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Lorrie Ward
Senior Fitness Instructor
Pines Village senior fitness instructor Lorrie Ward arrives at the Campbell Street Caf each morning at half past six to find a crowd waiting for her. The early arrivals, residents of Meridian Woods neighborhood, are eager to get to work in the cafs fitness center and Lorrie is eager to get them moving. I love to see people be active, says Lorrie, who leads fitness initiatives at Pines Village, Meridian Woods and for the citys senior community at Village Park Enrichment Center. At Pines Village, the major 2009 renovation created a fitness center boasting four recumbent cardiovascular machines, two treadmills, two bicycle-like cardio machines and an elliptical machine. Lorrie is certified to provide therapy massages and residents have access to the centers whirlpool spa after workouts as well. The large, airy center also features an expansive picture window affording views of green space, water and a variety of wildlife from ducks to hummingbirds. Some residents find the wall of windows so large, Lorrie says with a laugh, they bring sunglasses to their workouts. On the opposite wall, Lorrie maintains a large board logging each residents total of steps taken, calories burned or miles accumulated from their work on the machines. Lorrie familiarizes residents with the equipment, helps them set goals and monitors both their workouts and their overall progress. She recalls one resident who started exercising at age 100. The gentleman noticed his legs getting weaker, she says, so she developed an individualized program for him on one of the machines. I love to see anybody that improves and gets better, Lorrie says. Their walking is stronger, theyre more powerful, they feel good about themselves. Besides her enthusiasm for what she does, Lorries secret weapon is the simple power of getting active. I dont know how many residents say, I hated coming down here, but after I finish, I feel energized. Lorrie started with Pines Village as a home health aide in 1997. A pilot exercise program begun in 2000 revealed a good deal of interest among residents and a fitness center was opened in a vacant apartment. The recent renovation expanded both the center and residents time on the equipment. Meanwhile, Lorrie had earned her certification as a senior fitness instructor and transitioned to that role. In time, she started up the Campbell Street Caf fitness center at Meridian Woods and began equipment training sessions at Village Park. She comes by her love of fitness from her days as a basketball player and member of the track team at Hobart High School. Now a 60-year-old grandmother of seven who once dreamed of being a physical education teacher, Lorrie continues to practice the physical activity she preaches. I just enjoy seeing them come in and getting good exercise, she says of the seniors in her charge. When I see them improve, that just makes me feel good. And as much as she gives to residents, Lorrie also knows she gets as much or more back from being with them. Each and every resident can teach all of us something, she says. Theyve lived interesting lives, theyve done things that are remarkable. Ive learned so much from them.

Meet Ellen!
Resident Spotlight
At least twice in her life, Ellen Silberman has piped up about community problems in need of solving. And sure enough, as reward for her effort, she was the one picked to implement a solution. Both times, her involvement has helped improve the health of her community. In the late 1960s as the mother of three in Baldwin, New York, Ellen voiced her concern about the growing teen drug problem in the Long Island community. Other parents sent her to a conference on the issue and she soon found herself a co-founder and executive director of the Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse. Ellen earned a masters degree in social work and remained as director of the drug abuse prevention and treatment program for a quarter century, often working 18-hour days to organize school presentations, dances, intervention programs and community-building strategies, as well as raising funds. Later, after retiring to Valparaiso to be near one of her sons, Ellen took up line dancing at Village Park Enrichment Center, then known as the Banta Center. It was fun! Ellen says with the same enthusiasm she seems to bring to everything. But one day the instructor quit and the line dance class was left adrift. Ellen helped organize the students, who began a rotation sharing the teaching duties. Eventually, though, Ellen again rose to the top, took on the full-time responsibility and has now been teaching line dancing to Valparaiso seniors for a decade. After an illness last winter sidelined her, Ellen set a goal of teaching her dance class again on her 87th birthday in May. And I did, she says, with justifiable pride. Now shes looking at the possibility of starting a line dancing class at Pines Village and hoping to get back to her yoga classes at the Valparaiso YMCA just around the corner. Since moving to Pines Village several months ago, Ellen has thrown herself into all the opportunities available. She works out regularly on equipment in the fitness center and she has joined committees involved in activity planning, welcoming, the menu and the book club. Im a joiner, she explains. Pines Village, she says, has opened up new avenues and new people to her. Seniors faced with downsizing and moving to a new home have two choices, she believes. They can feel down about what theyve lost. Or they can connect with others, join in and make new friends. Theres a lot to do if you partake, she says. Its up to the individual and your frame of mind. Ellen has favorite places around Pines Village. She loves the breezes and sunshine on her apartment balcony and she finds the library a comfortable spot to read. But her most favorite spot is what she calls the rotunda the gazebo-like retreat along the enclosed walkway between the independent and assisted living wings. Its so pretty just to sit there and look at the gardens and read, and people are walking by so you can say hello.
To read additional stories about the residents and staff, please go to www. PinesVillage.org

Pines Village Retirement Communities 3303 Pines Village Circle Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

Saturday, August 20th

| 10:00am - 12:00pm

Apartments on Parade & Inside Scoop!

Resident panel shares stories on topics like the decision to move to a retirement community, enjoying new freedom to pursue personal interests, socializing with their peers and never again worrying about home maintenance. Enjoy ice cream and then tour the

Apartments on Parade - See firsthand the

conveniences and amenities that independent living at Pines Village offers.

e Celebrate Life W and welcome you tso celebrate with u

Experience Pines Village Retirement Communities not-for-profit difference first-hand where we put people before profits. Quality, not earnings, is how we measure our success. Run on over, talk to the residents and meet our amazing staff. Call Kathy Sheely anytime at 219.465.9918 or email us at info@PinesVillage.org Community Fundraiser Calendar: Friday, September 30 - 6:00 10:00 p.m. The Rebirth of Cool , Porter County Expo Center The City Lights Band featuring vocalist Beccy Schneider. A nostalgic return of the supper club; cocktail hour, delicious food, dancing and entertainment. Hosted by Pines Village in partnership with Memorial Opera House. Sunday, October 23rd Run for the Ages, 5K Walk/Run. Registration fee, t-shirt and pancake breakfast. Reserve now by calling Amy Page at 219.465.9917 or please visit us at www.PinesVillage.org for more detailed information and event updates.