Brenda Berstler has a utopian idea for the village of Cooperstown, and the best part is that it's entirely possible to achieve.

Last March, Berstler had a stroke of inspiration and took a step in the direction of alleviating three local challenges-parking, health and weight. She envisions a walking village, where locals wear pedometers to measure the steps taken alone and collectively, and where tourists enjoy tours that could include businesses and historical lessons on the way.

Now she's got a pedometer on her belt loop, and if she wears a dress, she said, she clips it to her tights so she can keep track of all her steps and meet her goal of 12,000 to 18,000 steps per day. Her energy level is up dramatically, she said, and all areas of her life have been positively affected by the increase in physical activity.

"This project could foster the goal of greater harmony in the village," Berstler said at the first public meeting of the Business Advancement Committee last Wednesday. She is serving on the socio-economic vitality subcommittee, under which the walking projects falls. "This supports Bassett's efforts to increase local cardiac health. It encourages a greater familiarity with the village. There's a social benefit to walking with someone else, and one can only hope that it could distract from the parking issues."

Dr. Allan Green, director of the Bassett Research Institute, agrees wholeheartedly.

"It's a great idea. Anything to get people walking and exercising around here is great," Green said.

Green estimates the number of preventable, premature obesity-related deaths in the United States at around 300,000. After smoking, obesity is the number one preventable killer in the country.

"Walking is great," he said. "You don't have to be in great shape to get started. People are better off slightly overweight and physically active instead of lean and sedentary."

Berstler has already seen the benefits of the program. She lost eight pounds so far, she said. Ten thousand steps a day will maintain cardiac health, she said, and twelve to eighteen thousand will result in weight loss. The use of pedometers will increase accountability for those steps, she said.

"The quality of life is our purpose and point," said Berstler. "This is such a walkable village. If this program doesn't turn us into prime athletes it will certainly contribute to people being more fit."

Margie Landers, co-chair of the Business Advancement Committee, said there's a "certain perceived attitude that you have to walk too far" into the village if you park on a side street. Walking from the parking lot to Macy's and then around a mall is no less a distance, she said, but people don't seem to mind as much.

"If you're blessed with a strong, able body, do it," Landers said. She and Berstler echoed the idea that the parking places in the village should be saved for those who can't walk as easily.

Thor-lo will be handing out socks at Stride With Pride, the kick-off event for the walking program, which will be held on Father's Day, June 16, from 1-4 at Pioneer Park.

"We're really excited about this," said Thor-lo spokesman Rick Mende. "We'd like to increase our own level of involvement as time passes. This is a lifestyle change for people for the better. Walking makes a lot of sense at the individual and the village level, and hopefully at a larger level than that."

Dr. Roberta Reed associate director of research at the Bassett Research Institute will be on hand with a team conducting cardiology screenings, including cholesterol tests.

"Life is a banquet," Berstler said. She's been at the table a few times, as a Jeopardy champion in 1997, and as an undefeated $25,000 Pyramid contestant. Both shows gave her an exotic vacation and great memories. Now, she watches Jeopardy on the treadmill every night as her pedometer counts the steps.

"Walking is a little mini-vacation," she said. "It's a nice little escape. We're social creatures and we need it for our mental health."