Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was in rare form this past weekend! (Bill Giduz photo)
What a great weekend! A little rain did not deter fans from cheering the Davidson College Wildcats to yet another basketball win or stop enthusiastic crowds from cheering the college’s opera workshop production of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” And we still have football on our radar as the Patriots and Giants prepare for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on February 5. Despite dreary, soggy days, January still has a lot to offer.
Yes, indeed. January also has daily reminders on the web, in print and on television that we need to get in shape. Our New Year’s resolutions ought to include exercise, exercise, and exercise so today Around Davidson visits SNAP Fitness to check out their SILVER SNEAKERS program. We also include news from the Davidson Garden Club and two catch-up notes on Fli-Backs and One by One Costa Rica plus a bicycle request.
Silver Sneakers are sizzling hot at SNAP
SNAP TO IT!
Bet you have seen the sign for SNAP Fitness between Sabi Restaurant and Subway at the first roundabout coming off the Interstate in Davidson at Exit 30. (Since BB&T is moving in the next few months to the same roundabout, SNAP Fitness will actually be between the bank and Subway.)
Happy to talk about exercise programs are (l-r) Amie Cennamo (owner), Heidi Nyquist and Dave Fairhall (trainers), Cristi Sims, office mngr
SNAP is partnering with the Town of Davidson to offer a weight loss challenge that runs from February 20 through April 15 with marvelous prizes – for a fee (LINK January 13, 2012 DNN Health and Fitness article). But have you heard about Silver Sneakers (silversneakers.com) which provides a membership at SNAP without a fee? That’s right. There are a lot of gyms in our area but this one is free. It’s true – if you are “old” and have the right insurance carrier.
The website states that “The Silver Sneakers Fitness Program is an innovative health, exercise and wellness program helping older adults live healthy, active lifestyles.” If you have certain Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare supplements to Medicare, SNAP Fitness in Davidson welcomes you fee free. You will receive a fitness assessment, orientation to machines, introduction to their additional programs and discounted personal training. There are even TRX classes (suspension training) for seniors. Further, you can track your attendance and create your own workout routines on www.mysnapfitness.com.”
Dave Fairhall (l) leads a TRX Suspension Training class
How is this possible? Insurance companies are seeing the benefits to regular exercise by seniors and are reimbursed by Healthways Company for each visit by a Silver Sneakers participant. Amie Cennamo, owner of Davidson’s three year old SNAP Fitness Center, smiles when she mentions that she has over 100 seniors enrolled in this program at her gym, one of only 25 of 1400 SNAP franchises who can claim this success. She credits her high senior participation to the fellowship of the seniors attending as well as trainer Dave Fairhall who specializes in training programs for those “more mature” adults – and has a devoted following!
Whether young, old, young at heart, or just needing to get off the couch, visit SNAP this week and see what program fits you. The gym is open 24/7 but for a first visit, come during office hours: Monday through Thursday from 10-2, 3-7; Friday and Saturday, 10-2. For more information call 704.895.7474 or visit www.snapfitness.com/davidsonnc.
GARDENING AND GOURMET TREATS
The Davidson Garden Club wants us to think spring as they promote their annual symposium. They also want us to think spring as they share recipes from their annual May luncheon.
The Davidson Horticultural Symposium XXVIII
The Davidson Garden Club is busy promoting their new cookbook (l) and the Horticultural Symposium with the colorful brochure featuring Bettie Casey's former home on South Street
March 6, 2012, is the date for this year’s symposium. First started in 1985, this will be the 28th late winter gathering of gardening enthusiasts sponsored by the Davidson Garden Club. Held on the Davidson College campus in the Knobloch Campus Center, this year’s theme is “The Roots of Passion: The Inspired Gardener.” The day includes lectures and workshops led by well known people in horticulture. The brochure states that “the program will reveal the role that gardening and botany played in the founding of our nation and how organic principles have been put to the test in European gardens.” For more information, visit www.davidsonsymposium.org or send questions to davidsonsymposium@gmail.com.
Favorite Recipes of the Davidson Garden Club
Founded in 1957, the Davidson Garden Club has a year-end luncheon each May when members bring a favorite “concoction” to share as well as the recipe for the dish. In the late 1990’s it was decided to make a booklet of the recipes to hand out at the first fall meeting. Recently, member Liz Harris found a cookbook publisher to spiral bind these “luncheon treats” and the result is a delightful volume now available to everyone. With bright sunflowers on the cover, the book called “Davidson Garden Club Favorite Recipes” can be purchased at Main Street Books for $12. beginning this week. There are helpful hints throughout as well as “Herb Tips” from Bettie Casey and Ann Williams. It is quite a trip down memory lane for many of us to see recipes from the late Lucy Gudger, Louise Nelson and Polly Lester.
For “modern” cooks who work from their laptops when preparing a meal, the cookbook includes a CD of all the recipes. Proceeds from the sales will go to garden club programs, speakers, scholarships to the symposium and other designations of this non-profit group.
CATCHING UP
Attic finds include original Fli-Back paddles!
Fli-Backs
Remember our notes about Steve Langley and his Paddle Ball King record (Paddle Ball is the modern version of Fli-Back). Well now it is time to remember to look carefully around your attic when cleaning out all the clutter! Around Davidson ran an item about the history of paddle balls and how they, originally called Fli-Backs, were the creation of a furniture manufacturer in High Point, NC.
Recently we heard from Karen Kelly-Mandl of Mount Laurel, NJ, who wrote to tell us that while cleaning out a home, she found three paddles – minus the rubber bands and balls – in the trash. From the pictures on the paddles, she believes they are old, possibly collectors’ items, and is planning to sell them on Ebay. Karen writes, “I read your piece and I am now glad that I retrieved them.”
Thanks, Karen. Fond memories for many of us. And these days, we know never to underestimate the power of the web!
One By One Costa Rica
Last year Around Davidson introduced you to Daniel Wyatt and Alex Lee, good friends and soccer enthusiasts who are teaming together to make a difference in Costa Rica. They are raising money for equipment, uniforms and rental fees on soccer fields in one of the poorest sections of the capital city of San Jose. Daniel and Alex, Davidson residents and tenth graders at Cannon School, will travel to Costa Rica over their spring break to see in person how their efforts are making a difference. Be sure to access their website, onebyonecostarica.com, to learn more.
Currently Daniel and Alex have reached 80 kids in their soccer program and hope to expand to 200 youngsters in the league. As their website states: “Partnering with Pastors William and Anais Padilla, who lead churches in some of the neediest and toughest areas of San Jose, we are working together to make this happen – one by one.”
GOT WHEELS?
A recent email asked if anyone has a bicycle not in use that could be pedaled by a Davidson College senior who does not have a car but does have employment in Cornelius. The job is close enough that a bicycle would be perfect transportation for this young lady. Let Davidsonnews.net know if you can help.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.
