Issue 23December 2015

We’re not just a gym...

It come just once a year

Breakfast with Santa

2

The holiday season is right around the corner and I want to thank you all for being members. I hope the holidays and new year brings positive things your way whether it’s goals you set for yourself, changes you’d like to make in your life, or surprises you haven’t expected.

This time of year can brings so much joy and happiness to so many. I was recently blessed with a new baby boy and words can’t express the joy he brings to me and my family. This time of year can bring stress and anxiety as well. The holidays can be a crazy time

of year, very fast paced, and we can get lost in all the spending. I encourage you to slow down, spend more time with family, or reach out to an old friend that you haven’t talk to in years. Spend less and make this year more about family, health, and happiness.

As the stress level rises, we hope you find some time to relax and enjoy the gifts of the season. Amid the bustle and the buying, the eats and the treats, take time to enjoy this time of year.

This issue of Centre Connections has articles, stories, and ideas that I hope you’ll find useful as we approach the end of the year. The Centre has something for children and adults of all ages to enjoy. There are many great events coming up here at the Centre. Enjoy this issue and I hope you’ll find something at the Centre to enjoy as well!

Upcoming Centre Events:Tween Hawaiian Luau December 42nd Annual Jingle Bell Rock - Mother Son Dance December 5Senior Holiday Luncheon starring Elvis December 11Reindeer Dash 5K December 12Breakfast with Santa December 12Kids Night at the Centre December 18

So please join me at the Centre and partake in the holiday spirit. I hope you enjoy the holidays and may the New Year be merry and bright.

Happy Holidays,Vince DreyerProperties Manager

Message from the Centre Team Centre Connections

Highlights3 Kaitlyn and Jessica Reas

4 Coping with the Holidays

5 Healthier Holiday Cookie Recipes

6 BenefitsofTRX

7 Spotlight on Connie Nelson

Issue 23, December 2015

New Richmond Area Centre428 S Starr AveNew Richmond WI 54017715-246-2252www.nracentre.comwww.facebook.com/newrichmond.centre

Board MembersJean Needham, PresidentJill Schreck, Vice PresidentPaul Mayer, TreasurerMarilyn Peplau, Secretary Gary BakkeBill BuellJeff Moberg Patrick Olson

Administrative StaffDarian Blattner, Executive Director Jennifer Williams, Operations DirectorAmanda Fall, Business ManagerVince Dreyer, Properties ManagerLarissa Ruud, Youth, Teen and Family ManagerMegan Lyons, Child Care ManagerColleen Davis, Marketing and Communications Manager & Magazine Editor Evan Baczynski, Aquatics ManagerBrian Schroeder, Member Experience ManagerAmanda Voeltz, Fitness Manager

Centre Mission Statement Health, Fitness and Fun for All Ages

3 Core Value Sustainability As a non-profit, we are committed to developing a sustainable resource engine to power our future.

If You Give These Girls a Book...BY COLLEEN DAVIS, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Kaitlyn and Jessica Reas will most certainly be captivated by it, should you decide to give them a book to read. They are both avid readers and enjoy many varieties of stories.

Kaitlyn and Jessica arrived excited for their “interview”. We talked about a little bit of everything from school to their favorite books. They are both happy, active kids with a proud momma.

The girls had just spent the day at school and it was Walk to School Day that morning. In the words of Jessica, “it was great!” Normally they don’t get to walk to school so it was a special treat. Kaitlyn is a 3rd grader at Starr Elementary and is learning times (multiplication) and division with her teacher, Miss Write. Jessica is in Kindergarten at Starr Elementary. Her teacher, Miss Minch, just came back to school this morning after having a baby.

Kaitlyn shared “reading is my favorite thing. I would read all day if I could.” So I asked her what she would do if she couldn’t read all day and her response was, “I’d write stories and then read them.” She specifically would write spooky stories about goblins. A day sounds like it’s not complete for Kaitlyn until she spends the last 30 minutes of her day laying in bed reading. She talked a lot about a series about a mouse named Geronimo Stilton who is a journalist in New Mouse City. She also likes to read whatever Jessica brings her to read, but especially Dora and a ladybug book. As a family, they all enjoy the Berenstain Bears books but Jessica’s favorite book is Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

After Kaitlyn shared her love of reading, she also talked about how much she enjoys being at the Centre, swimming and playing with her friends Calligh and Makyla. She also likes origami, Minecraft, and recording her miles on a pedometer she recent started wearing – she’s already up to 1,004,543 steps today!

Jessica is busy with a capital B! She enjoys playing outside, sliding down slides, and riding her bike. She likes to play with her Barbie dolls and help her mom in the kitchen. She already knows how to make spaghetti! Jessica talked about being a witch for Halloween and wants her big sister to be her black cat. Sarah, their mom, will be making her witch costume and they plan to go pick out black and purple fabric.I asked Sarah to describe her two daughters. She says Jessica is very busy and has a “life is great” attitude. Kaitlyn is imaginative and often says “let’s try this…” followed by something new to try. She also said they are both very independent.

Family is very important to Sarah and it shows in her relationship with them. Although Sarah is completing her Accounting degree at WITC (she loves being in school) and is active on campus in a couple clubs, she is close to her girls. When her daughters talk, they get her undivided attention. Their relationship is really special to watch.

Centre Member Spotlight

4 Core Value Relationships We choose to share lives and believe that every member has a story. We are open to all.

Good LifeBe Active Eat Wisely Learn & Grow

The impending Holiday season is often met with joy, excitement, and anticipation. After all it’s been hallmarked the “most wonderful time of the year.” Yet for many the Holiday season and dark winter months can trigger feelings of depression, grief, loneliness, and stress. Likewise, this time of year can be particularly difficult for those already experiencing situational stressors related to recent loss of a loved one, illness, economic concerns, and relationship difficulties. The demands of the Holiday season, including time spent with family, shopping, baking, cleaning, and entertaining to name a few, can also quickly add up, creating additional stress that make it increasingly difficult to cope with this time of year.

Self-care is a key component to emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness, yet it’s often the first area of our lives that we neglect.

To take care of yourself, is to be the best version of you for yourself and others in your life. In the spirit of gift giving, it is in fact the greatest gift you can give yourself and those you love. Self-care becomes increasingly important around the Holiday season and winter months. The following tips and suggestions can in fact assist you in coping effectively with the stress and demands of the Holiday season and winter months:

• Acknowledge your feelings. Honor whatever emotions you might be experiencing, which can be difficult when others around you may be experiencing different emotions about the Holidays. Remember that it is normal and natural to have feelings of sadness, loneliness, and grief, triggered by any holiday.

• Reach out. People have the tendency to isolate from others, which can prove to be both helpful and unhelpful in effectively coping. A healthy balance of time to oneself for reflection, but also time with others to support you is important. Likewise, seek out ways to be with others such as through volunteering or getting involved in community groups of your interest.

Coping with the Holidays• Have realistic expectations. Many times we

have expectations of ourselves and others that simply aren’t realistic. Perhaps it’s the expectation of the “perfect” family gathering, or that you complete a task by a certain date and time. When these expectations aren’t met we are left with feelings of hurt, sadness, and disappointment. Learn to say no to others to avoid feeling overwhelmed and run down.

• Stick to a budget. The Holidays are often a time for giving, but can add to an already stressful financial situation. Instead of trying to buy happiness with gifts, identify ways that you can give to others such as homemade gifts.

• Maintain healthy habits. The stress of the Holidays and winter months can result in overeating, poor sleep habits, lack of exercise, overscheduling, etc. Time take for yourself to ensure these habits are maintained year round, and especially during times of increased stress. You may have to be creative about how to maintain these healthy habits.

• Seek professional help. Despite our best efforts to cope with the demands of the Holiday season, the winter months, and life in general there are times where engaging professional help is needed. Depression, anxiety, prolonged sadness, isolation, irritability, changes in appetite and sleep, and suicidal thoughts are all signs that professional help may be needed. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, rather a sign that you want something better for yourself.

Kesha Marson, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Therapist

Behavioral Health Center,

Amery Hospital & Clinic

Centre Member since 2010

5 Core Value Integrity We hold ourselves accountable to our members, community and each other.

Let’s set the scene: The stockings are hung, the menorah is lit, and the cinnamon candle’s scent is wafting through the house. Then, the smell of freshly

baked cookies emerges from the kitchen, and everyone gathers ‘round to enjoy a batch of homemade holiday cookies.

But the real Christmas miracle would be cookie recipes that won’t do damage to those healthy habits! It’s totally time to splurge and enjoy a holiday treat (or seven), so we’re making it a bit easier by providing some better options. From the classic sugar cookie and gingerbread man to raspberry thumbprints and lemon drops, here are several cookie recipes. Go to greatist.com/health/healthier-holiday-cookies for all 48 healthier holiday cookie recipes.

Quinoa and Almond Flour Cookie with Chai Spiced Almond Butter The name might be a mouthful, but this recipe is actually pretty straightforward. The cookies are made with quinoa and almond flour, so they’re safe for gluten-free friends. Make them into sandwich cookies by adding the spicy almond butter or eat ‘em plain.

Pecan Pie Cookie This festive flavor combination isn’t just for Thanksgiving. To make these cookies, just top basic thumbprint cookie dough (made with almond flour, coconut oil, almond milk, and maple syrup) with a spiced pecan filling.

Linzer Cookies Filled with fruit jam and surrounded by crushed almonds and hazelnuts, this is a classy cookie perfect for any holiday party.

Spiced Carrot Cake Cookie With grated carrots and rolled oats as two of the major ingredients, this soft, spicy cookie is a good balance between healthy and indulgent. If butterscotch chips aren’t your fave, sub in dark chocolate.

Raw Chocolate Pumpkin Pecan Macaroon These no-bake treats are practically a health food (practically…). Not-so-unhealthy ingredients include unsweetened coconut, pecan flour, pumpkin puree, cocoa powder, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Low-Fat Gingerbread Cookies Half the fat and all the flavor? Sign us up! Besides, who doesn’t love to decorate these adorable gingerbread men at any holiday festivity.

Eat WiselyBe Active Learn & Grown Good Life

Healthier Holiday Cookie RecipesSOURCE http://greatist.com/health/healthier-holiday-cookies

6 Core Value Health We focus on healthy life choices and support people in reaching their potential.

Be Active Eat Wisely Learn & Grown Good Life

Benefits of TRX TrainingSOURCE www.fitnessrepublic.com/fitness/exercises/benefits-of-trx-training

It may have been developed for the military, but that does not mean that you can’t benefit from TRX training. The concept behind this form of exercise is fairly simple – you suspend your body using a pair of cables on your hands or feet, and then use your own body weight as resistance to work out your muscles. How you position your body on these cables affect the muscle groups you work out as well as the intensity of the work out. Randy Hetrick, current CEO and founder of TRX, outlines some of the benefits of TRX training:

Everyone Can Do TRXOne of the biggest benefits of TRX is that it can be easily adapted to different tastes. According to Randy, people who are generally inclined towards Yoga or Pilates tend to enjoy TRX due to some similarities within the moves. At the same time it also appeals to endurance athletes who want to add a strength training component to their fitness routines. Others find hanging around on suspension cables a “fun” thing to do.

ItIsCompletely“User-Defined”TRX is not just for hard-core fitness geeks – anyone can try their hand at TRX regardless of their fitness levels. The wide range of routines makes it very easy to find one that suits your own level of difficulty and build up as your muscular endurance increases. Complete novices can work out in the same class as seasoned exercisers, and still get what’s right for them.

Never A Dull MomentTRX uses only two suspension straps, but there are infinite ways to use them. Lunges, planks, upper body resistance exercises, you can do it all with TRX and much more. Even swinging on the straps for fun works out your arms. The icing on the cake? You can change your workout to suit your mood on any particular day, so that both your mind and body remains challenged every time. This versatility is precisely why trainer Mike Jones put his client actress Jaime Pressly on a TRX workout. The actress claimed to get bored easily and did not manage to stick to any particular fitness routine for more than two weeks at a stretch. She has now been on a TRX program for six months and does not foresee giving it up any time soon.

BenefitsOfTRXApart from the “fun” and “anyone can do it” aspect, there are several benefits of TRX that may make you want to give it a shot:

All-In-OneTrainingWith TRX, you aren’t just working out your muscles – TRX works out different parts of your body while getting your heart pumping at the same time. According to Randy, most of the exercises on the suspension cables involve so many muscles that your body’s requirement for oxygen is increased tremendously. This gets your heart and lungs pumping overtime to deliver this oxygen to the muscles, making it a win-win for those who want to get a good cardio workout in the bargain.

A Perfect Workout For Athletes And TriathletesThe unique combination of muscular balance, mobility, core strength, and cardio helps to build up the stamina and endurance that will hold you in good stead if you are considering or are already taking part in sports competitions or professional sports. A final word of advice though: despite the numerous benefits of TRX, it is not generally advisable to start it off without the guidance of a professional trainer. Learn the proper techniques for the routines and familiarize yourself with safety precautions before you attempt it on your own. And don’t forget to consult your physician or other health care practitioner before any changes in your fitness programs. Stay safe, and have fun!

7 Big Hair Audacious Goal To become the healthiest community in America

Blessed with BoysBY BRIAN SCHROEDER, MEMBER EXPERIENCE MANAGER

Connie Nelson has worked at the Welcome Center for a little over a year and a half. Having previously owned her own business in downtown New Richmond she loves the face to face interaction with our members. Besides working at the Centre, Connie has worked as a para-educator for the school district of New Richmond for the past 15 years. She currently works at Starr Elementary.

Connie is the proud mother of two boys Grant and Hayden. Both boys attend UW-Eau Claire and play baseball for the New Richmond Millers during the summer. Connie says “God blessed me with boys so I wouldn’t have to sit through dance recitals.” An avid sports fan, Connie loves to cheer on the Wisconsin teams Badgers and Packers.Outside of working for the school district (where she also works all the sporting events selling tickets or concessions) and the Centre, Connie loves to read, scrapbook, and craft. Occasionally she even has time to play tennis. But her favorite activity away from work is shopping! If you see Connie at the Welcome Centre say hi and enjoy your time at the Centre, Connie will be enjoying hers.

Centre Staff Spotlight Spreading Joy this Season

Share your Holiday Greetings with all of us at the Centre!

We would love you to bring in your holiday card for all to enjoy.

Bring the photo greeting cards, the handmade cards, and the

postcards too.

How does Santa get in your house?

membersthoughts5

He comes on the roof and comes in our chimney. I leave him milk, cookies, and carrots for his reindeer. - Aiden

Well he comes in our door! - Danika

I don’t know anything about him but he comes in our door. - Riley

He comes in the chimney and eats our chocolate chip cookies. - Kora

Santa comes in the door. - Madelyn

8

No One Leaves The Same