So what if Jack LaLanne didn’t want to go four rounds? Roland Fortin’s challenge reverberated across the country.

“I keep getting calls from Ohio, Washington, Toronto,” Fortin, 91, said from his winter home in Florida. “We were on MSNBC yesterday.”

Fortin, of Lewiston, tossed out the boxing challenge in a half-page ad for Tropical Gym in Pompano Beach that ran on Super Bowl Sunday. He’s in excellent shape, working out an hour a day. He bikes and lifts up to 200 pounds.

LaLanne immediately declined the challenge. Fortin is still proud that the attention has inspired older people to get active. Tropical Gym has had 74 new over-50s take out memberships. Before this past week, the gym was dotted with “all youngsters, people 30 to 35,” he said.

Fortin has, however, told the gym owner, no more interviews. The nation’s going to have to let him exercise in peace.

That’s almost too bad, because an 86-year-old Plymouth, N.H., woman has offered a challenge of her own to Fortin: a verbal sparing match.

And, to make up for the age differential, she’d do it with one hand tied behind her back.

Macy Morse said she feels it’s important to stay active in mind and body. The longtime political activist was in court this week contesting fines and jail time that stemmed from a trespassing charge. (She took part in a sit-in at a former New Hampshire congressman’s office.)

Her son told her about Fortin after he read an AP story. She’ll debate anyone on about any issue, but “I’d like to help pick the topic,” Morse said.

– Kathryn Skelton

Angus, au naturel (no, not him)

Gritty’s brew pub is rolling out a new menu item that could make the competition green with envy.

In partnership with Wolfe Neck Farms, Gritty’s is introducing an all-natural Angus beef burger made from the happy herds in Freeport. Wolfe Neck cattle aren’t treated with antibiotics or growth hormones, or fed with animal by-products. The cows are raised in humane, stress-free environments.

“This plays right into the ‘green movement’ and our customers’ request for more natural products,” said pub owner Richard Pfeffer in a release.

The offering also completes a cycle between cow and brew master. Several tons of spent grain from the brewing process are picked up by Wolfe Neck employees every month and fed to the cattle. The combination of barley malt and wheat gets added to the animals’ feed rather than being thrown away.

“We feed the cows and they feed us,” said Ed Stebbins, Gritty’s brew master.

Customers anxious to sample this cycle-of-life burger have to wait until March 20. Then they’re green to go.

– Carol Coultas

Rolling on the lawn

One year after braving rooftop snipers to perform for children at the White House, Jason and Matthew Tardy of Buckfield plan to return to the world’s most famous residence.

The brothers and Oddfellow Theater owner Michael Miclon are scheduled to be among the featured performers April 9 at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn.

Last year, the highlight was meeting Mister McFeely from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, said Jason Tardy, who even coaxed a “speedy delivery” from the aging performer.

This year, the highlight is the chance for all three men to perform together as Fusion.

“Mike was our mentor,” Tardy said. “He’s performed solo there. Matt and I have been. But we never did this together.”

And would it be a thrill to perform for the president?

It’s unlikely Bush would catch the act.

“He’s there for a split second, and that’s about it,” Tardy said.

– Daniel Hartill

Homeward bound

For a while, Oscar, an 11-month-old great Pyrenees/mastiff mix, was the only dog left unadopted after the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society moved. A big, goofy dog who loves people, he spent a lot of his time watching for visitors and barking whenever anyone wandered by.

Now he has a home of his own.

A few days after the Sun Journal mentioned Oscar in a story about the new shelter, a family adopted him. Oscar will also get a playmate – the family has another dog.

– Lindsay Tice