Payson Roundup

Editor:

I have just completed my 21st year of water aerobics and lap swimming at Taylor Pool, and would like to thank the Town of Payson and Parks and Recreation for a wonderful, wonderful experience!

Over the years, I have had the privilege of interacting with many kind and capable managers, teachers and lifeguards. For this year, I would like to commend aerobics instructors Susan Hall and Mary Jo Artwohl, and manager Rachael Ward and her well-trained, supportive lifeguards. They all made our experiences under the blue, blue sky filled with billowy clouds and marvelous Arizona sun just fabulous!

I would also like to mention Wendy Ward who coaches the swim team. Her work with these children and young people is amazing. As a retired ASU education professor (and lettered swimmer), I have been able to go early and observe the progress they have made over the two-month period, not only in swimming skills, but in social and team skills! Their progress is astounding. I only wish that you could observe this process yourselves to feel the rewards for what you have supported all of these years!

I should also mention the therapeutic nature of the outdoor swimming experience. Over the years, I and others like me have dealt with physical problems by exercising in the sunny (vitamin D) outdoor heated water. In my case, I have worked through recovery of knee surgery, hip replacement and spinal surgery. The very deep-end parts of the pool have been a God-send for me and I know, many other “water babies” have benefited in this manner as well.

As a former classroom teacher and university professor, I understand that sometimes bright stars are lost in a myriad of details and decisions. Taylor Pool is your sparkling, bright star!

Though pushing 83, I can still make half laps in the crawl, backstroke, sidestroke and the butterfly, thanks to you!

Merri H. Schall