8/7 WED

Dog Days of Summer Hawaiian Luau*

Featuring the Spirit of Aloha Show

Free Event | Registration Required

4pm-7pm | Outdoor Facility

8/16 FRI

1/2 Off One Guest (one per membership)

11am-Close | Check-In

8/18 SUN

Bounce House

12pm-2pm | Outdoor Facility

Poolside Music

2pm-5pm | Outdoor Facility

8/31 SAT

Bounce House

12pm-3pm | Outdoor Facility

This year's coaching staff: Ruby Dudley, Head Coach; Nell Kacmarek, Lead Assistant Coach; Jordan Maisch, Assistant Coach and Daniella Rupert, Assistant Coach

Lightsaber Dueling

From the desk of Kim Stetson

Liberty Athletic Club is proud to announce that Terra Prime Light Armory (TPLA), directed and co-founded by Chad Eisner, was recently named the official ambassador for the French Fencing Federation (FFE) Laser Saber Academy, in the United States. As Liberty’s director of martial arts, this recognition provides Chad a unique opportunity to grow and enhance lightsaber dueling as a competitive sport.

Chad and fellow lightsaber enthusiast, Matt Fulton, formed TPLA in April 2012, for martial artists and teachers interested in “Star Wars.” Its mission is “to use the LED Lightsabers as weapon analog for historical martial arts in a modern and relevant context, to spread these arts and knowledge to future generations, to preserve the techniques developed by past generations, and to promote healthy and active lifestyles.” 

Imagine the excitement of this group, when lightsaber dueling was recognized by the FFE as a competitive sport in 2018, just six year later! As described by Associated Press (AP) reporter John Leicester, “It’s now easier than ever in France to act out ‘Star Wars’ fantasies, because its fencing federation has borrowed from a galaxy far, far away and officially recognized lightsaber dueling as a competitive sport, granting the iconic weapon from George Lucas’ saga the same status as the foil, epee and sabre, the traditional blades used at the Olympics.”

The physicality of lightsaber competition is one of the reasons the FFE granted its support. “With young people today, it’s a real public health issue. They don’t do any sport and only exercise with their thumbs,” explained Serge Aubailly, the federation’s secretary general. “That is why we are trying to create a bond between our discipline and modern technologies, so participating in a sport feels natural.”

Another reason the federation made this move, explained Jon Porter, writer for The Verge, “is to make an attempt to make the sport more appealing to a younger generation, and it has designed its rules to make sporting matches every bit as appealing as their big-screen counterparts.”

Chad concurs that rules for lightsaber duels promote audience appreciation. Large sweeping motions, colorful illuminated weapons, and costumes contribute to an atmosphere of fun for both competitors and spectators.

Want to give this fun sport a try? Join Chad for Lightsaber Training Camp, for ages 7-18, August 26-30. Or, chose from a variety of classes for adults and children, offered this fall.

For, as Yoda would say: “Try not. Do! Or do not. There is no try.”

Berries

From the desk of Susan Cutshaw, M.S. Nutritionist

Berry season is in full swing in Michigan. Whether you find them at a farmers market, local grocery store, or you pick them yourselves, berries are a healthy summer treat. They can last up to 5 days stored in the refrigerator and will last longer if they are spread out in shallow dish rather than stacked in their original container. Skip washing until right before eating. Washing berries prior to use causes them to absorb moisture and rot.

 

Berries are full of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals plus they are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a natural superfood. The color pigment comes from anthocyanins which contain high amounts of antioxidants, compounds that protect our cells from damaging free radicals and could reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

 

1 cup blueberries = 85 calories, 4 g fiber

1 cup blackberries = 62 calories, 8 g fiber

1 cup raspberries = 64 calories, 8 g fiber

1 cup strawberries = 49 calories, 3 g fiber

 

Healthy Blueberry Muffins (from Cookie + Kate)

Ingredients

Instructions

References

https://www.pickyourown.org/MIharvestcalendar.htm

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-reasons-to-eat-berries

https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-berries-health-benefits

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068482/

http://berryhealth.fst.oregonstate.edu/health_healing/fact_sheets/

https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-blueberry-muffins/

 

2019 Open Tennis Tournaments

11th Annual Grosse Ille Open

August 16, 17, 18

Entry Deadline

Tuesday, August 13 (by 6pm)

40 & Older Southeastern Michigan District Playoffs

On July 26-28 the Liberty 3.5 40+ men and women played in the Southeastern Michigan District Playoff. Congratulations to the 3.5 women, captained by Lichee St. Pierre for winning the Southeastern Michigan Title! They will compete for the State Title on August 10th. Way to go ladies!

3.5 Women's 40 & Older

3.5 Men's 40 & Older

18 & Older Southeastern Michigan District Playoffs

The 18+ 3.5 Men (Captain: Barry St Pierre), 3.5 Women (Captain: Kusull Kim), and 4.0 Men (Captain: Hunter St Pierre) all participated in the Southeastern Michigan District Playoffs on August 2-4. The 3.5 Men and 3.5 Women made it to the Championship Finals, but lost to Franklin Athletic Club. It was a fun, competitive weekend of tennis! Congrats to all Liberty players on a great Summer USTA season!

The 3.5 18 & Older Women were also recognized by the Southeastern Michigan USTA staff as the USTA Team of the Month! They received snacks, drinks, and some USTA swag. Congrats, ladies! 

Nominate your USTA team today at https://form.jotform.com/91274355420150 to get free snacks, drinks and SWAG at your next USTA match!

Fall USTA

Teams are beginning to form for Fall USTA Combo and Singles Leagues. Interested in playing? Please contact Marybeth Putnam at [email protected]. 

Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament

Congratulations to all of our Liberty tennis players who competed in the Centennial Ann Arbor City Tennis Tournament!

Thanks to all who participated in our Member Appreciation Month drawings!

Join the Liberty Team!

 

Looking for a fun and friendly place to work? Liberty offers great benefits, including a free individual membership. 

We are now hiring for the following positions:

 

If interested in employment at Liberty, please contact Katie Potgiesser, Human Resources Manager at 734.665.3738 ext. 118 or at   [email protected] , or stop by the Club and obtain an application at the front desk.