Volume 4 | July 2018
July 2018 NEWSLETTER
“If you would get exercise, go in search of the springs of life.”
---Henry David Thoreau

We open July’s newsletter with one of Henry David Thoreau’s inspiring quotes, a simple
reminder that you don’t need to be training for an Ironman or the Olympics to benefit
from a gym. Exercise solely to clear your mind so you can better focus on the important
things.

July is the perfect month to honor our homegrown world-renowned philosopher. Henry
David was born July 12, 1817 as David Henry, not Henry David on Virginia Road. He
transposed his names because David Henry aka Henry David was a bit of a rebel from
the start.

As Henry David, he set out on July 4, 1845 to live deliberately in a little house (today it
would be an on-trend Tiny House) along the mosquito-infested-albeit-awe-inspiring
shores of Walden Pond. It was during his now infamous two years, two months and two
days there that he acquired the material for ‘Walden,’ his memoir that still resonates
across time and cultures.

On another July day, this time in 1848, HDT was hauled off to jail for refusing to pay his
poll tax, which was already six years in arrears. A poll tax was paid by men for the
privilege to vote. (As women could not vote during this time, they were not expected to
pay a poll tax, and therefore could not become famous by refusing to do so.) HDT said
he would not support a government that supported slavery and war. The Mexican-
American War was in full swing, as was, sadly, slavery.

Though he spent only one night behind bars, (his aunt bailed him out and paid his debt,
which HDT was very upset about because he wanted to prove a point) he came up with
the insightful content for ‘Civil Disobedience,’ another masterpiece.

HDT is going to share some thoughts on each of the following posts. In at least two
cases, HDT aficionados may spot a slight variation from his original work. That’s
because we took license to make a few hairline tweaks to a word or two. We are
positive HDT would not only approve, but would have insisted. Now, the many reasons
to enjoy July!
JULY 4 MINUTEMAN CLASSIC 5 MILE ROAD RACE 1 MILE FUN RUN

‘To the healthy person the winter of their discontent never comes.’

Philosophy and literature aren’t the only revolutions around here. Concord is also home
to the American Liberty, where the first shot of the American Revolution was fired at the
North Bridge in 1775. We celebrate every Independence Day with a 5-mile road race
through town. Anyone 12 and up is eligible. This race is USATF Certified, so you may
use your time to qualify for other races. There is a digital display and a print out at the
finish line. The start is 9 a.m., in front of the Hunt Gym.

Awards are given to the top male and female runner in each division. All pre-registrants
receive a T-shirt. There is a $20 fee. You may register online, in person, over the phone
and on the day of the race. A small fee may apply on race day. Give yourself time to
register and receive a bib. NO DOGS OR STROLLERS!

‘Every child begins the world again.’

Still waiting for your 12th birthday to roll around but want to show off your speed, grace
and agility? Well, we have the race for you. Come on down to the Minuteman Classic
Road Race a little early for an 8:30 start to our one-mile Fun Run. There is a $10
entrance fee, which you can get from your allowance, birthday money or, if you’re really
lucky, someone else. A parent or legal guardian will have to sign your registration form,
so be sure to bring them along.

Register early and receive a commemorative T-shirt. We can’t think of a better way to
kick off the Fourth of July than a brisk run around the park. We hear competition is
fierce, so start training now!
LIFEGUARD TRAINING COURSE

‘Above all, we cannot afford not to live in the present.’

We here at Beede know you can never have enough Lifeguards, yet we also know the
certification courses can be elusive. Therefore, we have added another four-day class in
July. The class runs Monday July 9 through Thursday July 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This program is intensive and includes both classroom and aquatic instruction.

Attendance is mandatory. Sign up online, over the phone or in person. Class size is
limited and this course is in demand. Participants must bring lunch, refreshments, water
bottles, towels and swimwear appropriate for rescue training.

This class is open to anyone who will be at least 16 years old by July 12. Participants
will be certified as lifeguards upon successful completion.
101 REASONS TO EXERCISE

‘Both for bodily and mental health, court the present.’

We’d love to share a list of 101 good reasons to exercise, but let’s be real. We don’t
have the space and most of you wouldn’t read it anyway. Why bother? We’ll just share
Bob Schwerin’s enthusiasm here. Like HDT, Bob is celebrating a birthday in July. On the
ninth Bob turns 101 years old. What’s truly remarkable is his commitment to exercise.
Bob has been an active participant in Sue Lerch’s Wednesday Arthritis Class for more
than 10 years. He’s confident he’ll be there for at least another 10. He credits regular
exercise with keeping his mind, body and soul aligned, and connecting with enjoyable,
like-minded people.

An interesting factoid about Bob: He used to go to school with HDT, back when HDT
was DHT, and said DHT was a bit of a know-it-all and, right in the middle of class, would
blurt out statements like: ‘What does education do? It makes a straight-cut ditch out of a
free, meandering brook,’ which totally annoyed the teachers. We’re joking. Bob is much younger than DHT/HDT and did not go to school with him. His older brother did.
BEEDE CENTER SHUTDOWN WEEK

Our annual shutdown is Monday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 26. We are closed for maintenance and upkeep. Please plan accordingly.
JULY 4TH WEEK

July 3: Beede Center closing at 5pm

July 4: Beede Center, Hunt Gym and Church Street Studios are closed
WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES

The National Weather Service states that, on average, more thunder and lightning storms strike in July than any other month of the year. We have to close the natatorium (fancy word for ‘pool area,’) from the first indication of either thunder or lightning and we cannot reopen it until at least a half hour has passed since the last strike or burst. This is nonnegotiable. Please check online or call ahead if a storm is forecast.
OODLES OF NOODLES

‘How much of beauty—of color, as well as form—on which our eyes daily rest goes unperceived by us!’

Recreation Supervisor Mardi Hutchinson brings in a colorful new batch of noodles for the pool.
Beede Swim and Fitness Center
498 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742
978-287-1000
beedecenter.com