Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 16, 2011 Franklin Lakes Recreation center launches wellness campaign by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Recreation and Community Center is launching comprehensive, community-based programs and activities that focus on health, fitness, and well-being, in an effort to promote Mayor Frank Bivona’s wellness campaign. “With a new year and many good intentioned resolutions, this is the perfect time to introduce the community to our new lineup of fitness classes, wellness initiatives, and health-related events,” Recreation and Parks Director John Ciurciu stated. “With the mayor’s support, we are excited to roll out many new activities and wellness programs for the entire community.” According to Ciurciu, the initiatives will include a new and improved schedule of fitness classes intended to attract a wide range of fitness enthusiasts. Classes will include yoga, Zumba, and small group personal training. In addition, he said performing arts and creativity classes and fitness programs designed specifically for middle school-aged children and teens will be offered later this spring to address the wellness needs of younger generations. “These innovative offerings and programs reflect the recreation center’s commitment to the community at-large and the very diverse interests of its residents,” Mayor Frank Bivona said. The recreation center is also planning to sponsor a community-wide weight loss and wellness contest called “The Smallest Winner.” That program will be based on the television phenomenon “The Biggest Loser.” “Unlike the television show, however, our program will focus not only on simply losing weight, but rather fostering better health through exercise and lifestyle choices,” stated Ciurciu, who advised that program details will be available later this month at the recreation center. Commenting on recent improvements to the center, Ciurciu said the fitness room has been painted and carpeted, a new wood floor was installed, a multi-gym and dumbbell and dumbbell racks were donated, and there is a new policy for per hour rental for multi-purpose room. More time on the turf has been scheduled for lacrosse, and a donation of chest protectors, gloves, and elbow pads has been received. Professional coaches were used for the first and second grade clinics, and the program has all new goalie equipment and nets. Basketball travel team tryouts were conducted with recreation staff and independent evaluators, and a second grade basketball clinic was done by professional. In addition, there were new basketballs for all the levels and a new table top score board. New goals were purchased for soccer, and third and fourth graders are back in the league with new nets and an organized schedule for the use of the McBride Field. All new catchers’ equipment is available for those in the baseball program, and the baseball opening day parade has been reintroduced. Independent evaluators will be used for travel baseball tryouts at no cost to borough. The K-clinic also had professional coaches at no cost to borough, and there will be a free coach’s clinic. The recreation department is starting a men’s softball league. The men’s program will benefit from the donation of a pitching machine, the installation of a new pitching mound, and the donation of a tarp for the field. The recreation department also helped create a new football league. Some rips in the artificial turf were repaired and the field was deep brushed at no cost to borough. Equipment was updated, and the department helped with the first football pep rally. School board incumbents (continued from page 7) McGowan currently serves on the board’s Policy and Curriculum committees, and on the district’s Efficiency Study Committee. She moved to Franklin Lakes six years ago and has two daughters, both of whom attend High Mountain Road School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from LaSalle University and worked as an accounting supervisor for Simpson Thacher and Bartlett in New York for seven years and then as a human resource analyst for KPMG in Montvale for two years. An active member of the High Mountain Road School community, her involvement has included being a Brownie troop leader, class parent, volunteer in the library, and chairperson of the fall book fair for the past four years. Reitz is currently vice president of the school board and chair of the board’s Community Relations Committee and a member of Curriculum and Personnel committees. She is the board’s liaison to the High Mountain Road School Parent Teacher Association. She has been a board of education member since 2005 and has one child attending the Franklin Avenue Middle School and one attending Indian Hills High School. She is a past president of the High Mountain Road School Parent Teacher’s Association and a former member of the Friends of the Franklin Lakes Library. She has served on the Municipal Alliance in Franklin Lakes. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lynchburg College. ������������� ������������������� ��������������������������������������� �������������������� ����������������������������� ������������ NFL vs. FLOW area teams $10,000 Half Court Shot BASKETBALL GAMES Saturday, March 26, 2011 @ Ramapo High School 331 George Street, Franklin Lakes Limited Access VIP Proceeds Benefit Gift of Life Foundation Session* @5:30-7:00pm • Food • First Come First Seated • Autographs with Pros and Celebrity Guests • Photo ops & Giveaways • Reserved Game Seating Advanced Ticket Sales $10 General (Games only) $30 VIP* (Games & VIP Session) Doors Open @ 5 pm Games Start @ 7pm • Multiple Teams • Kids • Parents •Teachers • Coaches Tickets at the Door $15 General (Games Only) $40 VIP* (Games & VIP Session) Dreams For Kids NFL Store Ticket deadline: March 18 Advanced ticket sales are recommended. Pre-paid admission checked at the door Please mail ticket form to c/o Interact Ramapo High School For more information contact mpfleger@rih.org or tbasili@rih.org Food & Drink NFL PROS vs. FLOW Area Teams 2011 TICKET REQUEST FORM Name:______________________________General Ticket $10 x __=$_____ Contact Phone #:_________________________VIP Ticket $30 x __=$_____ Address:____________________________________Total Enclosed: $_____ Please make checks payable to Ramapo High School Sponsored by Interact & Dreams for Kids