Page 1 - The Clare Connection_Summer 2018

SUMMER 2018
Issue 211

CONNECTION

The Clare Residents Compete in Chicago Dragon Boat Race

SURROUNDED by elite groups, fire
departments and corporate crews, onlookers
might not have suspected that residents of
The Clare, a luxury senior living community
in Chicago’s Gold Coast, were about to race
along the south branch of the Chicago River.
And yet, The Clare was one of 32 teams
competing in the 18th Annual Dragon Boat
Race for Literacy on June 23 at Ping Tom
Memorial Park in Chinatown – and the Before the Chicago Dragon Boat Race began on the
oldest team, at that. Chicago River
“It is inspirational to watch our residents “Just getting in and out of the Dragon Boat
CONTENTS take on the challenge of the races,” says was a feat in itself,” says Clare resident
Letter from Kyle . . . . . . . . . 2 Leah Okner, Fitness Manager at The Sheila Rock.
Clare. “The average age of our boat was
News from Your approximately 40 years older than the Each team consists of 20 members: 18
Council & Committees . . . 3 paddlers, one drummer and one flag
other teams.” catcher. The paddlers row to the beat of
Resident News . . . . . . . . . . 4
But age didn’t prevent The Clare Crewsaders the drummer, while the flag catcher pulls
Artist Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 from giving their all. a flag positioned in the water at the finish
Resident Profile . . . . . . . . . 8 line. This is why the other half of The Clare’s
practice sessions were geared toward
Around The Clare . . . . . . 10 strength training and timing.
Department Updates . . . 12 On the day of the race, The Clare
Crewsaders first competed in a time trial
race, registering a time of 2:02. In the team’s
second race, their boat crossed the finish
line in a time of 1:53, beating their previous
time by 9 seconds.
“Going into the Dragon Boat Race, safety
and fun were our top two goals – and we
certainly accomplished those,” Lori says.
“Being in the Dragon Boat Race as a
The Clare Crewsaders team of older adults challenges people’s
perception on aging. And while we may not
“Residents enjoy competing in the Dragon have been the fastest team, the day was a
Boat Races because they have the mindset huge success!”
of, ‘Why not us?’ says Lori Griffin, Director Being supported and encouraged by family,
of Life Enrichment at The Clare. “They are friends and fellow residents cheering the
not held back by the perceived boundaries team on only added to the experience.
of aging.”
“The Dragon Boat Race was another super
Six weeks prior to the race, Leah began activity that The Clare sponsors to keep us
training with the residents. Half of the socially engaged, physically fit and active,”
practice focused on balance training, as says Clare resident Anne van Amerongen.
entering and exiting the boat can be a “Although The Clare did not bring home a
challenge, given its curved bottom and medal, many laughs were had by all, and
thin beams that rowers have to step over in each one of the paddlers exerted their
order to take their seat. maximum effort.”