New AED Device Installed

A third AED (automated external defibrillator) has been installed in the pool area near the office. The AED was made possible by a grant from the Heart of Illinois United Way.

An AED is also located at the front desk as you enter the building. The second device is located upstairs outside of the senior's room.

Little Library installed at Pearce

Some of you may have wondered what this small structure is in front of Pearce. It's a Little Library, a project conceived by the Chillicothe Public Library and made possible by a grant from our local Altrusa Club. Volunteers built the boxes that have been installed at various locations throughout Chillicothe, including Pearce. Take a book, leave a book. The Library encourages and appreciates everyone re-purposing their old books that are no longer used through these Little Libraries. 

Green Initiative Update

This spring, Pearce upgraded all of its lighting fixtures to reduce cost and take advantage of several available rebates. Projected benefits include a reduction in annual energy usage and cost for lighting of 45%. Dangerous emissions are anticipated to reduce by 45% for carbon dioxide; 50% for nitrous oxide; and 57% for methane. Approximately 13% of the total cost of the project has been rebated by Ameren Illinois' Act on Energy program. Another 23% rebate is expected pending a final audit from the Illinois Clean Energy commission.

Equipment of the Month: AbCoaster

The idea is simple: kneel on the seat, grab the arms and curl your knees up to your chest. Slow down to ensure you're not relying on momentum to do the work. The AbCoaster is designed to limit strain to the neck and back, putting all the work firmly in your core muscles. There is a weight plate that can add up to an additional 20 pounds of resistance for advanced fitness levels. 

 

The Pearce AbCoaster can be found in the weight room on the first floor. 

Personal Trainer Gavin Sullivan Uses AbCoaster

New Board Member Elected

Natalie Colgan

The Pearce Community Center Board swore in newly elected Board member Natalie Colgan at its June 26th meeting. 

Natalie grew up in Chillicothe and has been an avid member of Pearce since her own school days. She has been a member of the Center's marketing committee since 2011. 

Natalie earned her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University. She is employed by IVC School District as a Kindergarten teacher at Mossville School, a position she has held for 17 years. 

Look Who Visited Pearce in June!

"When you sit up front every day," said membership coordinator Jill Rodier, "you get to where you pretty much recognize every member. So when someone new walks in, I know it."

She may have known he was new to Pearce, but it took Jill several moments before she realized that she'd seen this guy before. Then it hit her--that's country music recording artist Granger Smith, the opening act at the Dierks Bentley concert at Three Sisters Park!

In town for the June 6 show, Granger came in to maintain his fitness regime: 30 minutes of P90X3 three times each week. He uses his mobile phone to access videos that lead him through the workout that features body weight functional training. 

Granger tries to keep his fitness routine fresh and new, always changing the video he follows. He also follows a healthy diet plan. "If I can make one good decision each day, that's a win," said Granger. "Order grilled chicken with salsa instead of a cheese enchilada." He typically eats three small meals and two snacks each day and keeps a supply of healthy snacks on his tour bus that includes raw almonds, apples, peanut butter, and bananas. "Temptation is the greatest for me at night. I can usually resist, but if someone gets a pizza, man that's hard to turn down."

When he's home, he works out either in his home or in the warehouse he keeps his tour bus in. Since time with his family is so precious, he works out before his wife and two small children get up, or after they go to bed.

"Being accountable to someone is key to maintaining my fitness," said Granger. "My manager pushes me to stay on track."

His motivation for maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle is strong. "When I work out, I feel good. My immune system fires up and I sleep better. I still have a souvenir from high school football: achy knees and back. Working out relieves those aches." 

A family history of heart disease also provides motivation. Granger was only six years old when he lost his father to a massive heart attack.

Granger Smith in the Pearce weight room

Granger and his crew leave Pearce  and head to Three Sisters Park

Our second June visitor was, well, different. Bubba, a nine foot alligator, made a stop on June 26 as part of the library's summer program. 

Jim Nesci introduces Bubba

Mr. Jim Nesci brought several of his "Cold Blooded Creatures" to visit. Bubba is the only North American alligator who takes commands from his trainer. Bubba came to Jim as a rescue from the Chicago area. He is a unique alligator who amazes teachers and audiences wherever he performs.  He has appeared in schools, hospitals, museums and various TV shows and advertisements.

Pearce summer campers, along with the public, settled into the banquet room for Jim's one hour show. A variety of cold blooded creatures were presented including a tortoise, ball python, albino python, monitor lizard, a small alligator, and, of course, Bubba. 

Tank, the African spurred tortoise

I had no idea he would put Godzilla, the Black throat monitor lizard, on my head when I volunteered for this!

Summer camp counselor Amy Berchtold holds Lucky

Ball python

Blondie, the 18' Albino Burmese Python

Mr. Chillicothe Contest

Certified personal trainer and Spinning instructor Rob Ordazrepresented Pearce at the Mr. Chillicothe Contest on Friday, June 6, part of the Claud-Elen Days Festival.

The community was invited to "vote" for their favorite candidate by making donations to the Chillicothe Lions Club in collection containers around town.

At the end of the fierce competition, Rob was crowned Mr. Congeniality and the first runner up in the event.

Rob Ordaz in the swimsuit competition

Zumba Instructor Training

Zumba Fitness selected Pearce as the venue for instructor training held Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1. More than 58 people interested in becoming Zumba instructors came from throughout Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and South Dakota. Training was offered for both Zumba and Aqua Zumba classes. National and international Master Trainer Jenna Bostic led the two day event.

Fitness Manager Liz Thorp became a certified Zumba instructor. "I can't wait to get Aqua Zumba and Chair Zumba on our group exercise schedule this fall," said Liz. "These classes will bring more variety, and they're fun! They call Zumba a dance party, and it is. The international beats are infectious: you can't help but move!"

Trainer Bostic was very impressed with Pearce. The powerful sound system and microphone headsets in both the pool and the aerobics studio are uncommon for a nonprofit facility in a small community. This state-of-the-art sound system will bring the music, the cornerstone of Zumba, to life.

Zumba is currently offered at Pearce on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Zumba Toning is offered each Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.

Zumba Master Trainer Jenna Bostic leads participants through Aqua Zumba instruction and certification at Pearce

And The Winner Is...

Pearce Foundation Member Alisha Cihla wins $500

Our spring Foundation membership drive offered a chance to win $500 to anyone who purchased a Foundation membership. We drew the winner, Alisha Cihla, on June 2. 

 

Congratulations Alisha, and thank you to everyone who purchased a Foundation membership. 

 

Whirlpool Update

Hooray! The whirlpool is now up and running!

July Member of the Month

Our July Member of the Month is Mike Morgan, a member of Pearce for more than 10 years.

When his children were little, Mike helped with soccer and basketball leagues at Pearce. These days you can find him swimming or working with free weights. He has also participated in the annual Run For The Health of It several times. An avid runner, Mike also participated in the annual St. Jude Run for 11 years and was a member of a race team for Caterpillar. “My running coach always told me: ‘Practice. Practice until you have it down pat,’ so I just kept running for many, many years,” said Mike.

Mike enjoys the state-of-the-art workout equipment that Pearce offers along with the variety of programs for families, individuals, and the community and the friendly and helpful staff. He believes Pearce is a great asset to everyone in Chillicothe, young and old alike.

Retired from Caterpillar after 41 years of service, Mike now enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time with his family, friends, and grandchildren. He also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Chillicothe Planning Commission.

Mike's advice: “Enjoy life to the fullest and be thankful for all your blessings.”

5K Run Saturday

There are just a few days left to register to walk or run in Run For The Health of It. This annual event will be held on Saturday, July 12 with the race beginning at 7:00 a.m. 

The 5K course has been certified by USA Track and Field. It will take participants through the paved, flat streets of Chillicothe. Water will be provided throughout the course.

Race day registration and check in will be available from 6:00-6:30 a.m. The course will begin and end at Pearce Community Center. Refreshments, snacks, and the awards ceremony will take place in the banquet room immediately after the race.

The cost is $30 for all runners; however, Steamboat runners pay only $25. The entry fee for walkers is $15. 

Packet pickup will be available Thursday, July 10 from noon to 5:00 p.m., and again on Friday, July 11 from noon to 8:00 p.m.