Judo Demonstration Today in Gym

Hi all – Today starting at 11:30am is a special Judo demonstration. The Judo demo will be about 20-30 mins in length and the Judokas will demonstrate various throwing techniques, ground fighting utilizing armlocks, strangulations and hold downs. We will also add some realistic self defense aspects of Judo as well. Alex Scott and Liam Goulding will do most of the demos. Closer to the end of August they will be holding registration.

Maskwa Stole the Show at Junior Lifeguard Competition

The weather outside is frightful but the programs at Maskwa are delightful! Honestly the rain does not deter the children and all programs are on. I am looking closely at the weather for the rest of the week but I’ve learned that if I wait five minutes the weather will change so I’m hopeful that on Thursday the weather will clear and we will have a great Maskwa Fun Day.

I wanted to give everyone a quick update on a few things. Maskwa did great at the Junior Lifeguard Competition held on Saturday at Riser’s Beach, located just outside Bridgewater. This was my first time at this competition with my children and talk about a great time. Of course, the sun and heat certainly added to our fun. We had a number of Maskwa children participate: Erin and Jacob Davis, Nolan Field, Rileigh and Morgan Pugh-Toole and talk about one dynamic team. I think all together the Maskwa team must have taken home at least 20 first place ribbons. I sincerely hope that next year we get to host a mini-lifeguard competition at Maskwa. Lifeguard skills are something we should be working to develop and I was disappointed to discover that Maskwa was the only club from the Halifax area participating at the Junior Lifeguard Competition – which was extremely well organized. Special thanks to Laura Zevenhuizen, Maskwa's own lifeguard and instructor for keeping the Maskwa team pumped and ready to compete!

Once I touch base with Chad Brooks, our Head Paddling Coach, I will give an update on how our Maskwa paddlers made out during qualifying for Nationals. I know my son, Nelson a first year Bantam did the 6000 meter race competing with Midget boys on Friday afternoon and even he will admit that he was terrified. We were extremely pleased he finished the race and while at first terrified at the end he said he loved it and would do it again.

Also a reminder that the NS Lifeguard Society will be doing an Open Swim of 1km, 2km and 5km this coming Thursday, August 11 starting at 6:30pm with about 40-50 participants starting at Kearney Lake Beach and going directly by Maskwa. This is to remind all boaters and paddlers in the area to pay attention to people in the water on Thursday evening.

Lights are Working at Kearney Lake

Well it turns out we were wrong and in a good way. The lights are back on at Kearney Lake and working fine. Thanks again for all the help from our councillor Debbie Hum and the Department of Transportation for fixing this quickly.

Don't forget - busy week at Maskwa coming up so come prepared to have lots of fun!

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Kearney Lake Lights Won't Be Working Until Monday

According to Department of Transportation officials the traffic lights' control panel was struck by lightning and "fried". A new panel which won't get here until Monday at the earliest.

So these lights won't be working properly till later Monday or Tuesday.

The flashing yellow on Kearney Lake Road (KLR) and flashing red on the off ramps means under MV regulations, KLR has priority for motorists and those motorists trying to come off the ramps have to yield to a break in traffic on KLR.

Hence the backup of traffic on the ramps.

Our local Councillor Debbie Hum (major thanks Debbie) is attempting to get the Department of the Transportation to provide some traffic control police during peak times to help alleviate the build up on the on and off ramps.

With the sun finally shining this week we will have for the first time the Sackville Boys and Girls Club at our club using the dragon boat from 2-3pm and then enjoying our swim area from 3-4pm. They are very excited with this opportunity and I'm thrilled the sun has come out for them.

A reminder of events coming up:
Wednesday, August 10th - from 3:30pm-5:30pm Atom Special Movie Day

Thursday, August 11 - Maskwa Fun Day starts at 10am-2pm/Free-PG Movie 4-6pm and Scary Teen Movie 7-9pm. Boston Pizza is providing a slice of pizza to all the children and Maskwa will provide watermelon and drinks. This day is for all children including the day camp children and they are more than welcome to enjoy the free movie.

Friday, August 12 - Join the Maskwa community as we celebrate sending off our National Team with a piece of cake from 5-7pm at the club.

Wednesday, August 17 - 2-4pm Join us for our 1st Jockey Clothing Party - this is a fundraiser for Nationals and the clothing is active womens' wear.

Thursday, August 18-20 - Peewee/Bantam Champs at Lake Banook

Sunday, August 21 - Atom Champs at Orenda

Above are some pictures of the day camp children enjoying hiking to Popcorn Island and showing off their superhero capes.

Maskwa Flooded

Talk about one wicked rain storm last night. I'm sad to report that with all that rain it has washed away our beach and created large trenches. I've got our Custodian working on filling in those large pot holes but only once the water recedes will the beach show again. My past experience with this is it usually takes a couple of days so if the weather is good over the weekend, I'm optimistic the beach will show again by Monday. We are still open for business as usual. All swimming, paddling and Kiddie Kayak lessons are on as well as day camp.

With the weather not being great and the number of Maskwa people lower than normal for this time of year, Sweet and Savory Catering Limited who run our canteen will be closing early on some days. We will always give 30minute warning when the canteen will close and try for at least 1hr ahead so those children wishing to purchase something might have that opportunity.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures.

Little Italy Today and Discounted Yoga Classes for Members

Well the weather this week is not looking great but we will paddle until the thunder hits today which will be around 12noon. All swimming lessons are currently on as is Kiddie Kayak.

Today is our Little Italy day - for $25 your child from 1pm-3pm will learn how to make lasagna with meat sauce, Caesar salad and garlic bread fingers. The best part about it is that it will feed a family of 4/5.

We had 8 people join our cooking class today and by the looks of the pictures they had lots of fun.

I also had to share a few pictures from the day camp. Today they are working on their paper mache craft and having lots of fun. The weather has held off and I honestly the sun has started to shine - way to go sun!

One of our long time members has recently opened a yoga studio in Rockingham Ridge Plaza. Many Maskwa members will remember Kathryn offering yoga classes last summer. Kathryn never charged for her time and we used the money raised from her classes to help fund the new playground equipment. She has kindly offered a discount for all Maskwa members. Here is what Kathryn has to say to our members:

I recently opened a yoga studio (www.purefreedomyoga.com) in the Rockingham Ridge Plaza at 30 Farnham Gate Road and would like to offer Maskwa members a 15% discount on the 5-class pass with no expiry from now until Labour Day. The new website is loaded with information on the studio, classes and teachers. Members may purchase by phone if they are unable to come into the studio before September :).

Pure Freedom Yoga Studio
30 Farnham Gate Road
Rockingham Ridge Plaza
Phone: 431-FREE (3733)
Cell: 718-PURE (7873)
Fax: 431-4233
Email: info@purefreedomyoga.com
Web: www.purefreedomyoga.com

Good luck to all the paddlers at the Nationals! (Especially my son John who is competing in the war canoe)