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Health & Fitness

Sometimes You Need An Amazing Friend

Follow the Senior Circuit at Brentwood Recreation Center. Meet the "gang" Join them. It's fun to get fit.

Some of the most amazing people I have met get together twice a week. They are not the young and the restless, but they are the Bold and the Beautiful.  All are over 50, most are over 70! They do not meet at doughnut shops or high-end coffee bars. They do not meet to complain, though they probably have every right to announce aches and pains.  They have been through things that could curl your hair at the telling. They have amazing pasts. They meet without fail, unless they are very ill or weather is impossible. They are from SitNBeFit class and Ice Skating Coffee Club.

There is a special place in our hearts for them at Brentwood Recreation Center. They smile and cheer us up if we are down. They are generous to share their wisdom or a delicious recipe. They are not afraid to try hard. They keep active. They want to keep fit. Come visit with this group of the greatest. Warm, welcoming and supportive, the group is a mix of varied political views, a broad religious spectrum, different social strata, even a variety of nationalities, a true melting pot of real adults.

Over the next five weeks (or more), we would like to share bits of their stories. You know, everybody has a story. We invite you into their lives. We hope sharing just a frame or two of their adventures will entice you to become a part to the movement.  We invite you to come join them. May we introduce…

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Tom Reichard (“Thomas E.”, he says, “because my son is Thomas M.”, one of his 9 children with his sweet wife) is a young 82 years old, a retired research physicist. Born in Dayton, Ohio, he was not an athlete in his youth. He was a heavy smoker and a bit of a drinker. At 26, he quit the Monsanto company softball team because he couldn’t run and breathe. At 30, he decided to clean up his health so he started running. He ran religiously for 3 years but still couldn’t breathe. Diagnosed with COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he could have stopped, taken oxygen therapy and disability. NOT TOM! That was the beginning. He started biking and speed skating. His biking/skating helmet says it all “GO FAST”! Going fast hasn’t been easy. Tom has demolished his knee, totally smashed his face, crushed his ribs and right shoulder and broken his ankle, all between 1989 and 1993. He says with all the parts he has had replaced, he is the bionic man. No stopping him! He won the 3 Missouri State championships biking and 6 Missouri State championships Speed Skating with Senior Olympics medals too numerous to mention. Tom is willing to help beginners and pace for the advanced skaters. Come on over and meet the gang!

Joanne Reilley is the instructor of SitNBeFit class. She has been a fitness instructor for Martha Rounds Academy for over 30 years, a job she started in 1975. Growing up in St. Louis, she has been married for 55 years. Her 3 children and 8 grandchildren are an honor to her outlook on life. She says, “Be POSITIVE! It is better than being negative. Who wants to be around that?” She smiles and adds, “A sense of humor is REALLY important!” The students in her class love the encouragement she gives them. It is amazing to watch the bubbly interaction between students and instructor. Joanne turns the interview toward their accomplishments. Wow! Who wouldn’t want to be in the room for an hour with this atmosphere? Need a boost? Come join them, 11 am to 12 noon Tuesdays & Fridays.

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Next week meet Lloyd (Bud) Schultz and Marlowe Meyers. They are amazing, too.

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