Lehigh Valley Marketplace

By Sara Hauff Doran

In the Lehigh Valley, residents of all ages have several options when it comes to joining or visiting area community centers. Those interested can choose from an extensive offering of activities that peak a variety of interests. From working out to learning a new skill, from bonding with your baby or just to feel connected, check out what these centers have to offer:

Forks Township Community Center (FTCC)
Offerings here include “Mommy & Me”-type classes and dance lessons to yoga and computer classes . Here’s some of what you’ll find inside this center, around since 1995 and located on a 50-acre community park.

The “Here I Grow” program (under the direction of Dawn Detweiler) is an early-learning option for three-and-a-half to five-year-olds that features activity centers, circle times and projects that reinforce preschool concepts. Parent and child classes for babies up to school age are also offered at FTCC by Little Star Studio under the direction of Desiree Kratzer. These classes combine art, music and other activities with fun-filled lessons.

The youth basketball, wrestling and volleyball programs are popular at FTCC, according to Donald Miller, community center coordinator. There is also a large martial arts program at the center.
“[The center will] continue adding quality programs based on the interest of the citizens of Forks Township,” Miller says.

And, according to Michele Rogers, who exercises at the center’s fitness center and works as FTCC monitor, it already does a great job catering to the community.

In addition to its many other fitness classes, the center now offers the trendy Zumba, a fusion of dance and aerobic exercise with Latin rhythm beats.

“Every time people from outside this area come here, so many people tell me how beautiful this facility is,” Rogers says. “They say, ‘we wish we could have this in our hometown.’”

Bethlehem Township Community Center (BTCC)
The Bethlehem Township Community Center , a 50,000-square-foot facility that boasts indoor and outdoor pools, a large fitness center and indoor track, offers numerous programs for all ages including a popular summer program called, “Teen Rock Camp” run by a local musician.

For preschoolers, the center offers soccer, gymnastics and learning through song and dance classes. Children and youth programs as well as fitness and aquatics are all well attended , according to Floyd Shaffer, BTCC director.

“We’re probably one of the only public community centers that offers an indoor swimming program,” he says.

For youth, BTCC offers karate, floor hockey and a science program, called Junior Einsteins, as well as an arts program titled Creative Kids.

For adults, there are fitness classes including Spinning, Pilates, Tai Chi, Iron Yoga, Cardio Tennis and Zumba.

Since BTCC opened in 2006, member Pegeen Sternberger has been attending fitness classes a few times a week.

“I enjoy the convenience [of BTCC] and meeting other moms while getting a workout,” she says.

The senior program, “Autumn Club,” where members participate in craft projects, bingo and line dancing, also brings people together.

“We have a lot of people in and out and keep a balance of programs,” Shaffer says, adding that there are about 10,000 people in BTCC’s database.

Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township (CCCC)
Not only does the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township have the usual offerings of fitness, sports and dance for all ages,, it also boasts social and educational programs too.

At least 150 adults and seniors attend dances held Saturday nights at the CCCC (opened in 2006). The band King Henry & The Showmen plays ‘50s-‘80s music and new this fall is The Main Street Cruisers (a retro rock band based in the Lehigh Valley) that plays oldies.

Other programs include the Palmer Township Police Junior Cadet Academy where 20 school aged children learned hands-on police skills and duties last summer, as well as two classes for dogs — one just for puppies and one to help teach obedience.

Dan McKinney, CCCC director, says some of its more popular programs include the adult fitness classes and various pre-school age programs meant to keep the whole family active and involved.
Christina Wise takes Zumba classes regularly at CCCC.

“(The Center) is clean and has a lot to offer,” she says, adding that it’s also inexpensive and well organized.

Future center plans are to develop the surrounding grounds to include multi-purpose athletic fields, a walking trail, and tennis and volleyball courts, according to McKinney.

Jewish Community Center of Allentown
For nearly 100 years, The Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Allentown has been offering activities and programming for members of all ages while trying to incorporate intergenerational programs.
The majority of its members are families, says Sandy Newman, Allentown JCC’s assistant executive director. Parents who grew up going to the JCC are now bringing their children there, she says. The Young Marrieds group is for young families and meets for an informal mother’s chat and playmate hour. There are also reading and performing programs that bring together preschoolers and seniors, Newman says.

The center, open to all denominations, offers numerous exercise classes as well as aquatics for all ages in its indoor pool. There are also many youth recreational offerings including basketball, volleyball, dancing and combat training.

Clarence L. Cook, Allentown JCC’s fitness center manager for the past 15 years, says it’s the JCC’s full range of programming and “family atmosphere” that are so appealing.
“[My] greatest gift is to provide a healthy lifestyle for people individually and collectively [at the JCC],” he says.

Lower Macungie Community Center
The Lower Macungie Community Center (LMCC) that opened in 2001 is trying some new things in the coming months as well as bringing back some popular programs.

New this year is a Craft & Vendor Fair on Nov. 21 that has been expanded to include more than 100 crafters, according to Denise Foulke, LMCC’s recreation director. Also new is the Bridal Expo set for March 2010 that has already generated interest.

Returning is the 4th Annual Troop Support Program. Last year, the township paid the shipping charges for about 100 boxes of toiletries, snacks and magazines—all donated by local residents—that were sent overseas to those serving in the armed forces.

Foulke monitors attendance at programs to see if it’s time to offer something different.

In addition to fitness classes, the LMCC offers ballroom and belly dance lessons for adults. For youth, the center offers art and music classes as well as soccer and tennis.

Connie Archer of Lower Macungie Township has made friendships attending yoga and Pilates classes for about three years. “The same people sign up for classes so you know them year after year and so it’s really special,” she says.

RESOURCES
Forks Township Community Center
500 Zucksville Rd., Easton, PA
610-250-2260
www.forkstownship.org

Bethlehem Township Community Center
2900 Farmersville Rd., Bethlehem, PA
610-332-1900
www.btcenter.org

Charles Chrin Palmer Township Community Center
4100 Green Pond Rd., Palmer, PA
610-252-2098
www.palmercommunitycenter.org

Jewish Community Center of Allentown
702 N. 22nd St., Allentown, PA
610-435-3571
www.allentownjcc.org

Lower Macungie Community Center
3400 Brookside Rd., Macungie, PA
www.lowermac.org

Sara Hauff Doran of Bethlehem specializes in articles on fitness and entertainment. She was pleased to discover the various community center programs while researching this article.