Monday, November 28, 2011

Session 6, Week 4

This is the kind of fall weather we can all get behind, isn't it? We hope everyone is settled back into their routines this Monday-after-a-holiday-weekend, and trust that all of our members and guests had a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones. We loved seeing out-of-town relatives visiting their families at RiverWinds this weekend, which is what we're all about: family, fun, and fitness!

We're in the Christmas spirit now, though! Our decorations are up and the carols are on the radio...it's in the air, and we're so excited! The Mayor's Holiday Food and Toy drive is now in full swing, and we're planning some great things for the holiday celebration on the 12th at 6:30 p.m. Remember to put the date on your calendar and bring the family for our annual event!

This Thursday at 7:00 p.m. is our Ceramics Workshop, where you can try your hand at new painting glaze techniques. There will be assorted pieces like bowls, plates and vases to choose from, which can make a perfect personalized Christmas gift for that special someone. Likewise, on December 5th at 7:00 p.m., you can sign up for our Stenciling Workshop, making your own unique Christmas Cards or Thank You notes. Why buy when making is so much more fun? And as ever, our arts & crafts classes are open to the public, so you can bring a friend and pick-a-piece together!

Our CPR/AED course will be on Monday the 5th at 6:30 p.m., and you can get your Professional/Health Care Provider certification here. Likewise, we're looking forward to meeting our Lifeguarding class that starts on Thursday: they're in for four days of some intense aquatic education, and we can't wait to see how they do.

Remember that RiverWinds memberships, personal training packages, and Super Class Passes make a wonderful gift under the tree this year, so come on by and get a gift card to tuck away. We'll be looking for you!

We'll see you at the facility!
The Gang at RiverWinds

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Session 6, Week 3

We did it again! We missed a week of blogging! Yikes! Our apologies once more...we've been super busy, and promise to be more on top of our blog in the future.

So what's been going on? So much! We've welcomed the West Deptford High School Swim Team back to the aquatic facility, and are looking forward to hosting their meets starting on December 6th. Check our website for a complete schedule.

We were invited to attend the Underwood Memorial Hospital Health Fair last week, as well. This was a wonderful event and we were excited to be able to sign up hospital employees for annual memberships right there on site.

Discover SCUBA returned on Thursday, and more participants continue to learn about SCUBA and all the sport has to offer. We've also just created our Spring 2012 schedule, posted online. Enrollments are open for these new classes, and many creative Santas are giving the certification as a Christmas gift! Enrollments are open to the public!

We hosted our Lets Pretend playgroup on Wednesday mornings to a great crowd of toddlers and their parents, and are excited to see them progress through the end of the year.

Looking ahead, we'll be stopping by local business Ossur next week to extend to them the extraordinary Business Membership opportunity, and can't wait to meet the employees there. We're also looking forward to hosting a ceramics workshop next Thursday evening. There's still space available, so sign up today, and remember, non-residents are welcome, too!

Finally, remember that RiverWinds is closed for Thanksgiving, but regular hours resume on Friday. Have a wonderful, happy, healthy holiday with your loved ones...and to all our local athletes competing in our West Deptford Thanksgiving Tournament, best of luck!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Session 6 Week 1

Wow, have we been busy! So busy we missed a week of blogging, and for that, you have our apologies. The facility was hopping last week and we barely had time to take a seat, but it was all to help bring fantastic programs to you!

Spookypalooza was, as expected, a phenomenal success. We were overwhelmed by the creativity and enthusiasm shown by our kids and their parents. What fantastic costumes! We posted a ton of pictures on our Facebook pages, but some of our favorite costumes were the Queen of Hearts, the washing machine, and the roller blading pickle. Thanks to the hundreds of participants who made our event another outstanding Halloween program!

Last week saw a wonderfully attended Senior Club meeting honoring our veterans. Vets from wars dating back to WWII were in proud attendance and we were honored to be able to host them. The Club also showcased a string band and the dancing was fantastic! Our 55+ crowd knows how to groove!

The West Deptford Historical Association showcased their new book, Images of America: West Deptford, last week, as well, and there was another amazing turn-out. Residents of all ages flocked to the book signing and learned some incredible facts about our town. Did you know that Eagle Point, current site of the Sunoco Refinery storage facility, once housed the world's largest ferris wheel at the time in an area known as Washington Park? Most of us didn't, either, until this amazing book debuted in our Community Room. We loved seeing so many people come enjoy our shared history.

We've just added our early 2012 SCUBA dates, as many people are calling for the referral program. It's wonderful hearing about so many residents and members who are planning on Caribbean trips for the new year, and dreaming of the warm weather as ours is starting to turn cold. Remember Discover SCUBA will be next Thursday the 17th, so sign up and reserve your spot now!

Kids are off from school this week - as you've surely noticed - so we've added some extra slide hours on Thursday and Friday from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Bring the children to RiverWinds to expend some of that energy usually reserved for recess and gym class!

Holiday hours are approaching: remember that the facility will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. We will have a noon closing on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. All other days have normal hours, so come enjoy the fun!

Are you a college student that requires Internship hours to graduate? You're in luck: RiverWinds is developing an elite program for upperclassmen and graduate students, where college credits are earned and some amazing experience is gleaned in the process. Keep an eye out, as this opportunity is looking to be second to none.


We also enjoyed participating in AmeriSource's Health Fair last week, letting their employees know of the incredible membership opportunity afforded to them as business members. If your West Deptford company is interested in having one of our staff members come explain the opportunities available at RiverWinds, give us a call; we'd be happy to come on site and explain what the facility can offer.

The Mayor's Food and Toy Drive has begun, and your donations of non-perishable food items and unopened toys can be dropped off in our lobby during any open hours. Share in the season of giving and help your friends and neighbors who need it the most.

This is also the last week you can donate your used and worn sneakers for the Nike Reuse a Shoe recycling program. Get those old kicks out of the closet and go green...they'll be remade into any number of new materials, and stop junking up your floors in the process!

Session 6, Week 1 is now underway, so come enjoy your favorite classes or try a new one, get the kids in swim lessons, or participate in a great craft workshop. We've got it all!

We'll see you at RiverWinds, your place for Family, Fun, and Fitness!