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The Citizen, 2007-01-18, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2007. By Shelley McPhee Haist A new year is a perfect time to make a new commitment to exercise and fitness. The Fitness Centre at the Betty Cardno Centre in Clinton has a number of programs to suit. Along with the popular classes for women, the centre is offering strength training classes for men, personal training sessions in the fitness centre and evening classes for adults. Wilf Kleser, a volunteer fitness instructor from Clinton is leading a personal training program for men and women. Kleser will meet with individuals or with small groups, three to four people, to set up personal programs. This will include introducing people to the fitness equipment, helping individuals set their own targets and teaching proper techniques on the equipment. The six-week program encourages individuals to use the fitness equipment two to three times a week. Individuals will work on their own, and Kleser will provide personal training support. “Many people may be unsure how to use fitness equipment and this personal training program offers an opportunity to get some advice and also to be able to enjoy using the fitness centre on their own time,” says Cheryl Phillips, exercise co- ordinator at Town and Country Support Services. The fitness centre is a fully- outfitted professional facility with state-of-the-art equipment including a recumbent bicycle, elliptical machine, tread mill, strength training multi-gym. The centre and exercise classes are popular programs offered by Town and Country at the Betty Cardno Centre. The programs are led by trained volunteers like Kleser. Kleser is an energetic and enthusiastic advocate for fitness and exercise. “I’m a good example of a turnaround,” he says. “1979 was a turning point for me. I was a heavy smoker and my doctor warned me that I wouldn’t live to see my grandchildren if I didn’t change my lifestyle.” Kleser quickly came to enjoy the benefits of exercise and has taken many courses to be a fitness instructor. He has belonged to cycling clubs, has taught aerobics classes and he continues to train and instruct “for the love of it.” Along with the personal training program, Kleser is leading a men’s fitness and strength training program – offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Betty Cardno Centre. The class includes 20 minutes on the weight equipment. “At 40 years of age you can still improve your health with strength training. At 75 years old you can work to maintain your activity levels and prevent decline. At any age fitness just makes you feel better and improves your self- esteem,” Kleser says. Men are encouraged to sign up for the exercise classes. Men and women are welcome to take part in the personal training program. As well, other popular exercise programs at the centre include: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7- 8:15 p.m. with Ingrid Bos, Monday and Thursday mornings from 9-10 a.m. with Polly Powell, hiking club – Friday mornings – 8 a.m. As well the fitness centre is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and adults are invited to come in and try out the equipment. “People of all ages – both adults and seniors need to engage in cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises to stay healthy and maintain as much strength and functionality as possible,” adds Phillips. “Muscles don’t get weak and out of shape because you get older, but because they’re not used,” she says, noting that an elastic band will weaken and break when it’s not used. For more information on exercise programs at the Betty Cardno Centre, contact Cheryl Phillips at 519-482- 9264. Top shape Wilf Kleser is leading men’s fitness and strength training classes and personal training sessions at the fitness centre at Clinton’s Betty Cardno Centre. January is a perfect time to check out the classes offered. (Photo submitted) Seniors get fit in January at Betty Cardno Centre Rec director lists Hockey Days highlightsThe weekend celebrationof the passion that unites allCanadians, Hockey Days in North Huron came to a close on Jan. 7, but was it a success? Director of recreation and facilities and the driving force behind Hockey Days Pat Newson thinks so. “The events were all well- attended, the feedback from the people who attended the events was that it was really well done and they enjoyed it. Overall I think it was a success,” Newson said. “We had a lot of positivefeedback from people whoattended as well as from thegeneral public and NorthHuron council has also beenreceiving some very positive feedback. We’re very excited about it and we hope that we’ll be able to do it again next year.” Newson says she hopes to make Hockey Days in North Huron an annual event, but that she will have to go to council to make it happen. However, she doesn’t think she’ll have any problems due to the success of this year’s event. Newson will appear before council at their committee ofthe whole meeting inFebruary with a full reportwhich will involve budgetand her recommendations forthe coming year. Newson lists the most successful events as the all- star game, the breakfasts in Wingham and Belgrave, The Bulls and Ironmen games as well as the visit from the Hockey Hall of Fame, which was a very late addition to Hockey Days. “The visit from the Hockey Hall of Fame was a huge hit. A lot of people came out to see that,” Newson said. “We had heard that the Stanley Cup was coming toWalkerton, so we had e-mailed back and forth to getthem to swing by becausewe’re so close. They wereunable to do that with the tight schedule the Stanley Cup has, however they were able to bring their other display. Some businesses stepped up to cover the cost of that, so they sponsored it and it was really a wonderful addition to our event. That’s how it all came together, just the week before.” The only problem that Newson had was a possible lack of staff, which is something that she will striveto correct next year. “I think anytime there’s anew event, it’s alwaysdifficult to predict everythingthat may happen. I think that most of the problems were behind the scenes and not really reflected in the public, so that was a positive,” Newson said. “I think our committee was a bit worn out, so I think we’ll try and recruit more help next year and get more people involved. For a few people it was a long weekend for them to work all of the events. So I think that better planning to bring in more volunteers next year wouldbe a great help.”Hockey Days werementioned briefly at Jan. 8’sNorth Huron councilmeeting. With Newson not in attendance, not much discussion could take place on the event, but everyone expressed their satisfaction with the event. Reeve Neil Vincent even said the biggest problem that he heard about the whole weekend was getting kids to stop playing the road hockey game and getting them home because they didn’t want to stop. By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen It’s the 20th Anniversary of that heart-warming February event in support of the Perth Chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario: The Orr Insurance Heartburn Day, Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Stratford Coliseum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Once again Master of Ceremonies for the day is Eddie Matthews from CJCS 1240/Mix 107. They are again at capacity for participant spaces, so there is bound to be something to tempt everyone, from the mild side to those who are willing to brave the real scorchers. February is Heart Month across Canada and Heartburn Day is the kick-off event for the door-to-door fundraising campaign. Each year, Heartburn Day is made possible by the generous support of local businesses, the community at large and a dedicated and talented group of volunteers. As in previous years, a panel of local celebrities will judge the chili. The judges will be sampling for consistency, taste, appearance and after-taste, and there is a separate category for the hottest chili. As well, the Best Display Award is determined by food presentation, decorations, costumes, work involved and overall appeal. New this year is the HeartSmart Chili Award. Participants can visit the HSFO website to find great recipes. There is a nominal charge of $1 at the door this year and children 12 and under are free. Every paid admission receives one free door prize ticket. There will also be entertainment for the children, activities with Perth- Middlesex Early Years Centre and photos with the Orr Insurance Antique Fire Engine. There is the Healthy Lifestyle Information Display along with great information from other local groups concerned about good health. Stratford Taoist Tai Chi will be on hand to offer a demonstration as well as some special surprises on our stage. This year’s silent auction is back with over 75 beautiful items to bid on. The currency for this event is “chili tickets” which are purchased at the ticket booth and used for chili, door prize tickets and other beverages and refreshments. Enjoy the best chili around and help support life-saving and life-changing research in the fight against the leading cause of death amongst Canadians – heart disease and stroke. Everyday, six people in the area are hospitalized due to heart disease. Support funds world-class research into the root causes of heart disease and stroke. Visit the website at www.heartandstroke.on.ca We Couldn’t Celebrate Our 135th Birthday Without You. Remember when the whole community pitched in to help a neighbour in need? That spirit lives on at South Easthope Mutual. We’re here when you need us and have been for 135 years. Working Together For Insurance That Works. Call Us Today. South Easthope Mutual Insurance 1-800-263-9987 www.seins.on.ca Farm & Urban Property •Auto Insurance Heartburn Day in Stratford, Feb. 3