Child Care Garage Sale

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Bikes, movies, Halloween costumes, and toys were just a few of the many items donated for the First Annual Child Care Garage Sale at the Old Town Hot Springs in August. Manager Stephanie Orozco came up with the idea, in an effort to fund the redecorating of the current child care room. Members graciously donated old gear that their children may have outgrown, including strollers, sand boxes, swimming pools, and huge amounts of toys. Orozco says nearly $800 was raised, "That's twice what we had hoped for, considering it was the first annual. We are so thankful for all of the members and child care workers who dropped off toys they didn't want any more." One item, a double jogging stroller in excellent condition, brought in $125.

Now, the priority is to re-paint the child care room and purchase some new kid-friendly furniture. Orozco says, "We also plan to do a lot of updating in the toy department." Orozco says it can be tough because the toys have to be very durable, and fit an age range of eight weeks to eight years old. Mark your calendars for June next year, when the child care garage sale will happen again.

Spurs On Service

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Smiling faces and superior service from the Old Town Hot Springs Front Desk earned the highest ranking for the Spurs On Service award from the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. It involves a "Secret Shopper" who comes in to a business to see how the employees act. Front Desk workers Eric Gautreaux and Andrew Henry were on duty at the time, and received glowing reports of being happy and helpful to the guests.

Smile! Let's Take Your Picture

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Each member with a family membership has their own member number. The Front Desk staff needs to take a picture of each family member, to keep it on file. The next time you bring the kids down to the pool, please ask to have a picture taken for each member of the family. We are also updating email addresses for members. Please pass that along to the Front Desk staff as well.

Get Conditioned For Skiing

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Get ready for "Mother Nature's Obstacle Course" with Ski Fitness taught by Chris Voyvodic. Classes will be held Tuesday/Thursday starting Sept. 29. The 16 classes will run until Nov. 19. Class times are noon until 1:30 (always outdoors) and 5:30-7:00 p.m. Cost is $150 for the session. Sign up and pay at the front desk. These classes will fill quickly. You will need to sign up to reserve your spot. Please note that you must have an advanced level of fitness to participate in this class.

Fall Swim Lessons Begin September 14

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One more session of swim lessons is scheduled, Sept. 14 through Oct. 1. Levels 1-6 will be offered on Monday/Wednesday, or Tuesday/Thursday, beginning at 4:00. A Parent-Child class is also offered on Monday/Wednesday at 10:00 or 10:45.

The Middle School Swim Fitness Class will return in the fall, as will a new Swim Team Readiness Class. All instructors are Red Cross certified and follow the Red Cross guidelines. The classes focus on student water safety, comfort in the water and efficient swimming. For more information on classes, email Swim Lesson Coordinator Nancy Gray at swimlessons@sshra.org

Red Cross Certification

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The American Red Cross has recently updated their swim lesson materials and requirements to conform to changes in technology in swimming and First Aid. The Old Town Hot Springs has adjusted accordingly by having their swim instructors update their skills, too. This summer, instructors participated in an online re-education program to maintain their certification with the American Red Cross.

These updates include a preschool group that follows along developmental learning theories. Classes are now divided according to age and ability groups. The Old Town Hot Springs continues to be an American Red Cross provider, with programs such as Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid, AED and Emergency Oxygen. There are also several instructor trainers on staff. Congratulations to those recently re-certified instructors, some of whom are pictured here celebrating: (from left to right) Reggie Sellars, Meghan Yonker, Abbie Tillman, Amanda Brotman, Sara Barry, and Kathy Gayer.

Adult Swim!

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Old Town Hot Springs patrons and members have recently inquired as to why there are frequent Adult Swim breaks during the summer. These breaks, which take place daily at 1:45, 2:45 and 3:45 p.m., have been encouraged within the aquatics industry for over 30 years, and have been a part of the summer routine at OTHS for nearly as long. Aquatics Director Jill Ruppel says, "Studies show children need to take breaks to rest, hydrate and most importantly use the restrooms. Research shows that fecal accidents significantly drop when an imposed break is levied by a facility. This type of incident certainly has dropped at OTHS during the afternoon hours when Adult Swim takes place." Ruppel adds that for those adults without children, the breaks allow for a calm, peaceful dip in the pool. "It's a win-win situation for all of us."

Lap Lanes In September

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Team Lightning will be back in the pool for their annual fall swim training, August 31 through Oct. 9. The team will be renting Lanes 5-8, Monday through Friday from 3:45-5:15 p.m. There will be lanes available to the public during those times. Please look for orange cones with signs that say OPEN LAP SWIMMING and jump in!

There will be a Lap Lane Usage meeting for all members and interested parties on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m. For those who would like to add their opinion on the lap lane usage, particularly in the summer, please join us on the upper deck.

Rent The Upper Deck

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Fall is the perfect time to have a company party, or any group gathering, on the upper deck at the Old Town Hot Springs. You may rent the entire upper deck for $100 for two hours. A sound system is available, as are a tent and tables. Or you can bring your own band. You can have a BBQ with the BBQ grill. For more information on the fantastic upper deck, click here.

Poochy Paddle Returns

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Bring the pup down to the pool for the return of the Poochy Paddle, fall edition. Dogs are welcome to swim in the lap pool on the afternoon before it is emptied and cleaned. The date is Sunday, Oct. 18, from 2-5:00. Sign up at the Front Desk for a pre-purchased ticket of $5 per dog. Those without a ticket will pay $10 per dog on the day of the event. Also, please bring a dog or cat food donation for the Steamboat Animal Shelter and enter with your dogs at the back gate. The lap pool will be closed for cleaning Oct. 18-24.

Member Of The Month

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You'll find this month's Member of the Month swimming, spinning and working out on weights. Jaimie Zelkin is the September Member of the Month at the Old Town Hot Springs. She loves the spin classes all winter with Bruce Alston to keep in shape for biking competitions in the summer. She takes Ski Fitness classes with Chris Voyvodic, as well as uses him as her Personal Trainer. She also swims laps to train for triathlons. The 30-year-old moved to Steamboat six years ago from Fort Collins. She's a nurse at Yampa Valley Medical Center in the Emergency Room at the Day Surgery Department. She is also studying to be a Nurse Practitioner.

Lock It Up

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Please remember to lock up your valuables when at the Old Town Hot Springs. There have been several thefts in both the Men's and Women's Locker Rooms, when members were in the shower for just a few minutes. Please do not leave anything to chance, and keep your locker locked. Also, if you are ever renting a locker, do not leave your key poolside, where it can be stolen. Finally, remember to lock your car when it is in the parking lot. If you ever see anything suspicious, please report it to the Front Desk or an Old Town Hot Springs employee.

Keep It Clean

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Remember to wash off the equipment in the Fitness Center after using it. With the many locals and the visiting tourists using equipment, this is a place that is easy to get exposed to germs and the flu. Hand sanitizing lotion is available throughout the facility and especially in the Fitness Center.

A recent article by The Associated Press says, "In a disturbing new projection, health officials say up to 40 percent of Americans could get swine flu this year and next, and several hundred thousand could die without a successful vaccine campaign and other measures. The estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are roughly twice the number of those who catch flu in a normal season and add greater weight to hurried efforts to get a vaccine ready for the fall flu season."

We can do our part to help prevent germs in Steamboat, by always washing hands or using hand sanitizers, and by wiping down the fitness machines.

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Old Town Hot Springs is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

Mission statement:
The unique and historic Old Town Hot Springs provides a center for health and wellness through recreation and education in aquatics and fitness for our community, members and guests.

www.oldtownhotsprings.org