Refer a Friend!

Pearce members can earn one month free when they refer a friend to Pearce!

Before & After School Care Offers Daily Rates

Looking for something different for your kids to do after school? Pearce's Before & After School Care program offers daily rates so you can participate only when you need or want to.

The program provides a safe and fun place for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade to go during the before and after school hours. The program is held every day Illinois Valley Central District #321 is in session. Before School care is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. After School care is provided from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program includes homework time, snack time, organized games, physical education, exergaming, and free play.

Bus service for the Before School portion of the program is provided to CEC and South School. Bus service for the After School portion of the program is provided from CEC, South School, and Mossville. St. Edward’s School staff escort students to Pearce after school.

The weekly cost for Before School care is $31.50 for Foundation members; $35 members; and $45 non-members. The daily cost is only $7.87 for Foundation members; $8.75 members; and $11.25 non-members.

The weekly cost for After School care is $63 for Foundation members; $70 members; and $80 non-members. The daily cost is only $15.75 for Foundation members, $17.50 for members; and $20 for non-members.

Santa Claus is Coming to Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host Santa during Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 2 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. A sausage and pancake breakfast will be served along with caroling and a visit with Santa.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. The advance purchase cost is $7 for people 13 and older and $5 for children 3 to 12 years. Tickets purchased at the door will sell for $10 for people 13 and older and $7 for children 3 to 12. Children 3 and under will be admitted free.

Black Friday Fitness Bash

Pearce will host its Black Friday Fitness Bash Friday, November 24 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Skip the shopping crowds and join the dynamic instructors at Pearce to burn off all the extra calories from Thanksgiving.

This special event includes five 30-minute group exercise classes including Step Aerobics from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m., Les Mills BODYPUMP from 9:00 to 9:30; Les Mills BODYATTACK from 9:30 to 10:00; Hip Hop with James from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.; and Zumba from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

The event is free and open to the everyone 15 and older.

Refer a Friend!

Pearce members can earn one month free when they refer a friend to Pearce!

Junior Fitness Certification

Pearce is offering Junior Fit Certification on Wednesday, November 22, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for members ages 13 and 14. After successfully completing the class and receiving certification, young members will be allowed access to the cardiovascular room, Selectorized equipment area, and group exercise classes.

Participants will learn how to use the equipment in a safe, productive manner. Additionally, they will learn fitness etiquette, and rules.

Pearce Foundation members pay only $9; members $12. Advance registration is required.

Youth Basketball Leagues Games Begin Tomorrow!

We are very excited for the start of youth league basketball games tomorrow morning!

Big shout out to Peoria Area Veterinary Group for sponsoring our shirts and TSS Photography for sponsoring one of our courts this session. Their sponsorship helps make the league possible!

Good luck to all our players, and THANK YOU to our volunteer team coaches!

At the Intersection of Art and Water

When you think of water aerobics, you probably don’t associate it with any type of artistic endeavor. Unless you’re an artist like instructor Cathie Crawford.

Cathie teaches Aqua Fit each Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. “I like creating choreography that goes with the music,” says Cathie. “I like moving to the music as opposed to just doing each exercise eight times. I usually have one move or combination of moves for the verses, one for the chorus or refrain and then something different for the bridge or instrumental. The creative part is coming up with the right moves to fit the music. I use a little of everything, from Vivaldi to pop. My routines are seasonal as well. I have play lists for each holiday and season.”

Originally from New York City, Cathie returned to Illinois in the fall of 2004 after living overseas with her husband (three years in Jeddah Saudi Arabia and then three years in Grenoble France). Since completing her Master of Fine Art degree in 1987 from Bradley University, she has concentrated on the color reduction woodcut.

Her work has been included in more than 300 exhibitions, 25 solo exhibitions, 70 juried national shows and 15 international juried exhibitions since completing a BFA from The Ohio State University. Crawford has won over 35 awards at both the national and regional level. Her prints have been exhibited in 28 states as well as France, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.

While in Saudi Arabia, Cathie discovered water aerobics. When she and her husband returned to the US and settled in Peoria, she continued water aerobics classes and met Laura Kelly, a local water aerobics teacher who has taught at Pearce for many years. Laura helped Cathie earn her first water aerobics certifications in 2006, and she’s been teaching in central Illinois ever since.

“Pearce is an excellent facility for water aerobics,” explains Cathie. “Unlike other area fitness centers, I can have music at Pearce and there is plenty of chest-deep water, perfect for the class.” She also enjoys the size of her class. “It’s more fun with more people!”

Cathie’s art is currently on display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. She is also hosting an open house at her home on November 18.

November School's Out Day Camps to the Rescue!

You've got a million things to do to get ready for Thanksgiving and guess what, the kids don't have school the day before the big holiday!

Not to worry, Pearce has got you covered. Maybe you don't typically use our School's Out Day Camp but this might be a great time to try it so you can have the day to get ready for Thanksgiving.

Let your kids spend the day off at Pearce School's Out Day Camp for students in grades K-6 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. Before camp care is also available beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Campers will spend the day enjoying a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, swimming in the pool, and local field trips. Bring a daily sack lunch that does not require refrigeration but can contain microwaveable items and a drink, swimsuit and towel, gym shoes, and a book. An afternoon snack will be provided.

Register in advance at Pearce. Foundation members pay only $31.50 per child per day; Members $35; and non-members $55.

Before & After School Care Offers Daily Rates

Looking for something different for your kids to do after school? Pearce's Before & After School Care program offers daily rates so you can participate only when you need or want to.

The program provides a safe and fun place for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade to go during the before and after school hours. The program is held every day Illinois Valley Central District #321 is in session. Before School care is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. After School care is provided from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program includes homework time, snack time, organized games, physical education, exergaming, and free play.

Bus service for the Before School portion of the program is provided to CEC and South School. Bus service for the After School portion of the program is provided from CEC, South School, and Mossville. St. Edward’s School staff escort students to Pearce after school.

The weekly cost for Before School care is $31.50 for Foundation members; $35 members; and $45 non-members. The daily cost is only $7.87 for Foundation members; $8.75 members; and $11.25 non-members.

The weekly cost for After School care is $63 for Foundation members; $70 members; and $80 non-members. The daily cost is only $15.75 for Foundation members, $17.50 for members; and $20 for non-members.

Why Fitness & Nutrition Changes Can Be So Hard and How to Make it Feel Easier

By Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager, and Megan O'Reilly, AFPA Certified Nutritionist and Wellness Consultant 

If you've ever made a personal goal to lose weight, eat healthier, or exercise more, you probably know that achieving the goal isn't always easy.  If you struggle with getting in more exercise or eating more nutritiously, you are not alone.  Consider these facts. A few years ago, the CDC published a study that reported only 80% of American adults get their recommended aerobic physical activity in each week. Another report states that 76% of adults do not get their recommended servings of fruit per day, and a whopping 87% do not get their recommended servings of vegetables per day. So what is making it so hard for all of us to get enough exercise and healthy foods in?

	Raquel "Rocky" Herron

The answer is two-fold. Number one, knowledge. Do you know how many minutes of exercise the USDA recommends? Do you know how many servings of fruit, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy are recommended for you? If you don't, you won't know what goal to aim for. 

Once you have the knowledge of the changes you need to make, it is still not easy! In fact, the hard part is from over. The second reason why making fitness and nutrition changes is so hard is simple: change, any kind of change, is hard!  

Megan O'Reilly

The biggest mistake we see is often termed the "overhaul mindset."  People want to see big changes, real fast! We plan to overhaul our entire way of eating and exercising all at once, and expect our drastic changes to stick. Reality check:  this does not work! For most of us, the more changes we try to make, the harder it is to stick with them all.  We end up overwhelmed, giving in to our excuses and feeling like a failure. 

To combat this common challenge, strategically plan one small but realistic change at a time. For example, if healthier eating is your goal, focus only on improving your breakfast choices for a few weeks. Once you have made one successful habit change, add another. In this healthy eating example, perhaps your second small change could be to add just one vegetable to your lunch for a few weeks. Let the success of one small change provide momentum for creating and achieving another small goal. As time passes, your small habit changes will stack upon each other to create exactly what you are looking for: REAL, LASTING, SUSTAINABLE changes.  The slower we go, the easier it feels.

One challenge to this moving slow theory is that we all want results, real FAST right NOW. However, if you think about your attempts at exercising or dieting in the past, chances are you can relate to falling victim of the "overhaul mindset."  If it didn't work for you in the past, chances are that it is not going to work for you now.  If you are interested in learning how to make an exercise and eating plan that will work for you, with long term results, come join us Wednesday November 1, 6:30-7:30, at the Chillicothe Public Library. Our free presentation will include the current exercise and nutrition guidelines, tips for overcoming excuses, and suggestions on implementing small changes one at a time. 

Hopefully, one of those small changes will include deciding to exercise, or at least become more consistent with your workouts. To help you with this challenge and to show you what group exercise can do for you, Pearce will be offering Black Friday Fitness Bash that will provide a small sampling of group exercise to include Step Aerobics, BODYPUMP™, BODYATTACK™, Hip Hop, and Zumba®.  Our Black Friday fitness event is free and open to the public. Classes begin at 8:30!

Happy Birthday to "The Oldest Witch"

The self-proclaimed "oldest witch" Evelyn Stedman turned 96 on Halloween. 

	Evelyn Stedman

Evelyn and her husband bought the 17th membership to Pearce back in 1990. Though her husband has passed away, Evelyn maintains her charter membership and active participation. 

But she was involved with Pearce Community Center before it ever opened. She came to Pearce School each day during high school, graduating in 1939. Then in the late 1980's, Evelyn served as treasurer to a group of seniors who worked hard to get Pearce up and running. In fact, she only resigned as treasurer two years ago.

The group sold raffle tickets to raise funds to open Pearce. It took a year to sell all the tickets, but they raised enough money to donate $8,000 to Pearce and award $7,000 in prizes. 

After Pearce opened, Evelyn swam laps, worked out with the weights and equipment, and walked laps in the gym equivalent to walking to Chicago. These days you'll find Evelyn playing cards upstairs in the Senior Room and enjoying lunch each month at the senior potluck.

Evelyn received a well-deserved "THANK YOU" from Pearce management during the October senior potluck as well as a huge round of applause.

Her Pearce senior friends surprised her with a birthday party during card playing.  

Her secret to a long life? "I haven't got a clue," she said with a hearty laugh.

Annual Altrusa Nut Sale at Pearce

CPR Training and Certification Course

Pearce is offering a CPR training and certification course on Tuesday, November 7 and again on Wednesday, November 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for people 11 and older. Training includes chest compressions, breathing, and using an AED.

The cost is $5. Register in advance at Pearce.

Group Swim Lessons and Swim Club Registration Opens

Pearce Community Center will offer group swim lessons this fall to children three years and older. The four-week session begins Tuesday, November 7 and ends Thursday, December 7. Lessons will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays with no lessons during Thanksgiving week.

Youth lessons for children five years and older and pre-school lessons for ages 3 and 4 are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. and again from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.

The cost of the class is $33.75 for Pearce Foundation members; $45 for members; and $70 for non-members. Register for swim lessons at Pearce.

Swim club registration is also being accepted. Swim Club is designed to help swimmers ages 6 and older develop and improve competitive swimming abilities including a variety of strokes, strength, and speed. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool unassisted. The fall swim club session runs concurrently with swim lessons and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The cost of swim club is $45 for Foundation members; members $60; non-members $75.

October Senior Potluck

Pearce will host the monthly senior potluck at noon on Tuesday, October 24. All seniors are invited to bring a side dish and their own table service and join in the fun. Fried chicken and drinks are provided. This month, entertainment will be provided by Winston Dunbar.

Spooktacular Returns!

Pearce Community Center will host its annual Spooktacular on Friday, October 27.

The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. with dozens of carnival games, haunted maze, Halloween tattoos and crafts, and a cake walk. A hot dog dinner with chips and a drink will be available to purchase.

At 5:45 p.m., James and the Hip Hop Howlers will perform hip hop dance to popular Halloween music.

At 6:00 p.m., the costume contest will begin. There will be several age categories and prizes will be awarded for the funniest, scariest, and most original costumes in each age category. 

Spooktacular will conclude at 6:30 p.m., just in time for the Monster Mash Dance to begin at 7:00 p.m. Students in grades 4^th through 6^th are invited to wear their costume and spend the evening dancing to the latest tunes played by the Pearce DJ and playing dodgeball.

Game tickets can be purchased for 25 cents. The hot dog dinner will be $3 for children 12 and under and $5 for adults 13 and over. A large adult meal with two hot dogs will be available for $7.

For more information on Spooktacular or to learn more about Pearce Community Center, call (309) 274-4209 or visit Pearce at www.pearcecc.com.

Refer a Friend!

Pearce members can earn one month free when they refer a friend to Pearce!

School's Out Day Camp

Pearce will host School’s Out Day Camp for students in grades K-6 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 27. Before camp care is also available beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Campers will spend the day enjoying a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, swimming in the pool, and local field trips. Bring a daily sack lunch that does not require refrigeration but can contain microwaveable items and a drink, swimsuit and towel, gym shoes, and a book. An afternoon snack will be provided.

Register in advance at Pearce. Foundation members pay only $31.50 per child per day; Members $35; and non-members $55.

Les Mills New Music and Moves

Before & After School Care Offers Daily Rates

Looking for something different for your kids to do after school? Pearce's Before & After School Care program offers daily rates so you can participate only when you need or want to.

The program provides a safe and fun place for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade to go during the before and after school hours. The program is held every day Illinois Valley Central District #321 is in session. Before School care is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. After School care is provided from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program includes homework time, snack time, organized games, physical education, exergaming, and free play.

Bus service for the Before School portion of the program is provided to CEC and South School. Bus service for the After School portion of the program is provided from CEC, South School, and Mossville. St. Edward’s School staff escort students to Pearce after school.

The weekly cost for Before School care is $31.50 for Foundation members; $35 members; and $45 non-members. The daily cost is only $7.87 for Foundation members; $8.75 members; and $11.25 non-members.

The weekly cost for After School care is $63 for Foundation members; $70 members; and $80 non-members. The daily cost is only $15.75 for Foundation members, $17.50 for members; and $20 for non-members.

New Les Mills Music and Moves in October

by Raquel Herron, Fitness Manager

October is a fun month for us Les Mills instructors, as we'll be launching the newest releases from Les Mills for BODYPUMP™, BODYATTACK™, and BODYFLOW™. We love release time because we get a chance to see new moves and hear new music, which I'm sure many of you are looking forward to as well!

Stephanie, Laura, and I recently got a chance to learn the new releases from Les Mills master instructors and you're going to love the new material! It's challenging, energetic, and most of all, it's fun! These educational opportunities are important in helping us stay informed, challenged, and up to date with what's happening with Les Mills programs. We get a chance to be students instead of teachers and it honestly helps us be better instructors and motivators for all who attend our classes.

If you feel like you're ready to start group exercise, or if you feel like your current routine needs a boost, why not try some of our Les Mills classes during our Les Mills launches October 16, 17 and 18? They're free and open to the public, so bring a friend!

BODYPUMP is by far the most popular program that Les Mills offers. Basically, it's a barbell weightlifting class set to music. We do high reps and low to moderate weights. According to Lesmills.com, you can "...burn up to 540 calories" during class! You'll gain muscle and improve your muscular endurance. BODYPUMP™ is a challenging class, so you'll definitely leave feeling like you've accomplished something and I bet you'll be back for more!

If cardio and agility are more for you, then BODYATTACK™ will speak your language. BODYATTACK™ is honestly so fun to teach and to participate in! BODYATTACK™ is purely driven by bodyweight. We do not use any weights. BODYATTACK™ combines athletic movements with strength based bodyweight moves. We use our bodies to run, jump, squat, lunge, and pushup. An average class can burn "...up to 730 calories!" and yes, you will feel like you burned each and every one of those calories. You'll probably leave much sweatier than when you came in, but it's worth it for the exercise high you'll get!

If you're ready to improve your flexibility and balance, then BODYFLOW™ is where it's at. BODYFLOW™ combines yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi to provide a class that will strengthen your body and relax your mind. It's also challenging. I always remember thinking that a yoga based class would be too slow or easy for me, but I was definitely humbled after taking a few classes. BODYFLOW™ will help improve your balance and stability as well as help you control your breathing.

I hope that I've inspired you to come and try some new classes. I know I can speak for my instructors when I say we'd love to see you in class! For those of you who always come to BODYPUMP™, why not try BODYFLOW™ or BODYATTACK™? Sometimes changing it up can help you avoid boredom and keep you challenged. Whatever class you decide to try, we're here to help you! Hope to see you at launch time! Stay focused, stay moving!

‹

›

10/4/17

3 Photos - View album

The Up Side of an Empty Nest

After battling thyroid cancer with radiation eight years ago, Lucy Kirby began experiencing body pain. The radiation was successful but the side effects were awful. Her muscles became dehydrated which led to cramps with excruciating cramping in her feet; dry mouth syndrome, weight gain, and feeling sluggish all of the time. "I never weighed myself, but I just felt too big," said Lucy.

"I joined Pearce a couple of years ago because my mom was a member. The last of my three children moved to Connecticut, and I wanted to start spending more time with her." But what she thought was just a way to see more of her mom became a prescription for a better life.

"I didn't realize how big I was until I started shopping for spandex to wear to class," said Lucy. "I knew I didn't feel good and that I wasn't eating right." Because she no longer needed to cook for her family, she was doing what many people do: grabbing quick fast food, and eating portion sizes that made her feel miserably full.

Lucy started attending Hip Hop group exercise class with her mom. Because the class is so much fun, she didn't really realize she was exercising. But she was, and it started to show. She lost a little weight, began to feel a little more toned, and gained the desire to eat healthier.

Over the course of six months and steady participation in Hip Hop, yoga, walking on the tread mill in the Women Only exercise room, and walking with a friend at work, Lucy lost 20 percent of her body weight. She also changed her diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking tons of water, cutting back on coffee, and eating a smaller dinner earlier in the evening.

Lucy credits Hip Hop instructor James Haywood's motivation as the key to her success. "He makes a point to get in front of every person in class and let you know he's there to help you," says Lucy. "He makes it fun, and he's a wonderful dancer. He's very good at making you smile, laugh, and get into it. I have so much more energy now, even right after class!"

Lucy's advice? "Don't sit down when you get home from work! Change to gym clothes and go directory to Pearce. If you sit down, it's over."

Lucy's job at Caterpillar requires her to present to audiences of various types and sizes. "I used to spend hours trying to decide what to wear to hide my size. I don't have to do that anymore. I feel comfortable and confident, and it show. I've gotten a lot of compliments, not just in the weight loss, but because people sense my increased confidence."

In addition to improved health and feeling great, Lucy got to buy lots of new clothes. "The funnest thing was buying jeans!" says Lucy. "I never used to wear jeans, but now I love them!" With her weight loss, she is buying clothes six sizes smaller. "I'm finally out of plus sizes!" Her pain is significantly decreased, her back is stronger, and she can actually see muscles now.

"Two of my three children live away, so they haven't seen me in person yet," says Lucy. "They'll be home for Christmas, and I can't wait to see their expressions!"

Lucy also has three grandchildren nearby. "We pulled weeds in the garden for two or three hours a couple of weeks ago and played airplane. I could have never done that before."