Breakfast with Santa

Pearce will host Santa and Mrs. Claus during Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 3 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 A Healthy Alternative to Shopping

Pearce will host its Black Friday Fitness Bash Friday, November 25 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 seven 30-minute group exercise classes including

8:00-8:30 Les Mills BODYPUMP with Rocky

8:30-9:00 Zumba with Sarah

9:00-9:30 Les Mills BODYATTACK with Stephanie Tomlinson\

9:30-10:00 Step ‘N Tone with Megan

10:00-10:30 Kick Strength with Mary Rose

10:30-11:00 Yoga with Natalie

11:00-11:30 SilverSneakers chair aerobics with Mary Rose

The event is free and open to the everyone 12 and older.

Pearce Running Club Members and Friends Participate in Local Run

Members of the Pearce Running Club and some of their friends competed in the

Ghost Chase Race in Chillicothe benefiting the Illinois Valley Central School District band programs. 

• Cassie Earleywine 3rd in the female 11 to 15 age group with a time of 25:48
• Pam Waldschmidt 2nd in the female 60-69 age group with a time of 26.36
• Dan Razo 2nd in the male 60-69 age group with a time of 26:59
• Rod Curtis 3rd in the male age group 60-69 with a time of 28:00
• Cliff Lee 4th in the male age group 60-69 with a time of 29.51
• Bill Holmes 5th in the male age group 60-69 with a time of 31:25
• Lori Curtis 3rd in the female age group 50-59 with a time of 31:43
• Toni Smith 7th in the age group 40-49 with a time of 33:45
• Dave Vojta 5th in the male age group 50-59 with a time of 33:49

While this event took place on what runners consider an easy course, Jason Young placed 7th over all at the McNotAgain 10-mile trail race in Pekin with a time of one hour and 48 minutes. 

The Eating Season is Upon Us

By Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager

We've made it to November, which as we all know, starts the eating season...I mean the holiday season! Undoubtedly this time of year is marked by copious amounts of food, from Thanksgiving turkey to New Year's cocktails. There's no shortage of cookies, pies, or Christmas hams. It's quite honestly, "the most wonderful time of the year." I know for many, this time of year is a stressful time, and often health and fitness take a back seat. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee or protein shake, and enjoy these tips on how to stay active and enjoy your favorite holiday eats during this busy, fun season.

If we made it through a holiday season without indulging in our favorite cookies or mashed potatoes, it truly would be a Christmas miracle! Most of us tend to eat a little more when the holidays roll around. There's no need to stress about this, but rather try to make smart choices most of the time. For example, if you know that you're going to have a big dinner on Thanksgiving, don't overdo it at breakfast.  Instead opt for a wholesome breakfast of a couple hard boiled eggs and some oatmeal, or a veggie omelet with a side of nitrate free bacon. Also, you don't have to starve yourself all day until "the big meal," as people generally tend to over-eat when they engage in this behavior. Just eat normally, as in eat your normal portions. There is no rule that says you need three servings of pumpkin pie because it's Thanksgiving. Be mindful and enjoy your pie, but don't overdo it. If you have to lie down after you eat, you may have eaten too much.  

What about exercise? I thought you'd never ask! If scheduling exercise during the busy holiday season becomes a chore, simply step back and see where you can fit in at least two quality gym sessions. This may mean you're coming in for a class or a sweat session at a different time than normal, but that's ok. If you're going to have family or friends in town, bring them here to Pearce! Let them see what a great facility we have and take them to your favorite class. If it's around Thanksgiving, we put on an awesome Black Friday sweat session in group exercise that's free for everyone! Still need a little more encouragement? Sign up for a race!  This time of year is always full of jingle bell runs and turkey trots. Gather up your friends and make it a group effort. When you sign up and pay for an event, you're more likely to follow through with your fitness efforts.

  

Last, but not least, please don't wait until the New Year to get started on your fitness goals. Make an effort to continue or start your fitness efforts before the holiday rush. Waiting until the New Year will make getting healthy an even bigger task. By starting before the holidays, you'll be in full fitness swing when the New Year rings in. Plus, by starting now, you'll feel that much better sooner rather than later. 

Staying active through the holidays will also help lighten the stresses associated with cooking, cleaning, and gift buying. A quick jog or weight session will relieve your mind from the pressures the holidays can unfortunately bring. There's nothing like throwing on your headphones and getting lost in a workout for an hour!

 

The holidays are a busy, exciting time of year, but don't let that get in the way of your healthy habits. Try to make smart food choices most of time, but enjoy your favorites without guilt. Try to get at least two quality workout sessions in a week, to include both cardio and strength. Don't put your health on the back burner until the New Year. Continue with your fitness efforts through the holidays and your mind and body will thank you! I hope these quick tips help you stay on a very merry fitness path this season. Happy exercising!

Spooktacular Costume Contest Winners

The annual Spooktacular Halloween event was a big success with more than 30 brand new games, perennial favorite cake walk, and a fantastic performance by James and the Hip Howlers. Click here to see their dance. 

With 25 cent tickets, families enjoyed an evening of affordable games including face painting, Spooksensory, a haunted house, poke-a-pumpkin, and many, many more. Parents also were able to purchase a hot dog dinner to make sure their children had dinner. 

Also a favorite each year, the costume contest was filled with creative costumes. Judges Stephanie Ferris, Vera Jezek, and Betty Newman had a difficult time choosing the winning costumes, all featured below. 

Annual Nut Sale Schedule

Holiday Swim Lessons

Pearce will offer group swim lessons this fall to children ages six months and older. The four-week session runs November 14 through December 15 with no classes on November 24.

Lessons are available for three age groups. Parent/child lessons for children age six months to 35 months are offered on Mondays at 11:00 a.m.; preschool lessons for ages three and four years are offered on Mondays at 9:30. The cost of these lessons is $ $16.88 for Pearce Foundation members; $22.50 for Members; and $35 for non-members.

Youth lessons for children five years and older are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:15 and 5:15 p.m. The cost of these lessons is $33.75 for Pearce Foundation members; $45 for members; and $65 for non-members.

Register for swim lessons at Pearce.