New Castle, DE – Today, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer announced a host of on-demand offerings for New Castle County residents to stay in shape; mentally, physically, and creatively. The content is courtesy of New Castle County’s Department of Community services which, over the years, holds hundreds of workshops, classes, and other events for County residents.
“Our hope is that these high-quality productions will not only re-engage people who were already users of our recreation programs but expand reach and access to keep their current skills sharp, or even pick up a new hobby,” County Executive Meyer said. “We encourage everyone to log-on and explore the offerings. The Tai-Chi with Winston videos are a part of my daily meditative regimen.”
“Even though we had to postpone our in-person classes and seminars, a demand for programming still existed,” Jane Rattenni, Manager of the Division of Community Resources, said. “We brainstormed for ways we could provide that content and community, but in a safe way, to meet their needs, and these tutorials are a perfect way to do that.”
Currently there are more than a dozen videos for viewers to choose from featuring residents leading the classes. Content ranges from cooking classes (Cooking with Ben), exercise and meditation (Tai Chi with Winston), quilting, Movement with Yolanda and more, with Yoga with MaryAnn Quinn on the horizon – premiering later this month. More videos are being added weekly and can be accessed a variety of ways including on New Castle County’s Facebook page and on the County’s YouTube page and on-demand at www.newcastelede.gov/VSPTV.
About the programs’ hosts:
Tai Chi with Winston
Winston Gacutan teaches Tai Chi at New Castle County Rec Centers and the Absalom Jones Senior Center for more than 4 years. He uses the postures of Shifu Kevin Sun in his routines.
Machine Quilting with Maryann
Maryann is a retired nurse who learned to sew from her mother and has love sewing ever since. Maryann led a quilting group who met at the New Castle Library.
Cooking with Chef Ben
Chef Ben is the chef at the Reader’s Café at the Route 9 Library. Chef Ben teaches many cooking classes and workshops as well as running the café itself where his pot pies are particularly famous.
Essential Movement with Yolanda
Yolanda is a certified group fitness instructor with the American Athletics & Fitness Association of America, and currently training for an inclusive fitness trainer certification with the American College of Sports Medicine. She teaches classes at the Hockessin Recreation Center.
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