LAKE HAVASU CITY

2330 McCulloch Blvd. North

Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403-5947

www.lhcaz.gov

Charlie Cassens

Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs

Office – (928) 854-4212 Cell – (928) 486-8879 Fax – (928) 680-4892

October 22, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Spring Frenzy” Wins Statewide Award

The Arizona Parks & Recreation Association has recognized the Lake Havasu City Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Spring Frenzy program with its 2007 Outstanding Active Adult 50+ Program award. Spring Frenzy has steadily grown from first-year with 718 participants in 2001 to 3,432 participants in 2007. Spring Frenzy was designed to offer a variety of activities to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of local residents age 50 and older. The result was a weeklong schedule of classes and special events intended to educate, inform, challenge, test and work both body and mind. The following is a sampling of the classes offered for only $20.00 per person for the entire week:

· PHYSICAL: Kayaking, Canoeing, educational Desert hikes, Geo-caching, an endless variety of Aquatics exercise programs, a Functional Test to determine your real fitness level, skin care for the over 50. Dr’s. Corner – this year’s topics were Age Management Medicine and Alzheimer Disease

· MENTAL: Short story writing, Journaling skills, Yoga, (12) twelve computer classes. Memory Improvement (Posit Science) conducted by Humana, Brain Twisters to sharpen the mind, Adult Spelling Bee, Art – you can draw, Sign Language, Tai Chi, Depression – a Natural Approach and Conversational Spanish

· SOCIAL: Leisure Lounge started each day with coffee and breakfast items donated by our local grocery stores. Theatre, wine tasting (always a hit), several different style dance classes, (3) three specialty cuisine cooking classes, Japanese Calligraphy, Chocolate 101-the history of Chocolate. Desert Wildlife & Flowers and a new addition – Hummingbirds!

· SPECIALTY CLASSES: Identity theft, Avoiding Fraud, CPR, Emergency Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Your Secret Purpose in Life and the popular – No More Fat class. (15) Minute introductory sessions in Massage and Reflexology- scheduled all week long.

· OFF SITE SPECIAL EVENTS: (additional fees incurred)

o Nature Lecture and Sunset Cruise on beautiful Lake Havasu. A lecture on Owls was conducted at Cattail Cove by Elizabeth Enriquez an Arizona State Parks Ranger.

o Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch – a weekend at the ranch filled with horseback riding, hay rides and hot tubs, line dancing and cookouts. A special rate was offered making this a much sort after event.

o Golf Tournament and Luncheon –at London Bridge Golf Course.

o 50’s Sock Hop Dinner Dance - A stroll down memory lane - an activity that sold out - brought an end to Spring Frenzy 07.

The last few years have provided an International flare as an exchange of instructors from Japan and South Korea have come to demonstrate their aquatics programs and their culture for our participants. Continuous feedback helps improve the quality of classes offered and broaden the subjects covered in order to stay current and responsive to the needs of the adult community.

The Arizona Parks and Recreation Association is a non-profit, professional organization formed in 1951. The APRA is designed to operate for the promotion, broadening and improvement of parks and recreation in Arizona and offer services which help members become the best parks and recreation service providers.

Contact: Masako Ko – 453-8686

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Photocut:

Holding the APRA award for Spring Frenzy is program coordinator, Masako Ko. Joining her from left to right are program organizers Patti Mentch, Marion Sample, Judy Kozak, Maxine Amen, Ginny Young, Bill Leonard, Jean Farrell, and Kathy Anderson.

(photo courtesy LHC Parks & Rec. Dept.)