Solemates: Exercise and friendship one step at a time
Published 7:30 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2026
The Mercer Island Solemates walk in the Summer Celebration parade on July 11. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo
Fran Call and her Solemates walking and social group were elated to participate once again in the city of Mercer Island’s Summer Celebration downtown parade on July 11
About an hour before event time, the members gathered outside at Metropolitan Market to map out their game plan and have coffee while they chatted, smiled and gave each other an abundance of hugs
Donning their signature light blue shirts and colorful beads, the Solemates — with many of them in their 80s — soon hit the street, handed out candy to parade-goers and received heaps of cheers along the route. This was clearly another key walking journey for the Solemates, who meet up for three-mile walks on Wednesdays on the Island and throughout other cities
“I found a need for seniors to recreate and socialize. Our activities go far beyond walking, as they include trips, even overnights, to the symphony, theater, hikes, kayaking, inner-tubing, as well as parties and celebrations,” said Call, 86, the Solemates founder. “It’s all about opportunity. Present it, and they will take advantage of it. We raise our (heart rate) and our spirits.”
Call, who taught school on Mercer Island for 32 years, formerly led high school students on cross-country bike trips as far as Washington, D.C
Presently, there are approximately 80 active women and men Solemates. According to a previous Reporter story, the dedicated community volunteers spend time at the holiday tree lot and are involved with tiny homes. Members also organize drives and donations for the emergency assistance programs, thrift shop and school supplies
When the Solemates received the Philanthropy Award at the 2024 Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation’s fundraising breakfast, Friendship Circle Executive Officer and presenter Sari Weiss exclaimed that the group with members age 55 and up exude camaraderie, encouragement, motivation, heart, community and soul (or “sole”)
Marcia Zervis, 85, provided a rundown of what attracted her to Solemates: “You get exercise. You get community. You get friendship. You get, ‘I’ll be there for you no matter what.’ You get up every Wednesday morning and you get dressed — rain, shine, and you go.”
Edie Warner, 79, said she’s met many interesting people during her Solemates walks over the last 12 years
When Ingrid Delaittre, 79, worked on Mercer Island, she’d see the Solemates walking around town. When she retired, she wanted to join them on their walks and talks
“I made some really good friendships here with close friends. And then every time you come, there’s always new people sometime, and you meet new people. It’s just the exercise and the friendship,” she said
Added Jeannie Adams, 65: “I absolutely love this beautiful community of seniors who are positive and active and just living their best life.”
Exercise is an important part of the close-knit seniors’ lives, said Linda Nicholl, 82, adding that, “I don’t think anybody ever walks with the same person during the whole walk. We usually walk with three or four people, and so we’ve gotten to know each other very well.”
Solemates members are like sisters to Bev Spiegelberg, 82, who noted: “All the wonderful Solemate friends I have made along the way, with the many fun Solemate activities, have made my retirement years more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined. Thank you, Fran and Solemate friends.”
