Clinton Township Newsletter

2 4 m a r c h 2 0 1 9 w w w . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . c o m f l e x i b i l i T y – b e n e f i T s o f s T r e T C h i n G : By: Michèle Bordeleau – ACE Certified Personal Trainer Studies on the benefits of stretching have had mixed results. While some studies show that stretching helps, others show that stretching before or after exercise has little to no benefit. Some research suggests that stretching may or may not reduce soreness after exercise and/or positively/ negatively affect performance. With this being said, however, stretching may help improve flexibility and consequently range of motion about your joints. Better flexibility may: • Improve your performance in physical activities • Decrease your risk of injuries • Help your joints move through their full range of motion • Enable your muscles to work their best Here are a few tips to stretch safely and effectively: • Do not consider stretching a warm-up: before stretching, warm up with light walking, jogging or biking at low intensity for 5-10 minutes. Even better, stretch after your workout when your muscles are warm. • Focus on major muscle groups: concentrate on your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders. Be sure that you stretch both sides. • Do not bounce: stretch in a smooth movement, without bouncing. Bouncing as you stretch can injure your muscles. • Hold your stretch: breathe normally and hold each stretch for 15-60 seconds (ACSM Recommendation, 2014). • Do not aim for pain: expect to feel tension while stretching but no pain. • Keep up with your stretching: stretching can be time consuming but you will achieve the most benefits by stretching regularly, at least 2-3 times a week. • Bring movement into your stretching: gentle movements, such as those in Tai Chi or Yoga can help you be more flexible in specific movements. Bring this article in with you to one of our Wellness Center locations and enjoy a one day complimentary guest pass on us! (Please note: This offer is limit ed to one visit per guest, per month). h u n T e r d o n h e a l T h a n d w e l l n e s s C e n T e r l o C a T i o n s : Whitehouse Station: 537 Route 22 East, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 Clinton: 1738 Route 31 North, Clinton, NJ 08809 Lambertville: 333 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 • Blooming Young Artists: Session A: Six classes March 2 to April 6. 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Arboretum, ages 6 to 10, $84 (includes materials) Info online. • Studio Time for Artists-In-Training: Session A: March 2 to April 6. 10:15 am to 11:45 am, Arboretum, ages 11 to 17, $94 (includes materials). Info online. • NEW! Family Weekend Nature Club: 1:00-2:00 pm, Echo Hill, ages 4 & up with adult, each session $3 per child 12 & under; accompanying adult attends for free! Terrific Trees: March 3, 1:00 to 2:30 pm • History Through Aerial Photography: There Used To Be A Railroad: March 3, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Arboretum, adults, $3. • Fun Ceramic Hanging Planters: March 3, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Arboretum, Ages 6 through adult (children ages 6 to 13 must be accompanied by an adult), $40 (includes materials and firing). • Bus Trip: Philadelphia Flower Show: Flower Power: March 5, 9:45 am to 7:00 pm, Deer Path Park, adults, $65 • Maple Sugaring: School Field Trips and Other Groups: March 6 and 8, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Echo Hill, all ages, $1 per person suggested donation. Call: 908.782.1158 to schedule. Public Open House: March 9 (Raindate: March 10), 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Echo Hill, all ages, $1 per person suggested donation. Pre-registration is not required. • Birding Van Trip: Waterfowl & Woodcock: March 10, 1:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Arboretum, adults, $30. • NEW! Beginning Photography Workshop: Session A: March 10, Session B: March 13. 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Arboretum, ages 16 through adult, $55 per session. • Craft: Dream Catcher: March 11, 3:30-5:30 pm, Arboretum, ages 6-adult, $6/project. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult & work on one project as an adult/child team. Children 11 through adults may attend solo. • The Invasion of the Spotted Lanternfly: March 11, 7:00-8:30 pm, Arboretum, ages 10- adult, $8/person. • Free Recreation Walks: March 13, 9:00 am to 11:00 am, all ages, free; please pre-register. Columbia Trail, Village Commons Parking Lot, 79 Main Street High Bridge 08829. March 27: Furnas Section of Arboretum: meet at the Arboretum, 1020 Route 31 North, Lebanon 08833 • Summer Camp: SNP Lottery Deadline: March 13 at 4:00 pm. SNP Walk-In Registration Begins: March 20 at 8:00 am. More info can be found online. • Design A Basket: March 17, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Arboretum, $35. • Rain Barrel/Rain Garden Workshop: March 14 (snow date: March 21), 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Echo Hill Lodge, ages 13 to adult, $50 per barrel (includes materials) or $8 to attend the presentation and not create a rain barrel. • Full Moon and Spring Equinox Hike: March 20, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wescott Preserve, (63 Strimples Mill Road, Stockton 08559), all ages, $3 • Woodcock Watch: March 25, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tower Hill springhouse, ages 5 through adult, $3 • Tot Walks: Echo Hill, 2 to 3 with adult, each walk $3 per child; accompanying adult attends for free. Birds: A: March 27, 9:30 am to 10:30 am. B: March 27, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. C: March 28, 9:30 am to 10:30 am. • NJ Boat Safety Certificate Class: March 30, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. • Seasonal Emplyment & Volunteering: We have a number of seasonal positions available! h u n T e r d o n C o u n T y p a r k s & r e C r e a T i o n ' s m a r C h p r o G r a m s Visit: www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/parks.htm or contact us by phone: 908.782.1158 or email: parks@co.hunterdon. nj.us for more information.

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