Liam Hughes

Sports Coordinator

Visitors to the Newport Recreation Center over the past week will have seen a rare sight: A couple of crazy Englishmen putting 5-11 year old kids though collegiate level basketball drills. There is method in their madness I assure you. The basic premise they work on is that if you expect mediocrity you will probably achieve it. However for many years coach Stephen Pearl has expected greatness of his players, and has seen many of them go on to achieve things that no one else would have thought possible.
Coach Pearl has had players go on to succeed in the NCAA, NAIA, and professional leagues. He has also sent teams to the British final four every year for the last 10 years.
Coach Hughes played college basketball at Oregon State and Western Oregon Universities, and has brought college level intensity to the camps.
Every day camp started out with footwork and core stability drills. These drills are very similar to the ones used by strength coaches at top universities like Oregon State, to help elite level athletes improve their speed and agility. On the first day of camp most of the kids looked like Bambi on ice. Undoubtedly, most people watching at this point felt the coaches had unrealistic expectations of such young kids, but by day four of camp I doubt anyone had that same opinion. The young athletes rose to the challenge and were dexterously performing drills far harder than the ones that caused them to trip over their own feet just a few days earlier.
One parent commented that he had not done any drills like that until he reached college. Our kids are starting at 5! One can only imagine the great things in store for these kids in the future, if every one of us continues to expect greatness and does not accept mediocrity.

Liam Hughes

Sports Coordinator

There is an old saying that goes something like this:
“Teams are built in the winter, but players are built in the summer!”
There is a lot of truth to this statement. In-season basketball practices focus on building successful teams. Much of practice is dedicated to learning team offenses, team out of bounds plays, and other team oriented drills. This is fine, because ultimately basketball is a team game. However if a player is looking to improve their own personal skills, so that they can get ahead of the rest of the team, then they are going to have to work on their individual skills outside of team practice. That’s where summer camps come in. Camps are able to focus on individual skill development, without being encumbered with preparing for a game that weekend. Camps also often give the kids the opportunity to learn the game from a variety of very experienced coaches.

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Liam Hughes

Sports Coordinator

Track and Field is for Everybody!

Possibly no other sporting activity offers as wide variety of athletic disciplines as Track and Field. Yet whenever I talk to people about it they always focus on just the track aspect. I always hear: “well I’m not fast” or “ I don’t like running.” I have a really hard time making people understand that there is so much more to track. We have such a tough time getting large kids to come out and give it a try, because they are concerned about their running ability. Events like Shot Putt and Discus, are dominated by larger bodied individuals. We also have a tough time with some of the really small kids who feel that they can’t keep up with some of the more muscular children in a foot race. While this may be true over a hundred meters, once we start talking about a fifteen hundred meter races, then its an entirely different matter. Kids that once felt they had no athletic talent, are suddenly winning medals, and sometimes even breaking school records.
So give track a try, many find previously undiscovered talent in themselves, and almost all have a great time participating.

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Judy Mayhew

Recreation Superintendent

March 13th was a great day! Several months ago, Ivan Magnum, a local resident and avid “geocacher”, stopped by my office and offered to help put on a geo-caching event. While I have yet to experience the excitement of geo-caching, I realize there are plenty of adventure seekers throughout the world equipped with GPS devices searching relentlessly for their “treasures.” So of course I replied with a resounding “Yes!” to Ivan, and the event was spun from there. My main part in the planning consisted of assisting Ivan and doing whatever he told me to do! He was great about contacting local businesses and organizing the how’s and why’s of the search. On Saturday, participants showed up at the Rec. Center by 10 a.m. where they were divided into 3 groups and given their first GPS coordinates. Then they’d whisk their way to the vendor which matched those coordinates where they had to perform some sort of task. After drinking a cup of chowder at Mo’s, counting starfish and balloons at Starfish Point Hotel, or riding a tricycle at Bike Newport, (to name a few), they would end up back at the Rec. Center, make 3 baskets in the kiddies hoop and make the putt of their life into a plastic cup, and then relax and wait for the door prizes! We got great gifts donated by the vendors who participated, and the participants seemed to be pleased with the event. You can check out some of their comments at geocaching.com. I hope Ivan is up for another challenge – maybe in the fall? We’ll keep you posted! Thanks especially to Ivan, and all the participants and vendors!

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Judy Mayhew

Recreation Superintendent

I am soooooo anxious for spring! My heart soars with the addition of daylight hours! Yesterday, in a brief moment of rain-free climate, I took a look at my flower beds. What is that? Can it be? Green sprouts? It’s true! One tiny little crocus bulb, pushing its way up through the dark encrusted soil of winter! I nearly burst into song! I started thinking about my lawn mower – does it need to be tuned up? Should I buy a badminton set? Can I afford a new barbeque? Where are my summer clothes?

Here at the Rec. Center we are seeing folks with just a bit more spring in their step and zip in their stride, and there seems to be an air of exhilaration in the wind. And I know what it’s all about! They are feeling the change in the weather, seeing the extended daylight, and are encouraged by the fact that spring is just around the corner!

Come and join in on the excitement. There’s new classes starting and we’ve got some great stuff coming up. And if you are feeling particularly spunky and would like to teach a class, please give us a call! We are always looking for new ideas and new instructors. In the meantime, celebrate the upcoming change in the seasons!

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Shannon Rackowski

Personal Trainer

I just finished teaching my third Teen Strength Training Class and I am sold on these young teens. We have always had young people wanting to lift weights; but it can be very dangerous for youths, cause concern for adults, and breakage of the equipment. So in July I decided to offer a strength training class for Youth between the ages of 12 – 14 years old. The idea to teach these youths proper breathing, body form, safety, patience, understanding how their muscles work at this young age, and the respect for others working out around them was my goal!

Making it easy for these youths was not part of the class studies. In fact, on the first meeting of each class I explain to them that they need to take notes in every class or they will not pass. They will have a written exam and a practical exam, which they will be allowed to have two errors in each part. Each test in every class is different so they can’t ask their friends who have already taken the class, for the answers.

This class has become more popular then I even thought possible. The parents love the idea of the kids taking this class for all the right reasons but also it will help them prepare for High School strength training classes. I really think it is about what they receive at the end of the course if they pass. That is a card which entitles them to use the weight room, our circuit training room, speed and heavy bag room, and all of our cardio equipment.

When they pass the first question asked is “when do I get my card”, there is a lot of pride in their faces and that makes me a happy teacher!

Shannon Rackowski

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Judy Mayhew

Recreation Superintendent

Here we are deep in the throes of the holiday season. Are you feeling stressed? Getting enough sleep? I know that I am feeling the pressure. I have friends in Alaska and those gifts have to be sent straight away or chances are they will become New Year presents. I have a niece who is 21 and a nephew who is almost 16 – what on earth do I get them?! There are festivities to attend, cards to write, gifts to buy and gifts to be made. Oh, and lights to put up to prove to my neighbors that I’m not a Grinch! There is the threat of freezing rain, plenty of crisp air, and I’m ever so anxious for Solstice, when we will start adding to our daylight hours! Through all this I must remind myself to take a walk, breath deeply and enjoy the beautiful coastal views that we are so lucky to have. My friends are good friends and if the presents are late they won’t mind, and if I don’t have as many lights as last year, so what? I’m going to enjoy this season, get in a few good walks in-between storms, let the stress roll off my back, and wish for Peace on Earth, and the best of New Year’s for all.

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Liam Hughes

Sports Coordinator

As many people may have noticed the format of this years youth basketball has been a little different from previous years. I assure you there is method in my madness:

This years skill assessment is taking place over 2 sessions as apposed to the single skill assessment session of previous years. This allows our coaches a better chance to look at the kids, and gets us started a couple of weeks earlier, allowing extra time for people who many have forgotten to register their kids to get them signed up and participating. Also this year we will continue holding clinics for the kids on Saturdays until the games start in January. This will benefit both the players and the coaches. It will give the players the opportunity to work on their skills, and it will give coaches a chance to swap ideas. Each week there will be an experience coach leading the drills. They will also beholding coaches meetings before each session, to explain their drills and philosophy. This will be especially helpful for coaches with limited coaching or playing experience.

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Cathy Peltier

Water Aerobics Instructor

Hi, my name is Cathy Peltier. I am the A. M. Water Aerobics instructor Tuesday –Friday at the Newport Pool. I hold a certification from the Aquatic Exercise Association and a Lifeguard certificate. As a member of AEA I receive a monthly magazine. I thought you might be interested in this article as I have mentioned “mindful exercise” in class before. Enjoy, and keep exercising!

The Brain to Body Inter-Connection-Creating Mindfulness

Mind-body exercise may be the new trend in health and fitness, yet it is as old as time itself. The key to successful aging is to have both a sound mind and strong body.

Most of us are aware of the research that has shown that regular exercise may protect us against many chronic diseases and slow down the affects of aging. New and promising research also indicates that exercise may improve certain psychological traits such as increasing energy levels, improving self-image and decreasing mild-to-moderate depression.

The term mind-body has come to mean, “associating with your body while exercising” or being mindful of movement. The following are some tips to create mindfulness into your exercise session.

• Teach your body to relax the muscles not engaged in the physical activity.
• Learn to focus on proper breathing, posture and form.
• Explore techniques that create energy from within rather than deplete energy.
• Learn to enjoy your exercise time and have fun. Eliminate saying, “I have to work out.”
• Physical activity time should be enjoyed and not considered work time.
• Stay positive; stay in the moment. Enjoy the experience moment by moment. Contemplate on the positive things that are going on within your mind and body.
• Forget time, leave your watch behind; forget about training, heart rates, or personal best times. Enjoy the journey and forget about the destination.

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Judy Mayhew

Recreation Superintendent

Thanksgiving is coming quickly and then of course Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza and everything else. I must admit, it never was my favorite time of year. I used to get stressed because I could never be one of those people that make 40 dozen hand decorated cookies for co-workers, or craft their Christmas cards out of paper they’ve made from wood pulp, or knit everybody ridiculously long scarves – just because it seems like a fun idea! I admire people that can do those things, but it’s just not me. It took me years to realize that it was okay if I didn’t hand make everything, and that if I showed up at a party with a great hunk of cheese and some good crackers instead of a casserole that took 4 days to ferment, 2 to marinate, and 3 days of slow-cooking at 200 degrees, it was okay. People like cheese! I’ve figured out too, that I’m pretty good at buying stuff – some say it’s an art, but I wouldn’t go that far. Suffice it to say, the holidays are a busy time and I do what I can to enjoy them while not letting myself get stressed out.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!

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Heather Hughes

Aquatic Programs Coordinator

Here’s something you will never get two people to agree on. Water temperature preferences vary from person to person, depending on their age, health, the activity in which they are participating, and what they have become accustomed to when they enter a pool.

Depending on the target population, multi-use pools are kept at 83-86 degrees Fahrenheit, while competitive pools are usually maintained at cooler temperatures between 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit.

As water temperature increases, costs of pool operation also increase. Besides the obvious cost of energy to heat the pool and surrounding area, evaporation rates speed up and destruction to the surrounding equipment and surface materials intensifies. Chemical usage goes up.

Ambient air temperature in indoor pools should be maintained for the comfort of the participants and instructors who are in the water – not for spectators on the deck. Air temperature should be maintained at least 1-3 degrees warmer than pool water temperature.

No matter what the water temperature, someone is likely to complain that the water is either too warm or too cold. If the water feels too warm, do not wear a swim cap, drink plenty of water, and reduce the level of intensity at which you are working out. If the water feels too cold, wear a swim cap, a rash guard or wet suit, and work faster and harder so that you use more energy and generate more heat.

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Liam Hughes

Sports Coordinator

Welcome to the Newport Parks and Recreation Blog. Our Blog is designed to give you interesting and up-to-date information about what is going on with your Parks and Recreation Department. We hope you find the information contained here both interesting and informative.

Please feel free to contact the authors of our blog articles to ask any questions you may have.

Also, as well as organizing the sports programs, I oversee the Parks and Recreation section of our City website, so please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments you have about our Parks and Recreation Pages.

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Judy Mayhew

Recreation Superintendent

I love the idea of community coming together to celebrate, learn, and experience! Having lived in a small, remote Alaskan town for many years, I am well aware of long winter months and the wait for summer. I always found that winter passed much faster if I got involved with some committee, program, or activity. If somebody was giving a class, I’d enroll, if a non-profit needed my help for a fundraiser, I’d jump right in. Sometimes I’d have to push myself, knowing it was easier to just stay home, but I always had more fun when I was active and keeping busy. I think we’ve got a lot to offer here at the Rec. Center, and we are always looking for new folks to teach a class or come in with a new idea! Try something new this winter – I promise it will make the time go fast!

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Steve Dickinson

Parks Maintenance/ Construction Superintendent

Liam Hughes

Sports Coordinator

I firmly believe that sports can give children opportunities for growth that they cannot find though any other means. The discipline, responsibility, accountability and teamwork necessary to be successful in a team sport environment, carries over into the real world and puts young athletes at an advantage above their peers. 

There are also some correlational studies that show varied positive effects of sports on young adults. It is said that students who play at least one sport are 40% less likely to be regular smokers and 50% less likely to be heavy smokers. Also female athletes in grades 9 through 12 are less than half as likely to get pregnant as their non-athlete peers. That is on top of higher graduation rates and lower occurrence of eating disorders and body image issues.

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Shannon Rackowski

Personal Trainer

This wonderful class was designed for seniors to start moving and boy can these ladies move! I am talking about women in their 80’s wanting to feel better health-wise and spirit-felt. These fantastic women chalked up 150,917 steps, 723 laps around our indoor track, and walked 64.6 miles. How great is that?
Well, I can tell how great that is because they all came back for Phase 2, and we added on an additional 5 ladies to the program!

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Peggy O'Callaghan

Senior Center Coordinator

Objectives of a Health Fair
A health fair is an event to:
Increase health awareness by providing health screenings, activities, materials, demonstrations,
and information;
Increase awareness of local, state, and national health services and resources;
Motivate participants to make positive health behavior changes;
Teach self-care practices.

Recently the Senior Center had a health fair with over 40 community guests sharing information about senior issues.This was an activity-oriented health fair to inspire more learning than a passive look-and-see health fair. Ours was named “All Aboard the Brain Train,” and each station had an activity that was focused on the importance of using your brain to keep it in shape and how to stay sharp minded.
These fairs are a great way for the boomers to get information and resources that are available for their aging parents. It also benefits seniors in honing in on resources needed. Watch for our next fair in October 2010.

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