Around Town: Jan. 1, 2025

By: Ernie Wren
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! This week I am going to focus on the options for increasing your health and wellness that are available in Southern Boone.
As some of you may know, November was a rough month for me. I had rotator cuff surgery, which went well until sepsis and pneumonia set in about a week after the surgery. After 15 hours in the emergency room and four days in a step-down unit, I recovered, thanks in large part to the health improvements I had previously made. Even at 63 years of age, improving your health can have huge positive impacts when illness or injuries set in.

After retiring in May (for real this time), I focused on weight loss (60 lbs. down now), lowering my blood sugar (runs about 115 now), and reducing my blood pressure, which now sits around 122/78. I still have a little bit to go, but here are some things that I’m going to focus on and I hope they help you improve as well in 2025.

The Southern Boone Area YMCA is again hosting its annual “LOSE TO WIN” program starting January 5th. What I love about this program is that it is more than just “losing weight.” The free InBody body composition scans, class discounts, nutrition, and exercise seminars, an 8-week gym membership for non-members, and support offered is top-of-the-line. You can register at the YMCA’s front desk or online on their website. Come join me for 8 weeks of support and cheering each other on! Even if you do not join the contest, if you are not currently a member of the Y, check it out. You will not find a better fitness opportunity for the price and value.

The Ashland Optimist Club is offering Adult & Pediatric CPR/AED + First Aid certification classes at the Ashland Optimist Club on January 5th & 12th. These classes are for anyone age 15 and above to receive CPR/AED Certification. This is a 4-hour course, and you have the option of attending either day. Registration is due on Jan. 1 for the 5th and on the 5th for the 12th.

To find out more and sign up through the Ashland Optimist Club, go to our website at ashlandoptimist.org. I’m taking this class with my wife Danna, as you never know when you need it. Danna once witnessed a driver that was non-responsive at a stop light in Columbia. Upon checking him, he appeared dead, but with CPR, Danna was able to help keep him alive until the paramedics got there.

In my younger days, I was once ranked 8th in the nation in martial arts as a 2nd-degree black belt. I loved the competition of sparring at different tournaments across the nation. Today, my wife and I have recently started back up with the local American Taekwondo school here in town, Legion Martial Arts. Danna loves the forms for flexibility and balance (although she’s quite a sparring challenge with weapons!)

Taekwondo is a lot of fun that slowly helps your body regain strength and balance. The class activities are flexible for all ages, so even in your senior years, you can accomplish a lot. Check it out at www.LegionMA.com or their Facebook page and see about a free trial at their downtown Ashland location. Tell them Mr. Wren sent you!

On a lovely day, there is still nothing quite as refreshing as a walk in the city park! The fresh air and slow pace while you enjoy the winter scenery is calming, and walking is great exercise. If you have a dog like I do, take them to the doggie park. My Luna enjoys the obstacles and other dogs while there.

Whatever it is you choose, focusing on health and happiness this year is my recommendation, as it will serve you well. Happy New Year, and God Bless!

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” —Bill Vaughan (Be an Optimist!)