NEW Before & After School Care Refer a Friend Program

We’re excited to announce that we have added a new referral component to our Before & After School Care Program. You can earn a certificate good for five FREE days of After School Care or 10 FREE days of Before School Care for every person you refer to the program who joins and pays for a minimum of five days of After School Care or ten days of Before School Care. That’s a $70 value!

We have added a “Referred By” line to our registration form so be sure to tell your referral to put your name there so we can issue your certificate.

So many parents have told us what a great program we offer, and thank us for providing quality care for their children. Now you can earn FREE days in the program for telling others!

Thank you for spreading the word about the great Before & After School Care program at Pearce.

Annual Pool Maintenance Scheduled at Pearce.

Pearce has scheduled its indoor pool for annual maintenance. The pool will be closed August 4 through 18.

Pearce has partnered with Chillicothe Park District’s Shore Acres Pool to offer water aerobics classes and lap swimming during the shutdown. On August 4, 7, 9, and 11, Aqua Fit will be offered from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. and Aqua Fit Gold from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. These classes will be free and open to the public.

Lap swimming will be available from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on August 4 and again on August 7-11. The cost to participate is $3.

In case of inclement weather, the pool will be closed.

Local Group Participates in RAGBRAI

There has been a very dedicated group of people cycling in the Pearce Cycling room each Tuesday evening since early this year led by personal trainer Michelle Manjak. The group has a very targeted focus: train for a long summer bicycle ride.  

In fact, a 468-mile bike ride across the state of Iowa. RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. This year, the event begins Sunday, July 23.

Heading into its 45th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. The event attracts participants from all 50 states and many foreign countries

The RAGBRAI route averages 468 miles and is not necessarily flat.  It begins somewhere along Iowa’s western border on the Missouri River and ends along the eastern border on the Mississippi River. Registrants are limited to 8,500 week-long riders and 1,500 day riders.

“Michelle is a great motivator,” said Mark Cosner, Pearce member and RAGBRAI participant. “During our training sessions with her, she led us through lots of interval training to prepare for the hills. People don’t think of Iowa as hilly, but it is.” The group also worked on breathing technique for both active and passive recovery. “One of the benefits of intensive training is developing a callous on your backside,” added Mark. “That really helps when you’re riding about 70 miles each day.”

Mark was instrumental in rounding up a group of local people to participate together including Pearce members Troy Schmick, Aaron Clay, Steve Reginald, Dan and Emily Terpstra, and Pearce members and employees Rob Ordaz and Laura Hedden. Pearce Board members Dave Vojta and John Calhoun, along with his wife Lisa, are also riding. Other locals include Tom Fenelon and Mike Featherstone, who is riding in his fourth RAGBRAI this year. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVONA!

Today we wish Pearce senior Evona Nelson a happy 98th birthday! We captured her picture while she was upstairs in the senior room playing hand and foot, one of her favorite card games.

Evona spends winters at her home in AZ, enjoying the company of her Canadian boyfriend. They go dancing 5 nights each week and he brings her flowers every day.

While she is at her home in IL, she drives alone to see family in MN and check on the farm she owns in IA.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVONA!

Free Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

A free diabetic retinopathy screening for persons with diabetes, or those at risk for diabetes, will be held on Wednesday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pearce The screening is coordinated by the Chillicothe Lion’s Club and the Lions of Illinois Foundation, and is made possible through generous donations.

The quality of life for people with diabetic retinopathy and other retinal disorders, such as macular degeneration, is dramatically impacted. Since early detection of such disorders is critical, persons with diabetes or those 55 or older are encouraged to take advantage of this free screening.

Persons wishing to join the Lions in their fight against the effects of vision and hearing loss should contact the Chillicothe Lion’s Club President Mike Mahoney at (309) 274-5451.

FREE PUBLIC SWIM THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

It's not only going to be hot Thursday and Friday, it's dangerous. Pearce will again offer free public swimming from noon to 4 on Thursday and Friday, July 20 and 21. Everyone is welcome!

July Senior Potluck

Pearce will host the monthly senior potluck at noon on Tuesday, July 25. 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 the Accordion Club.

Weekend Snack Pack Program Receives United Way Funding

Pearce presented a check for $5,000 to the Chillicothe First United Methodist Church Weekend Snackpac program on Thursday, June 29.

 

"We are delighted to present this check," said Maggie Butterfield, Executive 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."

Butterfield presented the check to Pastor Ron Martz of First United. "It is generous donations like this $5,000 from 'Power of the Purse' and Pearce Community Center, that make it possible to serve 293 students on a weekly basis," said Pastor Martz. "The program, in its 5th year, is providing Snackpacs each week covering South School, Chillicothe Elementary Center, Calvary Baptist School, and IVC High School. Plus, this is the second year for the Summer Snackpac program."

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. 

Refer a Friend!

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

Find Another Way

by Gavin Sullivan, Pearce Sports Manager, Personal Trainer and Head Coach of Irish Family

When I was younger I told my mom my dream was to make it to the NBA. She knew my odds were slim to none of that becoming reality. She knew back then that I had a serious addiction to the game of basketball. She might have laughed from time to time at my dream, but she never said stop chasing it.

Needless to say, I didn't become a NBA player, and I found a new path and purpose in the game of basketball in coaching and developing youth basketball players like I do as Sports Manager at Pearce. I also helped create a developmental program, Illinois Irish, that is geared towards college recruitment in central Illinois. It has turned into the biggest program in central Illinois while ranked among the best in the state.

Illinois Irish has produced players at all levels of college basketball. D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO: you name it, we have had players at that level of collegiate basketball. A few years ago we got our first professional player who signed to play in Spain. We now have four other guys that have signed professional deals overseas.

Then June 29 happened: the 2017 NBA Draft. With the 54th pick, the Phoenix Suns selected one of our 2013 alumni Alec Peters. A kid who has been with Illinois Irish since 8th grade. A kid who I still work out with when he is around. A kid who has never wavered in his loyalty to the program. That night being at his Draft Party and seeing him be drafted was such an unreal moment to be a part of. Still in shock, still get chills, and still kind of get choked up about it. I might not have gotten to the NBA as a player myself, but I found another route that gave me my NBA dream.

The only failure in life is when you say "I give up!" Journeys don't all have the same routes. Sometimes it's about creating your own route to get where you want to be. And I can say now my route might not have been what I expected or planned, but its amazing how hard work, dedication, and commitment finds a way.

I love developing players of all ages. As Sports Manager at Pearce, I work with young children to introduce them to the fun of basketball, soccer, and volleyball. We've made a few changes to our leagues recently. We're currently taking registration for fall volleyball, followed by two sessions of basketball. Our soccer program will return in the spring of 2018. These leagues serve as not only a great introduction to the sport, but to the rules and the importance of following them, developing team spirit, learning how to win with pride and lose with grace, and the satisfaction that comes from working hard.

Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor Competes in Xterra Illinois Wild

Two years ago, Pearce Foundation member Matthew Lenius approached personal trainer and group exercise instructor Rob Ordaz to try to talk him into competing in the Xterra Illinois Wild Triathlon competition. This competition is a bit different than others. It's off road, meaning the biking and running were on trails, gravel, dirt, and grass paths. The swim was in a pond instead of a pool. And this event is a bit longer than most. Never having competed in a triathlon, Rob said yes.

It was tough, but Rob had a great time and competed again this year at the event at Wildlife Prairie Park that included an 800 meter swim, 15 mile bike, and four mile run. Why? "It's an endurance badge, a mental challenge," said Rob.

Triathlons begin with the swim to minimize risk. The competitors are at their strongest. In a pond, you can't touch the bottom and the water is murky. As the pack took off on the 800 meter portion of the competition, bumping and swimming into each other, Rob tried to avoid the crowd, which took him way off course. He swam back to the pack, used a back stroke, and got off course a second time. Even with two detours, he was pleased with his swim time.

As an avid cyclist, Rob enjoyed the 15-mile bike ride most. This triathlon is part of a world-wide circuit. People from all over come with $5,000 to $7,000 bikes. Rob showed up with a single speed mountain bike. "The bike felt awesome," said Rob. "People looked at me like I was crazy for using it. But you don't need a lot a gears because there are so many twists and turns. You can't get much speed. I did really well on the bike because I didn't have gears to worry about. I excelled in the obstacles and the climbs. That's where I could pass people." His chain did fall off three times, and one cost him five minutes. "Overall, the bike was excellent."

Rob's legs were starting to cramp as he went into the 4-mile run. "I didn't cut soda completely out of my diet," said Rob. "I think that, and not training enough, contributed significantly to the cramps." The run was on trails and service roads around the park with a mix of gravel, dirt, grass, broken asphalt, hiking trails, and one really steep decline. Which means, of course, an incline. "The run back up was horrible; quarter-mile steep incline on broken asphalt with slippery moss," said Rob. "Almost everyone walked."

The last few grueling miles included lots of self-talk, telling himself to just keep going, that he was almost done. "I had watched this little seven-year-old boy in the kids triathlon," explained Rob. "He talked to himself the entire time, saying 'determination,' 'determination,' 'determination,' and cheering himself on. That really stuck with me. Most of us look to famous athletes and celebrities for inspiration, but I kept picturing that kid in my head. If he could dig deep and find the will to keep going, so could I."

Why Not Now?

By Raquel "Rocky" Herron, Fitness Manager

Well, I can't believe we're halfway through 2017! I tell you, the time flies when you're having fitness fun!

On a serious note, I'd like to address an issue that most of us have probably fallen victim to at least once or twice in our lives. What is that issue? Procrastination. I think it's fair to say that many of us tend to procrastinate in at least one area, laundry in my case! I can't explain procrastination, or why some choose it more than others. What I can tell you is this, your health and fitness are NOT areas you want to procrastinate in! That's why this article is entitled, "why not now?" I'm simply asking, what's holding you back, why can't you start getting healthy this very minute? Let's look at some common stumbling blocks and ways you can avoid them.

I hear it all the time, "I'm too (insert negative comment we use to degrade ourselves) to go to the gym." What do you "need" to walk through the doors of Pearce and attend a fitness class or visit the weight room? You don't "need" to be anything other than willing to work hard and make a positive change in your life. Stop thinking you need to get in shape before you come to BODYPUMP class. That's why we're here, to help you! I want to help you, as do all the instructors and trainers here at Pearce. Use us! We'll help get you get on track and offer you encouragement and motivation.

What else do I hear all the time? "I'll start Monday." Why not now? What is this proverbial Monday and why does it have such a hold on us? I see and hear it all too often. There is not one special day to start being healthy. It's not, "after this vacation," or "I'll start when I get through these deadlines." Change your thinking right now! Grab some water instead of walking to the soda machine. Ditch the Snickers® and instead grab an apple with some almond butter. Take the stairs to your third floor office and avoid the elevator. There are several ways you can start being healthy right now! Your health will NOT wait for you! Small changes turn into bigger ones and all of a sudden you've created healthy habits. It's a snowball effect and eventually leading a healthy lifestyle becomes less of a chore and more like second nature.

"I don't know what to do." This is a concern I hear from time to time and it's definitely a stumbling block that's worth mentioning. There is so much information out there regarding health, fitness, and nutrition, that it can be overwhelming to someone who's just starting out. Even as a trainer and instructor, I'm bombarded with information from both sides of the fence. The best advice I can give anyone who falls into this category is to seek help from a professional. Pearce has several trainers and instructors on staff who are more than willing to get you started and answer all your fitness questions. We even have a very knowledgeable nutritionist on staff who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. Megan O'Reilly can help guide you in the right direction concerning food and nutrition. Between energetic trainers, instructors, and a top notch nutritionist, you've got all the resources you need to get started on your healthy journey.

Stop what you're doing right now and decide to make a change that will improve your quality of life. Whether that means adding some much needed exercise or deciding to improve your diet, your health is too important to ignore. Don't wait! The time is now to make healthy habits a permanent part of your life. If this means your laundry doesn't get folded so you can get a quick workout in, you have my blessing! Make this the day you take charge of your health! NOW is the time! #doitnow #motivated #whynotnow

Hot Off the Grill! Four Tips for Healthy Summer Grilling

By Megan O'Reilly, AFPA Certified Nutritionist and Wellness Consultant

The summer grilling season is in full swing! Here are a few easy tips to make the most of your grill.

Tip #1: Share or change your focus to vegetables and fruit!

Vegetables: While we often focus on burgers and meat when grilling, it is definitely time to shift some of that focus to grilled vegetables.

Unquestionably, vegetables give us the critical vitamins, minerals, fibers, and antioxidants that can dramatically help reduce our risk of many health conditions and diseases. As a bonus, if you are trying to lose weight, fiber in vegetables makes you feel full longer. Asparagus, eggplant, onions, peppers, and corn keep popping up on cooking channels and blogs lately, as the top 'grill-able' vegetables. Fitness manager and trainer Raquel Herron's family favorite grilled vegetable combination is thickly sliced zucchini and onions, with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Lately my lazy go-to for grilled veggies has been a bag of mixed frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. I throw them, still frozen, on a grill pan, drizzle a little olive oil, and sprinkle some sea salt. It doesn't get easier than that! If you have time, marinating cut vegetables for about 30 minutes prior to grilling adds flavor as well.

Since the USDA recommends half of your plate be vegetables and fruit, why not also give fruit a chance on the grill? Watermelon, peaches, apples, strawberries, coconut, figs, bananas, and cantaloupe make the list of best grill-able fruits. Pear halves filled with feta, walnuts, and craisins are one of my personal favorites.

Tip #2: Experiment for variety.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans tells us to "focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount" (Guideline #2). It might be time to consider variety, and add something new this summer. If you are open to some new ideas, try a Google or Pinterest search using these terms, "sheet pan dinners," "make-ahead foil packet grilling." "salmon patties," "grilled sweet potato boats," and "grilled stuffed avocado." Looking through the library's cookbooks or tuning into a cooking channel can also provide fun inspiration for the whole family. Trainer Rob Ordaz says he enjoys experimenting with a variety of flavorful rubs and seasonings, such as Sriracha, rosemary, oregano, thyme, salt, and garlic.

Tip #3: Save time, grill extras.

Grill once, eat many times! Extras can be reheated and are delicious as is, or added to a wrap, sandwich, egg scramble, rice bowl, or a number of other tasty combinations. I often sneak small bits of grilled vegetables in my kids' quesadillas.

Tip #4: Save prep time.

Let the grocery store do the work for you. The Chillicothe Kroger is well-stocked with ready-to-go grill-able foods, such as pre-made shish-ka-bobs, stuffed portabellas, and pre-seasoned meats. In the freezer section, the Morning Star Spicy Black Bean burgers are a personal favorite, which are especially good with grilled red peppers. Freeze Prep Cook, a small business located on Willow Knolls in Peoria, is another place to check out for ready-to-go grill packets.

So, get out and get grilling! We would love to hear some of your favorite healthy summer grilling recipes or tips.

Coach K Camp

Coach K's basketball camp for kids in 4-12 grades concluded today at Pearce. Of course Coach is an extremely accomplished basketball player and coach, but he is a tremendous mentor and brings deeper life skills to his camps.

He presents the concepts of pride, respect, and hard work over and over in a variety of different ways. Kids learn to behave in a way that they can be proud of, respect others, even competitors and especially adults and yourself, and to work hard to constantly improve.

His camp for kids in grades K-3 will be offered tomorrow and Friday, July 13 and 14. Walk ins are welcome.

Pearce is always excited to have Coach K in the house!
 

 

 

FREE Public Swimming

Wow, tomorrow's temperature looks HOT! Great day for free public swim from noon to 4 at Pearce. Beat the heat in our indoor pool! Everyone is welcome!

Zumba with James

Exercise isn't fun you say? Then you're not going to the right class! Zumba with James at 4:30 every Monday is a blast!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWYdgPKBgK5/ 

Results from the 24th Annual Run For the Health of It

24TH ANNUAL RUN FOR THE HEALTH OF IT, SATURDAY, JULY 8
AGE	NAME	AGE	GENDER	TIME
1	Collin Eisenbarth	14	M	18:32.25
2	Greg Rakestraw	29	M	18:33.27
3	Kyle Reynolds	27	M	18:46.85
4	Robert Lawrence	20	M	19:15.22
5	Matt Rupiper	34	M	19:26.03
6	Daniel Lillyman	61	M	19:32.76
7	Chad McDowell	33	M	19:44.82
8	Leo Vandervlugt	64	M	19:47.28
9	Justin Stear	26	M	20:18.84
10	Wade Ballinger	34	M	20:24.16
11	Scott Buffington	36	M	20:41.64
12	Katherine Schneider	18	F	21:03.39
13	Patrick Stanley	16	M	21:07.12
14	Isaac Hohualin	17	M	21:10.40
15	Jared Smith	32	M	21:17.00
16	Tanner Hahn	13	M	21:58.55
17	Christian Jetton	18	M	21:58.95
18	Ethan Sutherland	19	M	21:59.69
19	Ryan Schulze	16	M	22:06.44
20	Tom Simmons	44	M	22:20.18
21	Brad Adams	44	M	22:31.64
22	Brayden Long	11	M	22:42.37
23	Anne Bosch	40	F	22:44.14
24	Savanah Beavers	14	F	22:56.55
25	Thomas Mullen	60	M	23:11.64
26	Stephen Braun	11	M	23:33.65
27	Rob Ordaz	37	M	23:35.15
28	Kenneth Schneider	52	M	23:47.53
29	Cassidy Earleywine	12	F	23:52.23
30	Michael Ordaz	34	M	23:53.91
31	David Sceggel	38	M	24:08.99
32	Gwen Hemstreet	40	F	24:15.81
33	Brian Long	38	M	24:18.39
34	Debbie Harris	35	F	24:19.23
35	Zoe Irvin	12	F	24:21.84
36	Tony Karl	46	M	24:22.84
37	Darrel Meffert	42	M	24:43.70
38	Robert Robertson	61	M	24:48.52
39	Haille Taylor	18	F	24:51.56
40	Josh McKown	36	M	24:56.84
41	Cecil Taylor	59	M	25:02.97
42	Bronwyn Jetton	15	F	25:04.61
43	Kent Buffington	13	M	25:07.38
44	Jim David	65	M	25:12.42
45	Kenton Barker	16	M	25:17.87
46	Sarah Braun	49	F	25:18.92
47	Carrie Meffert	40	F	25:21.19
48	Karl Belter	46	M	25:25.10
49	Pody Goines	40	F	25:43.09
50	Grace Simpson	25	F	25:46.25
51	Jerry Kolb	54	M	25:54.74
52	Jared Jones	36	M	25:56.21
53	Clay Meffert	11	M	26:07.09
54	Laura Hedden	21	F	26:07.52
55	Diane Legaspi	61	F	26:12.38
56	Jordan Killen	18	F	26:15.63
57	Melissa Meils	33	F	26:16.57
58	Craig Tanner	44	M	26:31.31
59	Nick Reed	36	M	26:37.68
60	Amy White	42	F	27:17.59
61	Allison Irvin	38	F	27:27.77
62	Bob Hentrich	62	M	27:37.38
63	Sandra Hernandez	30	F	27:46.68
64	Celena Anderson	34	F	27:48.84
65	Daniel Razo	66	M	27:50.58
66	Becky Shimp	63	F	28:05.35
67	Harold Placher	61	M	28:33.02
68	Mike Rucker	76	M	28:33.74
69	Whitney Lawson	31	F	28:55.00
70	Gerri Leigh	57	F	29:02.37
71	Mikayla Vail	26	F	29:20.23
72	Senna Stickel	33	F	29:25.56
73	John Lapayne	61	M	29:27.93
74	Donna Clifford	42	F	29:28.07
75	Michael Tomlin	62	M	29:28.10
76	Randy Amundson	55	M	30:06.67
77	Ollie Nanyes	57	M	30:13.53
78	Seandon Buffington	10	M	30:17.58
79	Jaris Scherer	51	F	30:18.68
80	Lindsey Markle	32	F	30:22.34
81	Wendy Call	48	F	31:04.37
82	Sarah Terry	39	F	31:10.36
83	Lori Curtis	59	F	31:32.76
84	Tara Stetson	31	F	31:42.50
85	Debra Cheng	57	F	32:05.79
86	Pat Auge	51	M	32:38.03
87	Denise Amundson	58	F	32:47.10
88	Nolan Smith	31	M	33:21.19
89	Bill Holmes	70	M	33:31.13
90	Mario Velasco	32	M	33:37.19
91	Keith Butterfield	61	M	33:53.36
92	Sarah Eckert	26	F	34:01.95
93	Brian Ehle	32	M	34:42.73
94	Kyle Baker	22	M	34:51.68
95	Stephanie Tomlinson	21	F	34:52.08
96	Brenda Carroll	64	F	36:21.94
97	Justin Swank	29	M	36:23.26
98	Joel Anderson	36	M	36:35.24
99	Andrew Ehle	29	M	37:29.47
100	Ruilleyurina Urquiza	46	M	37:32.73
101	Daniel Vosta	56	M	37:33.90
102	Laura Beavers	44	F	38:13.73
103	Alex Padilla	12	M	38:19.64
104	Joan Johnson	61	F	38:21.14
105	Mary Wheeler	64	F	38:21.81
106	Laura Kolb	58	F	38:46.10
107	Natalie Colgan	43	F	38:46.20
108	Amy Maslen	52	F	39:07.73
109	Maryann Liner	63	F	39:13.55
110	Laura Ehle	32	F	39:21.16
111	Neha Ramesh Chandra	36	F	40:20.71
112	Akshata Nagaraj	27	F	40:20.77
113	Robert Maslen	47	M	40:23.32
114	Genn Oden	34	F	42:00.24
115	Tim Shirley	65	M	44:06.36
116	Jenna Kirts	29	F	46:59.00
117	Barb Kirts	61	F	47:00.00
118	Melody Lapayne	60	F	47:04.51
119	Christine Weber	51	F	47:18.73
120	Dean Kirts	65	M	47:19.00