Trips, fitness classes, language sessions among offerings
By: Jake Uitti
MONTGOMERY With the new year fast approaching, what better way to kick it off than with a fitness class or a trip to a professional sporting event? That is why the Montgomery Recreation Department has planned a myriad of events beginning in January.
Trips are planned for a New Jersey Nets-New York Knicks basketball game at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 25, as well as a New Jersey Devils-Philadelphia Flyers hockey game 5 p.m. March 30. Both trips depart from the Upper Middle School.
Women looking to get fit, can sign up for the Body Shoppe for Women, aimed at upper and lower body workouts using hand weights, xertubes and bands. A new session of these classes begin Jan. 22 and goes through March 3.
In addition, there is a total body conditioning class slated Fridays beginning Jan. 5 that will be broken up into weight training segments and step and cardiovascular segments and drills. A second session of the class begins on Feb. 23. Both begin at 9:15 a.m.
Classes are in the Otto Kaufman Community Center.
PiYo a combination of yoga asana and pilates mat work is being offered, with the first session scheduled for Jan. 9, running Tuesdays, or Jan. 11, running Thursdays.
Kickboxing is also available on Mondays beginning Jan. 8 or Wednesdays beginning Jan. 10.
Residents are also offered ballroom dancing, which is slated for Jan. 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 and 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. for beginners and 8:30 p.m. for advanced dancers.
There are also ballet, jazz, hip-hop fusion and tap classes offered for children ages 3 through 7. Classes are held, depending on the type of dance, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Classes in Spanish, Italian and French for adults are also on tap at the Otto Kaufman Community Center. Italian classes begin Jan. 8, Spanish begins Jan. 16 and French begins Jan. 17.
For kids, specifically third- and fourth-graders, there is an after-school arts and crafts class with Jennifer O’Connor. The class will be held at Village Elementary School art room with the first session beginning Jan. 9 and the second Feb. 21.
In addition, there is an after-school painting and drawing class with Ms. O’Connor for third- and fourth-graders beginning Jan. 10.
Or students can take after-school chess classes. Beginners through advanced students are welcome and students will be divided up by skill level.
Those interested in the courses, or learning about other courses the Recreation Department is offering may call the Otto Kaufman Community Center at (609) 466-3023, or inquire at the center, located at 356 Skillman Road.

