes a few want to give up, but they look over at her kicking high in the air and they continue. "She always comes to class looking very neat with her hair perfectly coifed," Teerlink adds.

Stevens takes additional fitness classes twice a week at the Odd Fellows Home in Saratoga, where she's lived for the past nine years. "Exercise is very good for keeping up my strength and vitality," Stevens says as the aerobics portion of the class concludes. For the stretching portion of the class, the 4-foot, 11-inch Stevens rolls out an exercise mat that is bigger than she is. She has driven herself to class in her l986 Chevy and likes being able to drive.

"It's easier for me to drive to Southern California and other places and not be bothered with planes and buses," Stevens says.

A wisp of a woman, Stevens says she had one of the first Fords when she first learned how to drive.

Life was very different back then, she recalls. She walked to school but sometimes was lucky enough to hitch a ride with her dad in his horse and buggy. He was a Methodist minister in Mountain View.

McDonald's, pizza and frozen food were unheard of when she was growing up. Stevens remembers attending taffy pulls and trading chicken eggs at the store to buy candy.

Although her parents were strict, she says she always admired their values. Dancing wasn't allowed in high school, and her mother went along on dates.

Woodrow Wilson was president when Stevens first became interested in politics. She says, "Politics are a mess now."

Stevens is a former high school teacher who taught for 30 years. She has three sons, ages 68 to 70, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Stevens has outlived three husbands.

This great-grandmother of the '90s has led an active life, traveling around the world and holding membership in several social organizations including Eastern Star, Rebekah and a Garden Club. She attends the Methodist Church in Los Gatos regularly and participates in activities at the Odd Fellows Home.

She longs for the good old days once in awhile, when life was simpler and she had time to smell the roses.

Her health is good. When asked the inevitable question about her secret for her longevity, she answers without hesitation, "No alcohol, no cigarettes." She adds with a twinkle in her eye, "Keep active and enjoy all the things you can. Don't let little things bother you." Then she is off in her Chevy for her next adventure.

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