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w w w .in si d eH A LT O N .c o m O A K V IL LE B E A V E R F ri d ay , J u ly 2 9, 2 01 1 2 4 Living O k ill LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com By Amirah El-Safty SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Early in the afternoon one day in late June, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses could be heard half a block away from 23 George St. Gaily drinking wine in the sun- shine of Vicki Kennans lakeside patio garden, more than 20 women gath- ered to celebrate and bemoan the retirement of their fitness instructor and dear friend, Alfreda Hannekamp. Hannekamp is a confident, vibrant, immanently likable woman with a tendency to call her friends to attention with a trilling Ladddddieeeees! A woman who is astonishingly healthy and young looking for her age, Hannekamp hails from the Netherlands, but has long been a resident of Oakville. When asked when she decided to become a fitness instructor, she waved dismissively and chirruped that in Europe, Fitness is just a big part of the lifestyle. After a little pressing, Hannekamp admitted she used to voluntarily instruct fitness classes in her com- munity. Word got around, and eventually the River Oaks Community Centre approached her about doing paid instruction at their facility. A loyal following of women over 40, some who have been attending regularly for upward of 20 years, are the backbone of her classes at the River Oaks Community Centre. After Hannekamp spoke with The Oakville Beaver at her retirement party, every woman present was also eager to share words of praise for their instructor. All were equally admiring of Hannekamp's professional commit- ment. Alfreda was always there 30 minutes early, and our 45 minute classes would always go an hour, said Shirley Barrowclough, a student for 22 years. She never looked at the clock. Her animated spirit and positive atti- ude was said to help keep the women motivated and it encouraged them to ake every part of their exercise regime seriously, including the oft-overlooked post-workout cool down. I never came away from a class feel- ng stiff afterward, or even several days afterward, said Vicki Kennan. She always took the time to really stretch you out. It was also largely agreed upon that Hannekamps classes werent just for seniors; the exercises were challenging or any age group. I have a daughter in her 20s who attended a few classes, said Brenda McElrov, and she had a hard time with t. The most remarkable thing about the retirement party was the air of friendship and camaraderie radiating from a group of women whose ages spanned 30 years. It was always much more than an exercise class, said Vicki Kennan. We had a Christmas party every year or all 18 years I attended. "As a group we sponsored charity efforts, we spoke about our lives and our children, and more often than not, a few of us would meet for a coffee after class. "It was much more than an exercise class it was about camaraderie, com- munity, and looking out for each other. And it was overwhelmingly the influ- ence of Hannekamp that helped foster he strong relationships and community feeling between women who might oth- erwise not have ever thought to speak to each other. Hannekamp is without a doubt an exemplary community role model who deserves the best in retirement and she will certainly be missed. Ask Alfreda, age has nothing to do with it Fitness is a big part of lifestyle ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER t t i f i f t WALKING THE WALK: Alfreda Hannekamp has retired from her role as a fitness instructor at the River Oaks Recreation Centre. Hannekamp was recently feted at a retirement party held for her by the participants of her class some of whom have been in her class for two decades. The group became a group of fast friends and Hannekamp was the catalyst for the lasting bonds. It was always much more than an exercise class. We had a Christmas party every year for all 18 years I attended." Vicki Kennan