A neighbor of mine asked me recently if all Sun City sports groups âhibernated,â or canceled activities, during the winter. He assumed that clubs such as softball, tennis, bocce ball, biking, and anglers took the winter off, hunkered down to survive the winter storms and cold, and waited, perhaps impatiently, for spring.
The fact is, however, that no sports group hibernates at all. Some take their activities indoors at various area venues. Others spend the winter making future plans, such as accepting registrations for next spring/summerâs activities, or meeting to hear talks by experts in their various sports. Sports are year-round at Sun City, in one way or another. Just like high schools, where sports are played indoors or outdoors from the start of school in the early fall to the end of the year in the late spring.
The Tall Oaks Tennis Club plays at Centegraâs fitness center on Algonquin Road these days. The pickleball group keeps going at the Cosman Center gym at the Huntley Park District. The golf club goes to Palatine to play on simulators. (This year, December and January have been so kind to golfers that they have been out in force at Whisper Creek many days.) The softball club is busy organizing leagues for 2012. (Suggestion, guys, check out the Schaumburg Park District, which has an indoor softball facility that is used by high schools and youth leagues. Maybe itâs available.) Bocce Ball, one of the communityâs biggest groups, spends the winter organizing its 2012 tournaments and competitions. If the temperature is at least 40 degrees, the Cyclepaths (bicycle) group goes for rides. (Now, thatâs dedication). The Anglers Club is getting inspiration this month from a prominent area Muskie fisherman. (Side note: Whatever happened to the placement of food on the ice and a lottery to pick the date the ice will break under it? I know, I know, this year, such a project hasnât been possible⌠yet.)
And so it goes.
Speaking of inspiration, this is a good time to get some, to stock up on some good sporting, fitness, and healthy ideas and activities for 2012. With no snow, there are opportunities galore.
Get on your bike, take a walk, go to the fitness center and hit the weights, or just walk on the track, or swim or walk in the pool. If it isnât too cold or windy, walk to dinner at Jamesonâs Charhouse instead of driving your car. Turn off your TV for a change and do sports or exercises of some kind, instead of just watching it on the tube. Consider joining a sports-related club this year. They are always welcoming new members. If nothing else, go watch sports activities and games. There are seats at Eakin Field for softball, and small numbers of watchers are welcome at Bocce Ball and tennis. In fact, go watch them now at their winter locations.
You want some inspiration on how to be active? I have a unique, delightful, and offbeat piece of it for you, straight from an area high school. I think youâll get a kick out of it. I recently met a young high-school senior girl who, like a growing number of teenage girls, enjoys sports. She is a petite sprite, all of 5â4â, and possesses the attitude of a warrior and the heart of a lion. She has played basketball since she was a child, but now is making a BIG change.
She is putting basketball aside for another activity that few girls would even think about â boxing. I didnât make that up, residents, itâs true.
She is a good boxer. It isnât a lark or joke to her, itâs a serious goal. She wants to be an Olympic champion, if not in 2012, in 2016. Her work ethic and dedication to this sport has earned her the respect of her friends, both male and female, and the support of her family and school.
Isnât this a hoot?
Why do I bring this up here? I hope it âinspiresâ you to pick a sport or activity, plunge in, get involved, and dedicate yourself to it, for a year or longer, depending on your age and health status.
Start jogging or take walks, and say things to yourself like, âIf she can do it, I can.â Isnât it funny how teenagers can often inspire us, instead of the other way around?
Just some sporting thoughts for you in the middle of this so-called âhibernatingâ season.
By the way, the Saints will win the Super Bowl again. Right now, Drew Brees is the best quarterback in the NFL. Just a tidbit to show I havenât forgotten all you armchair football watchers.
I also recommend that everyone see âWar Horse.â Itâs magnificent.
