Recs and ReadsBy Anne McKay Garris"Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, THUMP. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, THUMP…" The familiar rhythm of the old Congo Line rolled across my path as I entered the celebration of Frog Friday at the Clearwater Beach pool, Friday evening. King James Champion, Pinellas County's premiere drummer and drum teacher, was on hand to entertain and teach drumming to the partygoers who weren't busy splashing each other in the pool, or jumping for the hula hoop, or simply floating in idle bliss. With six drums in his circle, King James invited small, young people and larger, older people to come and feel the freedom offered by losing yourself in the rhythm. It was the Congo beat that lured me to throw off my inhibitions and join the circle. We went on to the Native American beat and you could almost see the smoke signals that went with it. Finally, the master drummer set up an accompaniment and challenged each of us to "play the lead," creating our own particular rhythm for our own satisfaction. School has started, but our pool will continue to be open on the weekends through the weekend of September 18th - 19th. Hours will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The lazy summer is almost over and it's time to get back to exercising and doing those active things that keep us young and spry. (Did you know you can't be called spry until you are at least 70?) I don't know what you are before that, but it's not "spry." The Clearwater Beach Recreation Center offers Yoga on Monday evenings and on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, starting at 9:15 a.m. Tennis lessons are available on Monday evenings by appointment. Zumba is on again, starting September 7th, at 11:00 a.m. Exercise equipment and weightlifting is there all the time, and you can hire one of the personal trainers available through the Rec Center if you'd like to learn more about it. Over in the library section of the building, you can not only use one of their computers, but, on Monday afternoons, you can bring your questions about ways to use your computer and our Monday afternoon expert will help you with them. No charge!
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