SOUTH CAYUGA—The Beach Ladies Fitness Group is celebrating 20 years of fitness and fun together.
The group gathered on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the South Cayuga Church to celebrate.
In her opening, volunteer instructor Helena Collins took the opportunity to thank all those supporting this group: the South Cayuga Community Church and the Women’s Church Council, Ann Bartlett and Phyllis Gifford for the food and refreshments (for the evening), and Collins’ supporting team consisting of Shirlene Hedden-Badger, Carolyn Schweyer, and Cyndee Case.
Given the event was being held on September 11, it was very important to Collins to hold a moment of silence for “friends, family, communities, first responders, even the four-legged ones, the furry ones, that lost their lives” during the tragic 2001 event, saying, “It’s a big deal to me and I think it means a lot to all of us.”
The fitness group started in 2004 with about 28 ladies and then “grew and grew and grew”, according to Collins, who says the group currently holds at 27 members.
She reminisced about the “lean years in 2011/2012” while they were meeting at the South Cayuga Community Hall. This led her to think, “Wow, I don’t know if we will be able to make it because we needed to put out so much (money).”
Not willing to give up, members pounded the pavement by taking posters to churches and dropping flyers in neighbours’ mailboxes. By 2012 the group was back up to 18 or 19 members, which she says “was great … so everything started to flow again.”
In 2016, the group decided to move to the South Cayuga Church from the South Cayuga Community Hall, thanks to Ann Bartlett, and they have been there ever since.
Not sure if you would fit in? Collins said, “The ages range from the mid-40s right up to 83 and newcomers are welcome.”
Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays (cardio/abs/arms/legs) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Fridays (stretch and tone) from 9 to 10 a.m.
To sign up or inquire about the classes, email helena.collins084@gmail.com or call 905-774-5283.
