December 2010

December 2010 • www.marionlivingmag.com • 1

2 • marion living magazine • December 2010



Table of contents

Publisher/OwnerJim Muir

Creative DirectorStephanie Milligan

PhotographersCeasar MaragniChristopher Kays

Contributing WritersHarry BoydLila H. CollotonDon GasawayCeasar MaragniJim MuirJon MusgraveBernie PaulDixie TerryGeorge Trammell

5

Making Marion Go........................................9

Collection Sheds Extend Deer Season........................................11

Altmix Honored........................................14

6

PublisherFrom the

Odds & EndsCarnegie Library

For more information regarding Marion Living call Jim at 618-525-4744. For advertising information, call Cheryl at 618-353-8515.

Making Her Mark........................................12

Motorcycle Mama........................................21

Tribute........................................16

Zumba........................................26


December 2010 from the Publisher

Greetings and welcome to the December issue of Marion Living Magazine.

While the main focus this month will be Christmas and the final month of 2010 December also serves as an anniversary for us here at Marion Living Magazine.

In November 2008 I purchased ML from Marion attorney Bernard Paul and we published our first magazine in December 2008 – which of course means this is our second anniversary of churning out a monthly magazine here in the ‘The Hub.’

During that 24-month span we’ve tried to establish our own identity, we’ve taken a somewhat different approach in presenting stories about Marion than the previous regime and all-in-all I have to say I’m happy with the course we’ve taken and the direction we’re heading.

This month’s ML truly has a little something for everybody, from Zumba to a motorcycle riding dog, to a new bed and breakfast in town, to an honor bestowed on a local banking executive to another great feature on the people that ‘make Marion go.’ As I like to say often say Marion Living is a monthly smorgasbord – with a little something for everybody to enjoy. I believe we fit that description once again.

Here at ML we’re looking ahead to 2011 with great excitement and optimism and believe that with the new destination development we could be on the cusp of something big taking place. While we look ahead with great anticipation I think it’s also appropriate today that we look back two years to the goal for ML that I established in December 2008. In the very first Publisher’s Greeting that month I wrote:

“As far as my vision for the direction this magazine will go, that can be summed up very simply. Marion is often referred to as ‘the hub of the universe’ and we plan on being a small spoke in that hub. In a nutshell, we plan to present you a monthly written and pictorial view about the way Marion works, plays, relaxes, worships, celebrates and educates. Really, our vision can be summed up in the name of this magazine – Marion Living – because we plan to promote every aspect about how Marion lives.”

Two years, hundreds of stories and 24 issues later I believe we’ve met and exceeded that goal. But, certainly we are not going to rest on our laurels and instead plan to continue to try and come up with new features, story ideas and columns about how Marion lives.

Finally, and most importantly, I’m speaking for all the staff at Marion Living when I say that I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And in all the hustle, bustle and excitement of the holiday season don’t lose focus that Jesus is the reason for this season.

All the best and God Bless!

Jim Muir, Publisher


Adult Anime Night • Wednesday, December 1 • 6 p.m.Open to adults 18+ who are interested in anime.Friends of Marion Carnegie Library Meeting

Wednesday, December 1 • 6:30 p.m.Everyone is welcome!

Holiday Open House • Monday, December 6 • 4 to 6 p.m.Visit the library and see our beautiful holiday decorations. Santa Claus will make

an appearance, as well as Christmas carol singing and activities for kids!Meet Me in St. Louis • Thursday, December 16 • 2 p.m.

A free classic movie plus popcorn! In the year before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the four Smith daughters learn lessons of life and love, even as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. The 1944 classic stars Judy Garland and features the

song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Approved for general audiences.

Holiday ClosingsFriday, December 24; Saturday, December

25 and Saturday, January 1.Coming in January:

Make 2011 a healthier year! We are scheduling Zumba classes, Weight Watchers meetings and other health-related offerings. For more information or to give us your suggestions, call 993-5935.

MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Odds & Ends

206 S. Market • 993-5935 • www.marioncarnegielibrary.orgHours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

All programs are free and open to the public.

Lego Club • First and Third Monday • 6 to 7:30 p.m.Come to the Children’s Department for a fun-filled evening of Legos.

Games Group • Tuesdays • 4 p.m. Open to teens of all skill levels. Games include chess, checkers, Go.

Storyhour • Wednesdays • 10 a.m.Stories, snacks and activities for pre-school age children.

Cards Group • Thursdays • 4 p.m.Open to teens. Members are interested in playing card games.

Anime Club • Second Saturday • 1 p.m.Open to teens.R

egu

lar

Even

ts

Marion Carnegie Library’s new coffee bar, Carnegie Commons, is now open! The coffee bar is located on the library’s main floor. Carnegie Commons hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new addition features lemonade, cappuccino, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Prices range from $.75 to $1. Snacks available include Special K bars, trail mix, danish, muffins, fruit bars and Rice

Krispies treats, all priced at $.50-$.75.

Carnegie Commons


Adult Anime Night • Wednesday, December 1 • 6 p.m.Open to adults 18+ who are interested in anime.Friends of Marion Carnegie Library Meeting

Wednesday, December 1 • 6:30 p.m.Everyone is welcome!

Holiday Open House • Monday, December 6 • 4 to 6 p.m.Visit the library and see our beautiful holiday decorations. Santa Claus will make

an appearance, as well as Christmas carol singing and activities for kids!Meet Me in St. Louis • Thursday, December 16 • 2 p.m.

A free classic movie plus popcorn! In the year before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the four Smith daughters learn lessons of life and love, even as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. The 1944 classic stars Judy Garland and features the

song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Approved for general audiences.

Holiday ClosingsFriday, December 24; Saturday, December

25 and Saturday, January 1.Coming in January:

Make 2011 a healthier year! We are scheduling Zumba classes, Weight Watchers meetings and other health-related offerings. For more information or to give us your suggestions, call 993-5935.

MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Odds & Ends

206 S. Market • 993-5935 • www.marioncarnegielibrary.orgHours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

All programs are free and open to the public.

Lego Club • First and Third Monday • 6 to 7:30 p.m.Come to the Children’s Department for a fun-filled evening of Legos.

Games Group • Tuesdays • 4 p.m. Open to teens of all skill levels. Games include chess, checkers, Go.

Storyhour • Wednesdays • 10 a.m.Stories, snacks and activities for pre-school age children.

Cards Group • Thursdays • 4 p.m.Open to teens. Members are interested in playing card games.

Anime Club • Second Saturday • 1 p.m.Open to teens.R

egu

lar

Even

ts

Marion Carnegie Library’s new coffee bar, Carnegie Commons, is now open! The coffee bar is located on the library’s main floor. Carnegie Commons hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new addition features lemonade, cappuccino, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Prices range from $.75 to $1. Snacks available include Special K bars, trail mix, danish, muffins, fruit bars and Rice

Krispies treats, all priced at $.50-$.75.

Carnegie Commons


Sponsored by Southern Illinois Health Care

tephanie Willis says she was just a young lady when she answered the front door

23 years ago to find Marion Mayor Robert Butler standing there. He had come to offer her a job as Director of the soon to open, new Boynton Street Community Center on Marion’s south side.

Somewhat surprised, both by the offer and the mayor’s courtesy of a personal visit to extend the job offer, Willis accepted. Thus began a two decades long career for the 1980 Marion High School graduate, that has seen the Center grow both in popularity and the number of programs and services it offers the community.

m a k i n g

S

Story & Photos by Ceasar Maragni


Willis said the biggest change she has witnessed during the Community Center’s history is that in the early years they just served people in the closest neighborhoods, but now they serve people from all parts of the city.

“That’s good though, because we’re here to serve the needs of Marion, regardless of where you live.”

It doesn’t take long visiting with Willis to see that Butler’s pick for the Center’s Director those many years ago was a wise one. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at John A. Logan College. Her academic career was shortened there when she started a family, and became a mother. That didn’t slow her down though, because soon afterward Willis enrolled at SIU where she took classes, worked full time as Boynton Street Community Center Director, and fulfilled her role as a mother, then graduated from SIU with her Bachelor’s Degree in 1992.

To this day she stresses the importance of education to the young people who visit the center each day. In fact she has words of encouragement for those kids who say they can’t afford to go to college.

“It can be done. It’s rough, but it can be done. We can’t be victim to our excuses!” Those same young people might be surprised to learn that Willis is currently working at finishing her Master’s Degree at SIU. Besides her busy schedule at the Center, Willis finds time to stay active at her church, Paul’s Chapel in Marion. Besides doing mission work there, she is involved in the music ministry and is a trustee. She leans on her faith each morning before going to work, praying “Lord I hope I’m able to touch somebody today and have an encouraging word for whoever comes in that door and is in need of it.”



The warm winter sun reflects off an ivory spike sticking up out of the snow. It is a shed, a deer antler dropped by a buck that nor longer has use for it. Nature’s way of telling the buck that the mating season was over and it is time to concentrate on making it though the winter.

Perhaps shed collecting began as an off shoot of post season scouting. Now it has become a serious hobby. With substantial deer herds and thousands of acres of forest, Williamson County and southern Illinois are great locations for the family to hunt sheds.

Deer grow their antlers beginning within a day or two after they shed the previous year’s growth. Spurred by the growth hormone released from the endocrine system, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are leached from the bones and deposited as salts on the antler pedicel by a network of blood vessels beneath the skin. The skin that covered the pedicel and is now growing rapidly over the newly forming antler is called velvet.

The velvet is supplied with 12 blood vessels carrying blood to the antlers and a like number back to the body. Some more blood courses up through the center of the antler causing the antlers to have an internal body temperature. Antler growth is one of the fastest known forms of tissue growth. The antler will grow as much as 1/4 inch per day. This process takes a toll on the deer, draining it of much of its minerals. He will eat the surrounding vegetation and if the soil minerals have been depleted, his antler growth will be less. He needs those minerals to grow big antlers.

Beginning with June 21st, the longest daylight of the year, the lessening daylight triggers the pineal gland and the endocrine system. A tremendous surge of testosterone causes the antlers to solidify from the base toward the tip. This hardening continues until just before the antlers are cast off in the early part of the next year.

The exact date when a whitetail buck will shed his anglers varies a lot from deer to deer and from one location to another. Generally speaking, deer lose

their antlers sometime in February but some bucks will keep them until late into spring.

In order to be successful at finding shed antlers, look in areas where deer spend a lot of time during the late winter months. Wait until the snow has melted before hitting the woods. It does not take much snow to cover completely an antler.

Cast antlers are not easy to see in the woods. Most of the time, unless one is looking right at it, an antler is difficult to find. Collectors report standing in a particular area scouring it for antlers, when all at once one appears. It might even be in an area that had been surveyed hard and not an antler seen. As a rule of thumb limit the search to about a 15 to 20 foot radius.

Bedding areas are a good place to locate sheds. It is because bucks spend so much of their winter time in bedding areas. By staying there, they are able to get by with up to 30 percent less food. They need to rest and feed to replenish fat stores. Winter feeding areas cause deer to congregate. South facing slopes are good place in hilly areas. They get less snow and more sunlight. The first grasses of spring and the warmth on the colder days are greater on south slopes.

In more open country, fence crossings are a good place to check for sheds. Because of the way a deer’s knees work, they land with their knees locked. If they are jumping a fence on hard frozen ground, the shock is often enough to jolt off one or both antlers.

Shed collecting gives you a preview of what can be found next fall in your favorite hunting area. The buck that dropped those sheds has survived the hunting season.

Free information regarding motel accommodations and points of interest is available from Williamson County Tourism Bureau, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion, Illinois 62959 or by calling 1-800-GEESE-99. Information is also available online at: visitsi.com, the Williamson County Tourism Bureau website. The e-mail address is: [email protected].

Collection Sheds Extend Deer Hunting SeasonBy Don Gasaway


Making Her MarkBy John D. Homan

Finding solutions for student problems is where Lauralyn Cima shines at JALC

CARTERVILLE – Lauralyn Cima said her greatest reward as Director of Registrar Services at John A. Logan College has been working with students over the years and helping them find answers to their problems.

“That’s the one aspect of my job I enjoy the most,” said the Marion native. “I get the greatest satisfaction when a student comes to me with a problem and we are able to work out a solution.

“For example, if a student is having a difficulty in a class or unsure of what major to choose, we have great resources on campus to help them with these problems,” Cima said. “I know they will get all the support they need through the Student Success Center and Placement Office. I have colleagues here that make my job easier and fun each day.”

The daughter of Kenneth and the late Pat (Hudgens) Pate, Lauralyn has two sisters – Pat Tarrant, who owns Taco John’s in Marion, and Leanne Pate, who died in June.

Lauralyn and her husband of 22 years, Jeff Cima, a teacher in Carterville, who coaches football in Marion, have two children – Derek, 18, a student at Logan, and Devyn, 14, a freshman at Marion High.

“I was born in Marion and moved to South Dakota when I was 3 years old,” Cima said. “But we moved back to Marion when I was 12 as my dad retired from the VA (Veterans Administration). I have lived here for the last 33 years with the exception of one year when Jeff taught in Columbia, Illinois.


“While it was exciting to live close to a big city in St. Louis, I did not want to make that our permanent home,” she said. “Living close to family was most important and Marion had everything that we needed – good schools, affordable housing, job opportunities. I honestly couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in Southern Illinois.”

A 1983 graduate of Marion, Lauralyn attended Murray State for two years, but then finished her bachelor’s degree at SIUC in psychology. She went on to earn her master’s in educational psychology there.

In February of 1991, Cima was hired by Logan. She will celebrate her 20-year anniversary there in two months.

“Lauralyn does a wonderful job for us at Logan,” said Terry Crain, Dean for Student Services at the college. “She has worked in Student Services during her career here and always has the student in mind. Her expertise in academic advisement, admissions and records functions, as well as all aspects of the college, has been a tremendous benefit to our area. We are very lucky to have her.”

Another colleague, Jane Minton, Director of Academic Advisement, was every bit as enthusiastic.

“Lauralyn and I started at about the same time at JALC. She is one of the most organized and efficient people I know. Her work ethic is amazing. She is totally committed to excellence when working with both students and her peers. It is a delight working with her.”

Cima has interests outside the college. She and her family are members of the Aldersgate Methodist Church in Marion and Lauralyn is president of the Omicron chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

Her main focus, however, is the family.

“Not surprisingly, we love sports,” she said. “From August to November, you will find us at the Marion High School football field. And this spring, you will find us attending Devyn’s softball games. I am very proud to be a part of the Marion community and appreciate the support people here have shown our kids.”


Ray Altmix, president and CEO of The Bank of Marion was named the “Outstanding Member” of Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) for 2009-2010. The announcement was made during the association’s annual convention, held recently in Louisville. This is the highest honor given to a member banker and is bestowed annually upon the banker who best represents personal and professional involvement in both CBAI and in the community-banking profession.

Altmix has served in various capacities as a CBAI leader for several years, including two terms as a CBAI Group Director. He is politically involved, recognizing the importance of relationship-building with elected officials. Altmix currently serves on

the board of Community BancService Corporation, a subsidiary of CBAI, where he truly makes his presence felt.

In recent years he was the primary catalyst in the development and adoption of many successful programs. He serves on the board of Illinois Transfer System, which delivers SHAZAM™ EFT services to 260 Illinois financial institutions. Altmix’s bank also assisted in the expansion of the Midwest Office Supply program into southern Illinois to better serve CBAI members in that part of the state. He also serves on the special organizing committee for the new Community Bankers Health Care Solution, also a subsidiary of CBAI. Thanks to his efforts, the bottom lines of many community banks will benefit for years to come.

CBAI is a professional trade association representing approximately 430 Illinois commercial banks and thrifts, and their 930 Illinois bank branches. Its members have $70 billion in assets and employ approximately 18,000 individuals. CBAI, headquartered in Springfield, was founded in 1974.

Altmix Honored The Bank of Marion president and CEO named

"Outstanding Member" by Community Bankers Association of Illinois


16 • marion living magazine • December 2010 Story & Photos by Ceasar Maragni

Tribute

Debbie Hayes Returns to Marion and opens Jasones Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant on West

Main Street

December 2010 • www.marionlivingmag.com • 17Story & Photos by Ceasar Maragni

Jasone's staff from the left, waiter Aaron Haarmonn, owner Debbie Hayes, Chef Jason Frady, and waitress Jenna Akin.

ebbie Hayes grew up in Marion then left the area as a young adult, moving to the east coast where in time she married, became a successful businesswoman and raised a son. Then a variety of

circumstances lead to her hometown return, and she is now the proud owner of Jasones Bed-Breakfast and Restaurant.

Jasones, located at 1414 West Main Street inside a stately, century old brick home often referred to by locals as the “Aikman House” has gotten a fresh look following Hayes' purchase of the home from Heartland Regional Medical Center.

Prior to their ownership it was the long time residence of local businessman Wayland Sims. It was through the urging of her sister Debbie Troutman to return to Marion that Hayes first considered a return to her hometown.

“After we talked about it, I decided to start watching for property listings

D


“People have been just great. I feel like when the word gets out

and around Southern Illinois that things will pick up even more.”-Debbie Hayes, Owner Jasones-

in Marion while I was living in upstate New York. When I saw that the Aikman house was for sale, I prayed about it and decided to buy it and turn it into a bed and breakfast and restaurant.”

That was in February and soon thereafter Hayes undertook a months long remodeling and redecorating project that resulted in the beautiful place she has now. In mid-September she opened for business. She has been busy

ever since and is pleased with the public's response to her business.

“People have been just great,”she said. “I feel like when the word gets out around Southern Illinois that things will pick up even more.”

There are four bedrooms available with individual baths in each, with one of them designated a honeymoon suite. The restaurant is opened Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required for dinner meals and must be made 24 hours in advance. There is also a gift shop.


Hayes said that she named the house Jasones in memory of her son Jason who lost his life in a tragic vehicle accident in 2002.

“Jason was the love of my life and he was preparing to attend Johnson & Wales Culinary institute to become a Master Chef with the dream of opening his own 5-star restaurant,” she said.

Jasones is both a tribute to him as well as something I've always wanted to do myself."


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MotorcycleMama

No, that’s not an illusion, that’s Daisy Mae – Marion’s four-legged motorcycle-

riding mutt

Anyway you add it up … it’s a dog-gone good story.

If you've seen a man riding a motorcycle around Marion with a dog as his passenger, don't take it for an illusion or check your medication it’s just Clyde Towle of nearby Pittsburg and his furry friend Daisy Mae. And for the record Daisy Mae loves riding atop the gas tank of her owner’s Honda Nighthawk.

It’s a good bet that Daisy Mae has logged as many miles as many of the area’s top motorcycle enthusiasts. Whenever Towle pulls out of his driveway on his motorcycle, Daisy Mae is probably going along for the ride too. If she isn't, Towle says, “She wishes she was.”

Towle took Daisy Mae into his home nine years ago.

“My niece lives in Anna and she knew I was looking for

Story & Photos by Ceasar Maragni


a dog,” Towle said. “So one day she called and says that she has found the perfect dog for me. She said that a woman there was looking for a nice home for her little dog. I met Daisy and have had her ever since.”

Towle says that Daisy Mae didn't take to riding along with him on the two-wheeler until about a year ago.

“One day I got on my bike for a short spin around and suddenly Daisy Mae runs alongside me and jumped up, trying to get on my lap,” said Towle. “So, I cradled her atop the gas tank, and she's loved to ride with me every since.”

Towle says he's very careful to have his arms ready should she slip a bit, but that's never happened yet to the sure-footed little girl.

Towle says that they get a lot of stares when the two are out riding.

“The amazing thing is that I can get up to 55 or

“One day I got on my bike for a short spin around and suddenly Daisy Mae runs alongside me and jumped up, try-ing to get on my lap. So, I cradled her atop the gas tank, and she's loved to

ride with me every since.”

– Clyde Towle, Daisy Mae’s owner –


60 miles an hour and she's able to ride like she doesn’t have a care in the world,” he said.

Now that cold weather is upon us Towle says he won’t be riding quite as much as he does during the warmer months, but that whenever he does fire up the bike's engine, Daisy Mae gets excited, adding “I had another dog years ago before Daisy, but she wasn’t as smart as her.”

“One day I got on my bike for a short spin around and suddenly Daisy Mae runs alongside me and jumped up, try-ing to get on my lap. So, I cradled her atop the gas tank, and she's loved to

ride with me every since.”

– Clyde Towle, Daisy Mae’s owner –

24 • marion living magazine • December 2010 Mark your calendar for next year’s Lights Fantastic Parade December 3, 2011!

Event SponsorsCity of CarbondaleCarbondale Convention & Tourism BureauSouthern IllinoisanWSIL-TV3MediaComWithers BroadcastingCarbondale Park District

BenefactorsE. T. Simonds ConstructionWest Bus ServiceCarbondale Main StreetRobco AudioVitamin World, IncGreat Boars of Fire

PatronsJames & Kathleen FralishB and A Travel ServiceSouthern Illinois Sports ConnectionSouthern Illinois UniversityBarrett Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke LLP

Memorial SponsorsSouthern Illinois HealthcareSouthern Gas CompanyIllinois Liquor MartsClifford & Virginia NeillGayle Klam

Banner SponsorsCarbondale Hearing CenterForbes Financial GroupDr. Michael Durr, DMDNeuroRestorative

ContributorsLarry & Marlene DietzClifford L Coleman MDJamestown Management CorpDr. Fredrick Gustave, DDSDr Paul Ploegman, MDVirgil A Beadle, DDSKarl & Sandy BartelsmeyerCommon GroundsMichael Ellis & David Decker

DonorsPat & Barb HewsonLarry’s House of CakesMurdale True ValuePaul & Catherine BennettPepsiMidAmerica


Dutch GutteringServing the Heartland Since 1979

Seamless Aluminum Guttering • Repair and Service • 5” Residential, 6” CommercialLeaf Guard Protection • Storm Damage

Free EstimatesServing all of Southern Illinois

[email protected]

Mark your calendar for next year’s Lights Fantastic Parade December 3, 2011!

Event SponsorsCity of CarbondaleCarbondale Convention & Tourism BureauSouthern IllinoisanWSIL-TV3MediaComWithers BroadcastingCarbondale Park District

BenefactorsE. T. Simonds ConstructionWest Bus ServiceCarbondale Main StreetRobco AudioVitamin World, IncGreat Boars of Fire

PatronsJames & Kathleen FralishB and A Travel ServiceSouthern Illinois Sports ConnectionSouthern Illinois UniversityBarrett Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke LLP

Memorial SponsorsSouthern Illinois HealthcareSouthern Gas CompanyIllinois Liquor MartsClifford & Virginia NeillGayle Klam

Banner SponsorsCarbondale Hearing CenterForbes Financial GroupDr. Michael Durr, DMDNeuroRestorative

ContributorsLarry & Marlene DietzClifford L Coleman MDJamestown Management CorpDr. Fredrick Gustave, DDSDr Paul Ploegman, MDVirgil A Beadle, DDSKarl & Sandy BartelsmeyerCommon GroundsMichael Ellis & David Decker

DonorsPat & Barb HewsonLarry’s House of CakesMurdale True ValuePaul & Catherine BennettPepsiMidAmerica


ZUMBA! High energy music and dance classes prove to be popular in Marion

Story by Cindy Gunnin Photos by Ceasar Maragni

Fitness instructor Tina Avery started Zumba the way most people do – she bought the videos and started trying out the workouts.

But Avery learned very quickly that the high energy music and dance steps were addicting and decided to share them with her friends. In August, she opened Marion Zumba Fitness on Industrial Park Road and since then has been packing the studio several times a day.

“I just hired two additional instructors,” she said. The work is already underway to double the size of the dance floor because at her 6 p.m. class, the most popular of the day, students are finding they don’t have enough room to move.

And movement is the key to the Zumba workout. The workout is sort of like traditional aerobics, but to a Latin beat and a whole lot more fun, she said.

Zumba instructor Tina Avery leads a Zumba night session in Marion.

December 2010 • www.marionlivingmag.com • 27Story by Cindy Gunnin Photos by Ceasar Maragni

The system was developed by celebrity fitness expert Beto Perez in Colombia after he forgot his music for a regular aerobics class. Perez grabbed the music he had with him and improvised a class combining Latin music and salsa and meringue dance techniques.

The resulting high energy class started attracting attention and this year, estimates are that 10 million people a week worldwide participate in a Zumba class.

Zumba Fitness has sold more than three million DVDs in the United States and become one of the hottest fitness crazes around. The reason, Avery said, is that it is “exercise in disguise.”

People come to the class to have fun and end up with a great upper body workout, she said. Most people expect the dance moves to work the legs, but with the belly-dancing and Latin-style hip movements thrown in, the workout begins with a person’s core and extends to all major muscle groups.

First time visitors to the class remark that the class is fun and make plans to return often before they realize just how good the workout was. Tammy Waters of Crab


Orchard said that they day after her first class she felt every muscle in her body and she can’t wait to go back.

Avery said that enthusiasm for the dance program was what attracted her to it. “I bought the DVDs and I crazy loved it. I knew that teaching a class would be great,” she said.

What was perhaps a bit surprising was that the classes appeal to all fitness levels. “We have older women who come out that used to call it their weekly exercise and now they call it their therapy,” she said. From 70-year-old women to wheelchair-bound young men, the class encourages people to participate as much as they can without being too much.

“We offer instruction in a class called Zumba Gold, for people with more movement restrictions, but what I’ve found is that people don’t want a segregated class. Putting all fitness levels together helps increase the energy in the class and make it more fun,” Avery said.

The dance steps are easy to follow, she said, and people can up their level of participation depending on their own health and fitness levels. Because it’s about having a good time, people aren’t meant to feel bad if they can’t do everything, especially on the first try.Avery is a certified Zumba instructor, having taken the classes through Zumba Fitness, and her next step will be to get certified for Zumbatomic which targets children ages 4 to 12. “Then mom

“We offer instruction in a class called Zumba Gold,

for people with more move-ment restrictions, but what I’ve found is that people don’t want a segregated

class. Putting all fitness lev-els together helps increase the energy in the class and

make it more fun.”

– Zumba instructor, Tina Avery –


can drop the kids off for some exercise and get some errands run while they’re here,” she said.

Zumba classes run for about an hour, with warm-up and cool-down included. Right now, at the studio at 1811 Industrial Park Road, Suite D, Avery offers classes Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays she also has an 8 p.m. class and on Tuesdays and Thursday, the late class is at 7:15 p.m.

A single Zumba class is $9 and walk-ins are welcome. Once people are more interested in the class, Avery offers a punch-card for $60. The card is good for 10 classes and has no expiration date. Right now, she is only equipped for cash and checks, no credit or debit cards.

Women aren't the only ones participating in Zumba classes.

Zumba dancers work on their balance skills.


Bank of MarionMarion Civic Center

Marion City HallCarnegie Library

Wm. Co. Senior CitizensMarion Chamber of Commerce

SI Hospice17th Street Bar & Grill

Black Diamond H-DWilliamson County Tourism

EtceteraDoug’s Lock and Key

BenniesAdams Shoe Store

McDonalds (2 locations)Medicine Shop

Penn zoilNAPA

Bank of HerrinComfort Suites

Quality InnHoliday Inn

America’s Best InnDrury Inn

Country InnFairfield Inn

Mid Country BankUS Bank

Garden Gate Florists

Golds GymIdeal Lawn & Tractor

Hampton InnQuiznosSubway

CVS Marion Post Office

Triple E BBQEZ AutoDays Inn

Econo LodgeValvoline

WalgreensSuper 8

Marion Office CenterBorowiak’s

BanterraPit Road RacingPapa Murphy’s

Motel 6Alltel

Marion Health CareHeartland Regional Medical

Fifth Third BankApplebees

RegionsGray Plaza

Best One Tire

Is available at these locations:

If you would like to be a distributor for Marion Living call 618-525-4744.



Ask your service representative for details.

APY*

on GIVING balancesUP TO $25,000on CASH

balances UP TO

$25,000

APY*

Nationwide

ATM fee

refunds*

Plus,with every qualified debit purchase

to give.*

Choose your charity:

®

Date post:	06-Mar-2016
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December 2010

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