Where do the years go?  They seem to sneak up on you like a bug on your windshield.  Smack, there it is in your face!  Now mind you, I’ve not been here as long as the Community Center has been open, but my first job with the Department was in the late 70’s at the pool.  Before you start doing the math, I must mention I left for several years and went south.  But, I digress.

Over the years, we have saved a copy of each program guide the Department produced.  It started in 1972 with the first brochure and evolved over the years to the last fun guide in 2010.  Some of the pieces have missing clip art that was cut from one guide and used in a mock up for a future piece.  Really, that’s how it was done back in the day!  Others are missing sections because the offspring of one particular assistant director who will go nameless, decided to cut out the pictures!

Do you have a favorite program, activity, or memory from any of these guides?  If so, please comment below!

We thought John Q. Public would enjoy perusing our past creations and see how far we’ve come.  We’ll start with the sensational 70’…..

Family Fun Day is back and will take place on Sunday, July 24 from 2:00 to 4:30. The lifeguard staff and I are excited to host this event and have great games planned. Bring your family for fun in the sun mixed with a few friendly competitions.

We are bringing back the classic duck races! Throughout the day, participants will adopt a lucky duck in the guard office. All ducks can be identified by a number and the lifeguards will keep track of the parent-duck pairs. Before the start of the race, the duck parents will wait at the bottom of the slide while the ducks are taken to the top. The crowd will then begin a countdown for the ducks release and they will race to the finish line at the bottom. The first duck to cross the finish line is the winner and the duck’s parent will receive a prize!

Another activity planned for Family Fun Day is the water balloon launch. This event is a fan favorite! Use your muscles and our giant sling shot to launch a water balloon onto a target by the slide. Aim for the bullseye, but don’t let go too early or the balloon will land in the pool! Family members of all ages can participate and parents can help their young children if needed.

The frozen t-shirt contest, my personal favorite, is back this year! Hot participants will cool off by untwisting and thawing a frozen t-shirt. The winner of this contest is the first person to wear their shirt. However, there is one catch…..you do not know what size the t-shirt will be! This game is both entertaining to watch and a relief from the sun’s heat. Hint: do not complete this event in the shade, use the heat to your advantage!

Come show off your cannonball talent! We will be crowning the Master Splasher by having a splash contest off the diving boards! Practice your cannonballs and come compete with other members to determine who has the highest and biggest splash. Participants must be able to swim from the board to the ladder. Future master splashers love to sit along the edge of the deep end to cheer and get drenched by those competing for the crown.

Between the events, express your creativity by participating in the deck art activity. Chalk will be provided and families will decorate the pool deck. Draw your favorite Family Fun Day activity or tell us what you love most about the pool. Community Center members enjoy looking at each family’s creation and lifeguards like to learn what families enjoy about the pool.

Mark your calendars for Family Fun Day on July 24. Come prepared for some refreshing family fun and friendly competition. Games are open to participants of all ages and we can’t wait to see your skills.

Did you know that most of the movements you do start in your core muscles? They are hard at work everyday, even when you’re not aware of it. Just walking, bending over, turning side to side and even standing up straight are because of your core working hard. Keeping your core strong can help you stay involved in just about any physical activity, improve your posture and protect you from getting injured.

What are your core muscles? They are the muscles in your abdominals, obliques, lower back, hips and glutes. All of the muscles in your core work together, so it is very important to work all of them to keep them strong. Having both strong abs and back will help with good posture and help prevent back pain. Working your obliques is important because they are used every time you twist and turn. Having strong hips helps you raise your legs up and down. Your glutes are one of the biggest muscles in your body, so those play a major role in moving your legs while you walk or run. Since there are so many different muscles in your core, it is important to always change what exercises you do so you are sure to hit them all. The more you change your workout, the more you are challenging your muscles to work harder and to get stronger. A great way to get started is our new class, grAB a 6-pack.

If you’re tired of doing the same boring crunches over and over, then this FREE class is perfect for you! We will be working all your core muscles in just 30 minutes. Each class will include a short warm-up, exercises that focus on all your core muscles and a brief cool down with stretch. We’ll do exercises with stability balls, resistance bands, steps, and more. This class will have you looking great for summer and back to work (or the pool!) in less than an hour.

Classes are every Monday and Wednesday July 18 – August 24 from 12:15 -12:45pm. No registration required. Bring a mat and water bottle if you can.

It’s summer time!  How do kids want to spend their time?  If you ask them, they will probably want to spend their summer watching TV, playing video games or surfing the internet.  On average, kids will spend about six hours each day being inactive unless someone changes that.  That person is YOU!  Get your kids or grandkids out of the house this summer and get them moving around.

There are so many benefits to having your kids exercise.  The earlier they start exercising (which can include playing sports, riding bikes, swimming and more) the more likely they are to enjoy it. And the more they enjoy it the more likely they will want to keep doing it over their lifetime.  Exercise can also help kids stay healthy and fit which leads to a more active lifestyle.  Regular exercise helps your kids develop stronger bones, establish and maintain a healthy weight and increase self-esteem.  A fun and exciting way to get them headed toward a more active and healthy lifestyle is to get them started in our SPF 45 (Summer Physical Fun) class. 

So, grab your kids, grab your grandkids and get ready for this energetic and fast-paced experience.  This class will get your kid up, moving around and enjoying the great games, exciting exercises and super sports that we have to offer.  Each class will start with a warm-up that includes stretching and a great game to get you moving around.  We’ll jump into a fun obstacle course that will have you racing towards the finish and then we’ll do exciting exercises to make your muscles strong.  Each class will finish with a super-fun sport.  Class is held rain or shine.  When the weather is nice we’ll head outdoors to hike, climb and jump or if the weather is not-so-nice we’ll stay indoors to run, scooter around and hula hoop. 

Come join in the fun!  This jam-packed FREE class if for ages 6-11.  Classes are every Wednesday from 9:15-10am, beginning July 6 - August 10.  Bring your gym shoes and get ready to move!

It seems to me that every year the retailers are jumping the gun for the Holiday Season. The last doorbell had rung for trick-or-treat as the deluge of holiday merchandise hit the stores! My children are very excited with all of the commercials on television showing them the toys and doodads that they ‘need’ to celebrate this season. Watching a child’s eyes light with wonder is an exciting thing!

The tough thing to realize is that there are some families that are going without this season. I’m not talking about missing out on the new video game or the hottest trend- but families that are going without the necessities.  Every year the seniors involved at the Springdale Community Center have donated items to those that are in need through our Giving Tree in the Senior Lounge. This year we will be placing the Giving Tree within the SCC lobby so it may be easier for people to participate without trekking back to the Lounge. You will find items ranging from socks and silverware to bath towels and books.

The best part? These are families from Springdale that we will be helping. So- choose an ornament off the tree, make sure the front desk writes down the number of the ornament and then bring the item (wrapped or unwrapped) to the SCC by Friday, December 10. Your generosity will make a huge difference to these families within Springdale.

Thank you!

The Springdale Sailfish swim team took to the water this year with the goals to work hard, swim well, and have fun!  After a short, but energy-packed, season I am proud to say that team achieved those goals! We were 59 swimmers strong this year and this includes 17 new members to the Springdale Sailfish community.  Fifteen of those new swimmers came from our “farm system”, Springdale swim lessons!

I along with Coach Amanda and the newest member of our team Coach Joanna, worked very hard to meet our goals! Our younger kids made huge strides throughout the season. Many started not knowing all the strokes or not being able to finish a single lap; but by the end of season, many had surpassed my expectations and truly became Sailfish in the water. That is more rewarding than any championship.

The Sailfish finished a strong 2nd in the small team division of the Northern Suburban Swim League (NSSL) Championships! We competed against Norwood, Reading and St. Bernard. While first place was just out of reach (95 points…in swimming terms that not that much) I am overjoyed with the way our kids performed. At championships, 47% percent of our swimmers achieved personal best times on those two hot days! It truly shows that if you work hard at practice you will see the results. We had some bad luck on the second day that cost us valuable points, but our swimmers held their heads high and continued to swim hard! That is a true sign of a champion!

As the season has come to a come to a close, I look back and see that championships are won because of the little things - like coming to practice with the desire to get better, wanting to be pushed outside of your comfort zone, listening to feedback and applying it, and treating every day of the six week season as a way to make yourself better not only as an individual swimmer, but as a member of a team who’s mission is to do their best at the right time. I have no doubt that if the swimmers of 2011 Springdale Sailfish do those small things, there may be some thing even better to talk about next year! Little things really do make the difference.

Thanks to all those people who made this season a success! I am very proud of all my swimmers, parents, and coaches who put the effort into this great season! I couldn’t have done it without you! Can’t wait to see everyone next summer - hopefully, we will have a bunch of new faces eager to swim!

Swimmingly Yours - Coach OJ

This past Sunday we held our very first Cardboard Boat Regatta at the Springdale Pool. Kids and parents of all ages worked extremely hard at creating boats to race (and hopefully not sink!) Our hopes seemed to be dashed when the storm clouds came rolling in. But by some strange stretch of luck we were able to hold our regatta later that day. The clouds parted, the sun shone through, and soon some of the most colorful and exciting boats began arriving.There were boats of every shape, size, and color. There were boats small enough for just one captain and others large enough to hold a crew of three! One boat had streamers and bright colors. Another paid homage to our very own Springdale Sailfish. The next boat was a pirate ship complete with a crew of fearsome pirates. There was even a terrifying dragon, ready to gobble up anyone who might cross its path!

Once all of our captains and crews arrived the race was ready to begin. The first race had five fantastic ships: Dragon Behind, the S.S. Moo, the Ro-Boat, the Floater, and B-Rad. The crews entered the water and the race was on! The Ro-Boat was the first to topple, but the crew managed to climb aboard and make it to the finish. The S.S. Moo had a great start, but soon took on too much water. B-Rad took off down the lane and left a few boats in its wake. Dragon Behind intimidated its competition, but it was no match for the Floater that sped down the lane and ended winning the first race in a mere 52 seconds!

The second race held some heavy competition. The boats competing included: the S.S. Holidae, the Pirate Ship, the Party Boat, and the S.S. Clay. The S.S. Holidae crewed by the lifeguards, needed saving right away as it toppled over and filled with water. The S.S. Clay took off down the lane (unfortunately because it was manned by one of the lifeguards, it was not able to be a winner.) The Party Boat made an impressive start before tipping over and throwing its crew of ladies into the pool. In fact, the Part Boat ladies tried several times to climb aboard their ship, but each time were thwarted by the rough waves! The Pirate Ship made the best showing in the second race and made it all the way to the end before tossing its crew of pirates into Davy Jones’ Locker!

After all of the laughing, splashing, and soaking wet cardboard, we finally had our winners. The Floater won fastest boat, Dragon Behind won Best Looking, and the Party Boat won the Titanic Award for Most Spectacular Sinking! All in all it was a fantastic day thanks to the crews of all the amazing boats. We can’t wait to do it again!

AQUA ZUMBA IS COMING TO SPRINGDALE……………

This NEW class ,Watercize w/Aqua Zumba, is a combination of Latin, International, and upbeat aerobic music, using Latin dance moves with a variety of water fitness routines. It is a fun, safe, and effective workout for all ages and fitness levels. Let your body move through the water while shedding pounds and inches, as well as developing muscle tone and flexibility.

You don’t need to be a dancer for this class, the dance steps are easy to follow!

Come out and move your body to the rhythms in the refreshing water while having fun and enjoying the festive music from the islands.

Aqua Zumba is new to Springdale, but promises to be a fun fitness experience.

SEE YOU AT THE POOL JUNE 9 - JULY 10

Patricia A Cox, AFAA & Zumba certified instructor

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.

I like to think that Dr. Seuss may be referring to traveling with the Springdale Parks & Recreation department with his popular poem!

Although the weather outside is a little frightful, it is a great time to be thinking about “the places you’ll go!”.  At our 2010 Travel Preview you will learn about all the fantastic trips lined up for this year.  There will be one day trips (Belterra, Columbus Ballet to name a couple), and overnight trips (Amish country, Michigan, and western Pennsylvania to tempt you).

The various trips will be provided by AAA Provident Travel, Joy Tour & Travel, and the Springdale Senior Citizens club.  These groups will have representatives at our Friday, January 15^th Preview that will present the trips and can answer your questions.  This is always a fun day for our members and their guests.  You can feel the excitement of faraway places and the camaraderie of friends traveling together.  I encourage everyone to attend.  Please call the front desk- 346-3910- if you plan to attend.

And of course, to finish with Dr. Seuss:

Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Where is the Happiest Place in Springdale?  I’ll give you a few hints. There are puzzles, crafts and trucks. Want to build something? There’s a workbench complete with tools. Rather cook than construct? We have a kitchen stocked with food! Figured it out yet? Oh, come on, it’s Kids Corner, the ‘Happiest Place’ in town!

While you’re sweating it out in the Fitness Center, surfing the net in the Computer Lab or watching a basketball game in the gym, we have an experienced staff to keep your children entertained. It’s not unusual to see me, Agnes or Myra playing while “on the job”. That’s what we do, we interact with the kids a lot. We play on the mats and crawl through tunnels. Oh, wait a minute, let me rephrase that, the kids crawl through the tunnels, yeah that’s better! We read and put puzzles together. Sometimes we encourage independent play with Lego’s, coloring books and games. But, whatever we do it’s FUN!

Kids Corner is filled with everything your child needs for a FUNTASTIC time. We even have a child size bathroom with changing station, so we’re ready for anything!

Next time you want to take some time for yourself, drop your kids off at Kids Corner and see why it’s the ‘Happiest Place’ in Springdale!

Take me to my Funtastic Coupon & More Information!