This summer: Cardio for all!
Other healthy activities include walks with mayor and police chief
The City of Lebanon is partnering with the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA this summer to offer healthy activities for residents of all ages, including free cardio-dance classes at Coleman Memorial Park.
The City of Lebanon healthy community summer program is being organized by Michelle Remlinger, an administrative secretary for the Lebanon Police Department who also works as the Y’s healthy living and group exercise coordinator. Funding for the program is being provided through a Pennsylvania Department of Health grant and donations from local businesses.
"We just thought it would be a good thing for the community to have some activities for the summer,” Remlinger said. “Because of my involvement with the YMCA’s healthy living and group exercise programs the mayor entrusted me to do a community wellness program in the city.”
Mayor Sherry Capello is also taking an active part in the wellness program by hosting three “Walk with the Mayor” one-mile walks, Remlinger said.
"I did see across the United States there are only a handful of these Walk with the Mayor programs,” she said. “I know the mayor is very into fitness. She is at the Y almost every day, so I didn’t have to twist her arm.”
The mayor’s walks will be held at the following days and times. It is free and there is no registration required. All participants will receive a free pedometer, as long as supplies last, and health tips from Remlinger, including how to create a walking program. In the event of rain the walks will be held on the Y's indoor track.
- June 24 at 9:30 a.m. A south side neighborhood walk leaving from the Lebanon Municipal Building , 400 S. Eighth St.
- July 18 at 6:30 p.m. A north side neighborhood walk, leaving from the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA, 200 N. Seventh St.
- Aug. 22 at 12:30 p.m. A downtown walk, leaving from Ninth and Cumberland streets parking lot.
The mayor is not the only one leading walks around the city this summer. Police Chief Todd Breiner will also be conducting '"Walk with a Cop" safety walks for children ages 6 to 12. Participants will receive a free "I Walked the Beat" T-shirt, a safety book, water and snacks provided by sponsors that include Bob Phillips State Farm Insurance, Lebanon Federal Credit Union, Rohland Funeral Home and Giant food store.
The Walk with a Cop events will be held on June 13 at 6:30 p.m.; July 22 at 9:30 a.m.; and Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. Each will embark from the Lebanon Y. In the event of rain the walks will be held on the Y's indoor track.
The walks are free but participation is limited to 25 kids, so registration is required. Registration forms can be obtained at the Lebanon Y, the Lebanon police station, located in the Lebanon Municipal Building, and online at the city's website, lebanonpa.org. The deadline for registering is one week prior to each event.
Another healthy activity being organized by Remlinger is called Dancing in the Park and will feature free professional instruction in popular dances like Zumba, LaBlast, Salsa and Cize.
The one-hour classes will be held on the upper parking lot at Coleman Memorial Park on each Saturday at 9:15 a.m. starting June 3 and continuing through Aug 26. There is no registration required but participants are advised to wear proper shoes and attire, and to bring a water bottle. In the event of rain, the classes will be held at the Y.
The Lebanon Healthy Community Summer Program will conclude on Sept. 30 with the Second Annual Lebanon Cops for a Cure 5-K Run and Pink Mile. The event, which benefits the YMCA's Pink Complete Program for Breast Cancer Survivors, will be held on Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. at South Hills Park in South Lebanon Township. New this year will be The Pink Mile, which participants will be able to walk or run.