What are you doing inside the house reading this newspaper?

Get up. Carry this newspaper with you. Grab a lawn chair. Go outside.

Walk (if you can) to a spot along Bridge Avenue or Fountain Street. Unfold your lawn chair.

Sit and continue reading your newspaper while you wait for the Third of July Parade to march by this evening.

This is the sort of community event that the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project people say is healthy for people to be apart of, whether it is being in the parade or watching it. The important thing is we as a community are engaging in social activity.

Why? Because research indicates it is healthy for you.

Don’t be a couch potato. Don’t be a hermit. Be a part of your community. Albert Lea really is a great place to live.