Lisa, Valerie, and Beth
Lifetime friends, Lisa, Valerie, and Beth all went to Palmer Elementary School in Easton and then graduated from Easton Area High School.
Three states separate them now. Lisa is a tour director and lives near Ocean City, NJ. She’s married and has a 3-year old beagle named Tessie, and three cats. Valerie lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee with her 15 year-old 3-legged dog Tiegan and Beth lives right here in Lansdale and is a staff member and teacher here at the Y.
Their friendship was rekindled on a ‘farewell to 40’s’ tour when the three of them went to Ireland the year before turning 50. They’ve now been to Ireland three times together along with two beach trips.
“I truly believe the friendships you create when you are young are so special,” claims Valerie.
The YMCA has always been a place to connect, to learn, to grow, and to get STRONG in spirit, mind, and body.
Lisa remembers learning to swim at a Y and later took a water aerobics class with her Mom. Valerie learned to swim at the YMCA in Easton and also has fond memories when attending summer camp at the Y. She remembers her mom attending an embroidery guild class and her grandfather riding his bike to the Y to swim laps well into his early 90’s. Beth’s connection with the Y began in 2001 as a member and teacher of group exercise at a Y in Flemington and Clinton, NJ. Now Beth is a Y BodyPumpÒ and Yoga instructor in Lansdale. She’s been a member of the North Penn YMCA since September 2014 and started teaching in early 2015.
Now they are all participating in the STRONG Challenge together. It was Valerie’s suggestion after seeing the introduction video in an email. They encourage each other’s progress with daily group texts. Their 20-minutes/5 days a week have included daily walks, and last week they were all able to participate in a virtual Zumba Dance Party with a North Penn YMCA instructor.
“I love the group mentality. I can’t physically drag my out-of-state friends to classes with me, so we are virtually encouraging each other to be the best we can be,” says Beth.
To join the STRONG Challenge – a FREE program to reconnect and get STRONG in mind, body, and spirit – text STRONG to 844-288-1515.