Running Club Winter Session Scheduled

The Pearce Community Center Running Club will kick off its 9-week winter session on Tuesday, January 5 at 5:30 p.m. The Club is open to all ages and skill levels; however, children under the age of 10 must run with an adult. Weekly runs are led by Illinois Valley Striders. In inclement weather, the Club runs on Pearce’s indoor track. Foundation members pay only $30 for club membership; members $40; non-members $50.

Winter Swim Lessons

Pearce Community Center will offer group swim lessons this winter to children ages six months and older. The eight-week session begins the week of January 4.

Lessons are available for three age groups. Parent/child lessons for children age six months to 35 months are offered on Mondays and Fridays at 4:15 p.m.; preschool lessons for ages three and four years are offered on Mondays and Fridays at 4:50 p.m.; and youth lessons for children five years and older are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:15 p.m., 4:50 p.m., and 5:25 p.m. Adult lessons are also available on Mondays at 5:25 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. 

Breakfast with Santa

The annual Breakfast with Santa event took place at Pearce on Saturday, December 5. With a sold out event, not an empty chair could be found. A very special thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success.

Mitch and Greg lead children in Christmas carols.

Children got the chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Avid Spinner Hits Incredible Milestone

Pearce member Jim Farrell reached an unprecedented milestone, logging his 10,000th mile in Spinning class. It's important to mention that he has only been a member of Pearce for just over three years, which means he has biked approximately 8 miles every day since he became a member! 

 

His passion for cycling includes biking on the Rock Island Trail or the country roads around Princeville almost every day.  

Jim Farrell with Spinning Instructor Megan Rupiper

Winter Fitness Tips

Winter Fitness Tips

By Megan Rupiper, MS

Winter is no time to ditch your favorite workout routine. There are plenty of ways to continue enjoying your favorite outdoor activity with some smart modifications.

Dress in Layers

Dressing in layers is necessary in the wintertime. The old saying goes "you can always take it off but you can't put it on if you don't have it." No smarter words have been spoken. At first the cold temperatures outside are a shock to our warm bodies so it makes sense to dress warmly to go out. However, once you start moving your body heats up quickly. Dressing in layers that you can easily take off during your workout is a smart way to adjust to the body temperature change. Think of items that can be taken off and tied around your waist as you get warm. Also, think of the materials you are dressing yourself in. Fleece and wool are great insulators to keep you warm in the cold temperatures. In the event of rain or snow, select an outer layer that is water resistant or even better, waterproof. 

Hydrate

Just because it is cold out does not make hydration any less important. Your body will still warm up and sweat even when it is cold outside. You should hydrate your body in the winter just as much as you do in the summer during a workout.  A good rule of thumb is to drink at least every 15 minutes during a workout. Some people prefer to drink more often and that's OK too.

Wear a Hat and Gloves

Much of the body's heat will escape through the head and hands. It is ideal to wear a hat or hood and gloves to keep you warm while you workout outside. Keeping your hands covered will help prevent frostbite in periods of long exposure to the outdoor elements. There are mitten/glove combinations that have the cut-off fingertips and fold-back mitten tops to let your fingers breath a little bit as your hands get warm. 

Keep your Feet Warm

Since we live in the Midwest, it is likely we will start to see some snow accumulate on the ground. As it melts we start to get puddles in the way of where we may choose to exercise outdoors. Choose your socks wisely before heading out the door. Wool athletic socks will help keep your feet warm and dry while you exercise outdoors. There are various percentages of wool fibers in socks, and the more wool, the warmer the socks will keep your feet. 

Traction

There are devices you can add to your shoes like a Yaktrax that will add additional traction to your shoes during muddy, snowy or icy conditions. These devices come in a variety of sizes to fit your individual shoe size. Not only are these great for outdoor exercising but also great for your every day errands in the winter weather.

Light up the Road
Since daylight savings is upon us it gets darker much earlier in the evenings. If your exercising routine occurs after it is dark out it would be worth investing in a headlamp or flashlight to be able to see the road ahead of you. Winter weather brings potholes and slippery ice, both of which can cause a nasty injury if unseen. 

Wear Reflective Clothing
To go along with being able to see the road when it is dark, it is also important to be seen. Wear reflective clothing when you exercise after dark to ensure vehicles can see you. There are many clothing products with sewn in reflective pieces but there are also vests and ankle/wrist wraps and flashing lights that can be added to your body when you are working out.  Wearing a combination of reflective vests, reflective clothing and lights will help ensure a safer workout after dark. Also, remember the rules of the road. Runners or walkers should go against the flow of traffic so they can see what is ahead of them and be prepared to move out of the way if necessary.  Cyclists should go with the flow of traffic and follow the rules of the road.

Following these simple suggestions should ensure a safe winter of exercising. If you don't care for outdoor exercises, head indoors to Pearce Community Center and try out one of their many great classes.  

Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday!

Weight Loss Challenge at Pearce

Pearce Community Center is offering a six-week Weight Loss Challenge to help with holiday over indulgence and the most popular New Year’s resolution: losing weight.

Pearce certified personal trainers will provide basic nutrition guidance and tips as well as a cross training fitness program using strength and cardio training to help contestants shed the most weight to win the challenge. Contestants meet with a trainer for one hour twice each week. Meet with trainer David Dunn on Mondays and Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; trainer Michelle Manjak on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; trainer Natalie Healy on Wednesdays and Saturdays from noon to 1:00 p.m.; or Raquel Herron on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The contestant who loses the largest percentage of weight will win three months of free Pearce membership and one hour of personal training. Second place will win two hours of personal training and two Spinning®/TRX® punch cards, and the third place contestant will win one hour of personal training and one Spinning®/TRX® punch card.


The cost is $100 for Pearce members; $150 for non-members. Register in advance at Pearce. 

December Member of the Month

Our December Member of the Month is Lee Swingler.  At 89, Lee believes he has been able to stave off the effects of Parkinson’s disease by staying active at Pearce. “My doctor told me to keep doing whatever I’m doing and I don’t have to see him again for a year!”

Lee visits Pearce several times each week to walk laps on the indoor walking track. He has also swam and walked many laps in the pool.

“Pearce is a wonderful place. We are very lucky to have it in our community,” says Lee. “The staff members are great and you get a lot for your money. It’s the best place for seniors to stay active.”

Lee worked as a construction supervisor for 55 years, traveling the globe for assignments in far off places like Saudi Arabia.

When Lee is not at Pearce, he enjoys making cabinets, clocks, and general woodworking. His 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and a new great-grandchild also keep him active.

December Member of the Month Lee Swingler

The Learning Zone Puts Altrusa Donation to Good Use

The Learning Zone at Pearce recently received a donation from Altrusa and used the funds to purchase a new book cart on which to display some of the many children's books used during Learning Zone programs. 

Thank you Altrusa!

Support for The Learning Zone

Mike Ratcliff from the Chillicothe Township presented a check for $1,000 to Pearce Director Ben Alvarez for The Learning Zone, a supplemental education program for area children in grades K-8. 

The Learning Zone was selected to receive support because it meets the Township's mission of providing programs for low-income Chillicothe residents. Financial aid is available to all students who qualify. Pearce membership is not required to be eligible for assistance. 

Tips for Surviving the Holidays

By Megan Rupiper, MS, Certified Personal Trainer

Megan Rupiper

Many people dread the upcoming holidays and the effects they have on their waistline. The following are some tips for making it through the holidays with a happier and healthier waistline.

Tip #1:  Make time for yourself.

The holidays are a busy season of going to parties and hosting parties with all of the preparations that go along with them. Be sure to make yourself a priority all season long.  

Do not allow the hustle and bustle of the season make you miss your favorite workout routine, favorite class, or personal trainer.  Your continued exercise routine will help you cope with the stress of the season, allow you to rest better at night, and help you continue burning the extra calories that you are more likely going to consume. Do not use the excuse "I'm too busy" to skip taking care of yourself. 

Tip #2:  Alter your favorite recipes.

The holidays are notorious for dishes heavy in calories. Try altering the recipes this year to make them more calorie and figure friendly. When making your favorites, try to cut back on the amount of butter, sugar, or salt you use. Try to substitute lower fat dairy options instead of the full-fat option. Get online to research some healthier recipe alternatives. 

A good rule of thumb to follow in cooking is trying to keep foods in their most natural state. For example, instead of making the traditional green bean casserole with the cream of mushroom soup and crispy fried onions, try fresh green beans with some caramelized onions, cooked simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper. 

Tip #3:  Portion control.

Portion control is something you should pay attention to all year long. It is an easy way for you to keep your calorie intake in check. When you start to attend holiday parties that have oodles of food choices, try taking only a small sample of each item.  Taking a full serving size of every side dish when there are six side dishes to pick from is going to result in an excessive amount of calories being consumed.  

To go along with taking small amounts of each food, try using a smaller plate for your food. When there is less room for you to put the food, you are more likely to consume fewer calories. 

Do not attend a party on an empty stomach. Just like going to the grocery store hungry, you are likely to eat more food if you go to the party hungry. 

Tip #4:  Choose your beverage wisely.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can add up in calories over the holiday seasons. Avoid drinking beverages that are high in calories and sugar. Sodas are high in empty calories and contain excessive amounts of sugar. Many alcoholic beverages contain high amounts of calories as well. Do your research on your favorite alcoholic beverage before attending a party. If you find your favorite beverage is high in calories, find a low-calorie alternative. Some easy ways to slim back on mixed drink calories is to add diet soda instead of regular or use club soda instead of tonic water. The number of drinks you consume should also be monitored, not only for the sake of calories but also for a safe return home at night.

Tip #5: Get your sleep

There is no better way to sabotage yourself during the holidays than by not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can result in more sugar cravings, lack of energy, and increased appetite.  Each of these can result in making poor decisions about both food and exercise. 

The holidays are a busy time of year but don't let them get to you. Treat your body just as well as you do all year around by continuing your regular exercise program, eating well, and getting plenty of rest. Following these simple suggestions will result in a healthy holiday season.

Foundation Provides Outdoor Equipment

In honor of the 25th anniversary of Pearce Community Center, the Pearce Foundation Board will provide four pieces of outdoor fitness equipment to further support health and fitness. 

The equipment will be installed in the spring of 2016 adjacent to the playground. This location will allow parents to observe their children at the playground while they exercise. 

The equipment will be open to the public. 

November Member of the Month

Our November Member of the Month is Tammy Stumbaugh. As a school bus driver, Tammy works out at Pearce to help avoid “bus driver belly.”

Working out at Pearce is nothing new to Tammy. She is a charter member which means she joined in 1990 when the Center opened. Tammy is an avid swimmer but has recently broadened her scope at Pearce by participating in group exercise classes including Spinning, Kickfit, Core, and Hip Hop with James. “Love that class. James is awesome!”

Tammy believes every age group is served at Pearce, especially kids programming for her grandchildren. And the pool is an incredible feature to have in the community.

“You will never say ‘boy I wish I hadn’t worked out at Pearce,’ but you can be sure you’ll say ‘boy I shouldn’t have eaten that’ when you leave Dairy Queen,” laughs Tammy.

When she’s not at Pearce, Tammy enjoys spending time with her family including her husband, three beautiful daughters, and two adorable grandchildren. Her horses and dogs also keep her busy at home. 

Tammy Stumbaugh

Black Friday Fitness Bash

Pearce Community Center will host its Black Friday Fitness Bash Friday, November 27 from 8:00 to 11:30 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 six 30-minute group exercise classes including Yoga from 8:00 to 8:30; Guts ‘N Butts from 8:35 to 9:05; Zumba from 9:10 to 9:40; Beginner Hip Hop from 9:45 to 10:15; RIP from 10:30 to 10:50; and Yoga from 10:55 to 11:25.

The Black Friday Fitness Bash is free and open to everyone 12 and older.  

School's Out Day Camp

Pearce Community Center will host School’s Out Day Camp for students in grades K-6 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and Friday, November 273 when IVC School District #321 is not in session. 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 $27 per child per day; members $30; and non-members $45.

Breakfast with Santa at Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host Santa and Mrs. Claus during Breakfastwith Santa, Saturday, December 5 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.

Holiday Weight Loss Challenge

CPR Class Offered

Pearce Community Center is offering a CPR certification course on Wednesday, November 11, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for people 11 and older. Join instructors from Advanced Medical Transport to learn these life-saving skills.

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

Swimming Lessons to Begin

Pearce Community Center will offer group swim lessons this fall to children ages six months and older. The four-week session runs November 10 through December 10 with no classes on November 24 and 26.  

Lessons are available for three age groups. Parent/child lessons for children age six months to 35 months are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:55 a.m.; preschool lessons for ages three and four years are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30; and youth lessons for children five years and older are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:15 p.m., 4:50 p.m., and 5:25 p.m. 

The cost of the class is $33.75 for Pearce Foundation members; $45 for members; and $65 for non-members. Register for swim lessons at Pearce. 

Smoking Cessation Program to be Hosted by Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host a presentation of the Smoking Cessation program offered by OSF Saint Francis Medical Center on Thursday, November 19 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

This free introduction to the Smoking Cessation program will explain the program and the process and provide education on tobacco. 

SPOOKTACULAR!

Meet Our October Member of the Month

Our October Member of the Month is Bill Lester. Bill is retired from City Link Mass Transit where he worked for 34 years as a service maintenance foreman. Now that he has more time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, coming to Pearce, and still loves fixing things.

Bill has been a member for almost six years. He likes to participate in a wide variety of group exercise classes and has most recently discovered Beginner Hip Hop.

After shoulder surgery, Bill uses working out to rehab his shoulder and keep himself fit and healthy.

Wellmobile Coming to Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host a free wellness screening presented by UnityPoint Health on Tuesday, November 17 from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. The public is welcome to stop in for free blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring and cholesterol and spirometry screening. An eight to 12 hour fast is required for the cholesterol/blood glucose tests. 

Junior Fitness Certification

Pearce Community Center is offering Junior Fit Certification on Friday, October 23, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.  After successfully completing the class and receiving certification, young members will be allowed access to the cardiovascular room and the Selectorized equipment area.

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

Pearce Foundation members pay only $7.50; members $10. Advance registration is required. 

October Senior Potluck

Pearce Community Center will host the monthly senior potluck at noon on Tuesday, October 27. 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, Nut & Honey will provide musical entertainment.  

    

Volunteers Needed for Spooktacular

We need your help. Donations of cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc. would be greatly appreciated for the Cake Walk during Spooktacular.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with games and the haunted house, as well as with the prize station and ticket sales.

Sign up for these opportunities at the front desk or call the front desk at 274-4209.

To Roll or Not to Roll

By Megan Rupiper, MS, Certified Personal Trainer

Megan Rupiper

To roll or not to roll, that is the question at hand. Foam rollers have become a commonly used device in athletic training, physicalrehabilitation, and health clubs. But what are they for? What do they do? Who should use them?  All of these are great questions.

The foam roller has been very popular over the past 20 years. It started as a device used in the physical therapy setting as a balancing device and for other rehabilitation uses.  Since the early 1990's it has been utilized more as a self-massaging device. They are commonly used to apply pressure to various body parts by lying on them and using a combination of bodyweight and a rolling motion to manipulate force. 

Foam rollers became very popular with athletes more recently as a cheap way to provide a massage. Once foam rolling became popular with athletes the rest of the fitness industry followed. But the question still remains, what does it do?

There are many hypotheses about what the foam roller actually does. It has been claimed that foam rolling can increase range of motion, decrease soreness, and relieve pain. A recent study indicated that foam rolling helped to increase range of motion in the quadriceps by 10 percent after rolling for two minutes with a 30-second break after each minute. Due to the small sample size and other research method variables, it is hard to come to a firm conclusion that foam rolling actually increases range of motion in one's muscles.

Another question about foam rolling is who should use it and when to use it. As mentioned before, foam rolling became very popular with athletes, and the fitness industry followed shortly after. Simply put, anyone can foam roll. There are no limitations as far as who can utilize this tool. The question of when to use the foam roller becomes a little trickier to answer. Some research has looked at foam rolling and range of motion benefits for athletes using it as their warm up. Results concluded there were range of motion benefits while using the foam roller in an athlete's program; however, other factors such as sports specific warmups and dynamic flexibility activities done at the same time could have improved range of motion. 

It is hard to say that one should use the foam roller alone as a warm up activity when much more research needs to be conducted. It is well known that a dynamic, sports-specific warm up is effective at preparing the body for exercise.

Foam rolling should be done with a purpose, not just because others are using it. So you should ask yourself, why am I doing this? If your answer is to improve your range of motion, then there is more research needed to support the use of foam rolling as an effective tool. If your answer is because it feels good, then continue rolling away. The foam roller is a cheap, effective way to offer oneself a massage. If your answer is to get in a warm up before an activity, then there are far better alternatives with many more years of research supporting its use as a warm up method.  

If you like using the foam roller, then continue doing so. If you are trying to get something specific out of the foam roller, such as improved range of motion or reduced pain, more research needs to be conducted. It certainly won't hurt to use the roller without concrete evidence to support its effectiveness, but it is one less thing you could be spending your time on when at the gym. 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Opens Remodeled Pearce Strong Cross Training Room

Pearce Community Center Director Ben Alvarez was joined by Pearce Board members and staff for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the remodeled Pearce Strong Cross Training Room on Monday, September 14.

 

"We are very excited to get this room open again," said Alvarez. "We had to close the room in May to repair the concrete floor that had cracked. We had to remove the old concrete, fill in the crawl space beneath the floor with gravel, and pour a thicker concrete floor to support the weights used in the Pearce Strong Cross Training class. Once we got into the project, we decided to go beyond the floor repairs and give the room a fresh, new look."

 

In addition to replacing the concrete, one-inch thick rubber tiles were laid to protect the floor and provide cushioned support for Pearce Strong participants. New paint and diamond plate completed the remodeling.

 

"We strive to offer the greatest value in fitness in downstate Illinois," said Alvarez. "So as part of this relaunch, we have lowered the price of Pearce Strong. Given the long list of amenities we offer including an indoor pool, two gymnasiums, indoor walking track, and a wide variety of fitness equipment, Pearce value simply can't be beat."

 

Pearce Strong Cross Training is a one-month class designed to improve performance, fitness, and endurance. High intensity, constantly varied, one-hour workouts three times each week are based on individual abilities and combine movements including sprinting, rowing, and weightlifting. Choose Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes that meet at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. or Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays classes that meet at 5:30 p.m. The next session begins on Monday, September 28.

 

The cost of each one month session is $60 for Pearce Foundation members; $75 for Pearce members; and $100 for non-members. Pearce will also discount the new lower price an additional 20 percent for all registrations by October 14. 

Left to right:  Pearce Board members Dennis Parkins, Dr. John Calhoun and Adam Leiner, Fitness Manager Liz Thorp, Board President Ty Fennell, Pearce Director Ben Alvarez, Pearce Strong Instructor Gavin Sullivan, and new Pearce Strong student Mary Stanbary.

Pearce Member Wins Age Division in Goodwill Run

Dan Razo proudly displays his award.

Pearce Member and Volunteer of the Year Dan Razo won the men's 61 to 65-year-old age division in the four-mile run at the Goodwill Forward March and Run on Saturday, September 12 at Peoria's Riverfront.

"I was disappointed with my time for Pearce's Run For The Health of It in July," said Dan. "So I started training harder and running more. I guess it worked because I won my age division!"

Dan is at Pearce nearly every weekday after work. He finds the camaraderie of group exercise classes especially helpful in keeping his motivation and enthusiasm high.

Pearce and IVC Partnership 'Works'

The partnership between the Instructional Class at IVC and Pearce works both ways. Pearce benefits from the efforts of class members while class members learn life and job skills. 

"We are excited to find another way to work closely with IVC," said Program Manager Carie McIntyre. "The class instructor Megan McCorkle and I work together to identify opportunities for the students.

Members of the Instructional Class at IVC High School clean windows at Pearce.

Members of the Instructional Class at IVC High School clean windows at Pearce. 

Support the Snackpac Program

There is a delicious and healthy way to support the Snackpac program.  On Saturday, October 3, a 5K/10K/1 Mile Walk will be held to benefit the program. The race steps off at IVC High School at 8:00 a.m. Register in advance at www.chillisnackpac.com or pick up a registration form at local businesses.  In addition, a pancake breakfast will be served from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Pearce.

Weekend Snackpac Program Receives United Way Funding

Pearce Community Center presented a check for $5,000 to the Chillicothe First United Methodist Church Weekend Snackpac program on Tuesday, September 15.

 

"We are delighted to present this check," said Ben Alvarez, Director of Pearce Community Center. "Pearce is a Heart of Illinois United Way agency, so we were able to apply for funds raised during the Power of the Purse event held earlier this year."

Alvarez presented the check to Doug Olson, Brenda Stewart, and Kim Whitehurst from First United. "This financial support from the Heart of Illinois United Way through Pearce Community Center is a huge boost to our ability to keep providing weekend Snackpacs to kids in Chillicothe," said Olson. "It's another example of how our local community and charitable organizations have helped make the program successful and allowed it to expand to reach more kids as we begin our fourth year. We are now providing 335 Snackpacs each week and covering all classes at South School and the Chillicothe Elementary Center."

Pearce will also host a Weekend Snackpac Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on Saturday, October 3 from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Center. Tickets are $6 for adult, $3 for children 4 to 7, and free for children 3 and under. Purchase tickets in advance at the Church or at the door the day of the breakfast.

 

A 5K/10K and one-mile walk fundraiser will also be held on October 3 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at IVC High School. Register atwww.chillisnackpac.com.

 

For more information about the Weekend Snackpac program or the fundraiser, please contact Doug Olson at (309) 635-9609 or Kim Whitehurst at (309) 231-7971.

Halloween Spooktacular at Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host its 25^th annual Spooktacular on Friday, October 30.

The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. with carnival games and a cake walk. There will be a haunted house that will offer a fun, scary, or terrifying trip through the house. A hot dog dinner with chips and a drink will be available to purchase.

At 5:00 p.m., James and the Hip Hop Howlers will perform hip hop dance to popular Halloween music.

At 5:30 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, playing dodgeball, and making their way through the spooky haunted house.


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.

School’s Out Day Camp Offered at Pearce

Pearce Community Center will host School’s Out Day Camp for students in grades K-6 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12 and Friday, October 23 when IVC School District #321 is not in session. 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 $27 per child per day; members $30; and non-members $45.

Kids Exergaming during School's Out Day Camp

Babysitting Class Offered at Pearce

Pearce Community Center is offering the Safe Sitter® program, a six-week babysitting class, beginning Thursday, October 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for ages 11 to 17.

The class will develop knowledge of first aid, rescue skills, and behavior management techniques as well as provide the experience to handle medical, behavioral, or household emergencies. Participants will also learn how to feed and diaper small children and create their own personalized toolkit of activities, crafts, and games to take with them to babysitting jobs. The class will conclude with hands-on experience babysitting at Pearce during Parent’s Night Out on Friday, November 13, mentored by trained staff.

The cost of the class is $30 for Foundation members; $40 for members; and $50 for non-members. Register for the Safe Sitter® program at Pearce. 

Youth Basketball League Registration Has Begun

Registration is open for Pearce Community Center’s fall/winter youth basketball league open to boys and girls ages 4 to 12 years old. The league is designed to provide fun, recreational basketball practice and play during which participants will learn basic skills and rules of the game in a structured environment. Every child, regardless of their skill level, will have the opportunity to experience basketball.  Games are played at Pearce on Saturdays.

The first six-week season runs from November 14 to December 19. Practice begins the week of November 2. Registration for this season ends October 26.

The second six-week season runs from January 16 to February 20. Practice begins the week of January 4. Registration for this season ends December 28.

Pearce Foundation members pay only $30 for a single season or $52.50 for both. Members pay $40 for a single season or $70 for both. Non-members pay $60 for a single season or $110 for both.

September Member of the Month

Hair stylist Celena Monier is our September member of the month.

Joining Pearce in 2013 makes Celena a relatively new member compared to our charter members, but already she has participated in nearly every group exercise class. Her favorites include Hip Hop, RIP, and Core Fusion. “You don’t notice how hard you’re working because the classes are so fun,” says Celena, “until the next day when you try to get out of bed!”

When Celena is not at Pearce working out, she helps on the family farm and hangs out with friends.

“Take advantage of the classes provided,” says Celena. “The instructors are so welcoming and encouraging. And like Hip Hop instructor James always says, ‘be safe, have fun!’”

September Member of the Month Celena Monier

When Does a Swimming Pool Cease to be a Swimming Pool?

In our case, a pool stops being a pool when there is no water in it during our annual pool maintenance project each August. 

I'm glad to report that the pool painting project is now complete. The paint manufacturer requires a minimum of 10 days of curing and drying time before we can start filling it with water.

Therefore, we have a firm re-opening date of September 14 which gives us time to fill, treat and heat the water.

We are disappointed that the closing took longer than expected, but the upside is that next year's maintenance closing will not include pool painting and will be just a few days to do any mechanical maintenance required. 

We have also completely rebuilt the spa with all new fittings and plumbing. We expect a trouble-free future for the spa.

 

Thank you for being so patient during this year's pool shutdown.

Ben Alvarez

Director

Exercise Myths Part 4

 

By Megan Rupiper, MS, Certified Personal Trainer

Megan Rupiper

Myth #7 - Drink 8 glasses of water per day.

It has reappeared in the media recently that, in fact, we do not need to consume 8 glasses of water per day. Research has been refuting this myth for years. The myth started back in the 1940's when the Food and Nutrition board recommended people drink 2.5 liters of water per day. What people failed to take away from the recommendation was the statement under the recommendation: "most of this quantity is consumed in prepared foods." This means that through the consumption of the foods and beverages we drink in the course of the day, we are consuming the recommended amount. There is no need to force yourself to gulp down an additional 8 glasses of water each day. Research has proven that for an otherwise healthy adult, there are no additional health benefits. I still recommend water as the best beverage to consume, but it is not the only beverage you can consume to maintain your hydration. 

There are currently no set recommendations on how much water people should consume during the day. There are so many factors that vary from a person's body size, what they eat, where they live, and what they do that can affect their water needs. 

Myth #8 - Squats are bad for your knees.

So many clients have come to me with knee trouble, often saying the doctor told them not to squat because it is bad for their knees. This claim has been made for years without supporting evidence or research. 

Squatting is an activity of daily living. How many times during the day do you stand up to get off your chair or the toilet, bend down to pick something up, get something out of a lower cupboard, walk up or down the stairs? All of these movements require you to perform some form of squat. 

There are many variations of the squat exercise. Some of them you may find more comfortable on your knees and some of them less comfortable. You should select the squat exercise that feels best for you. The squat is one of the best movements to increase strength in the lower body and very effective for improving your ability to complete activities of daily living. See your Pearce Community Center personal trainer to help you find the best squat exercise for you!

Myth #9 - Fresh fruits and vegetables are better than frozen.

The truth is many of the fruits and vegetables we buy every day at the grocery store were picked out of the fields almost 2 weeks prior to hitting the store shelves. A majority of the vitamin C found in those foods is long gone by the time it is brought home to enjoy. 

If you can buy your produce fresh from a local farmers market or pick from your own garden, the nutrient content is not lost. Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked and frozen at the peak of freshness, giving them a higher nutrient content than some fresh options. Buyers beware; some frozen fruit can be packaged in heavy syrup that adds unnecessary calories and lessens the healthy factor. Look at the ingredients on the food package. Try to avoid added sugar and salt in your frozen fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits taste great when added to smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal where frozen vegetables taste great when added to stir fry, casseroles and soups. Don't be afraid to stock up or experiment with frozen fruits and vegetables.