Local senior helps others flex their muscles

Published 2:18 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

NORTH BEND – The Mount Si Senior Center presented Maxine Dovenberg with an award Friday for donating 15 years of her time to teaching aerobics at the senior center three times a week. Approximately 30 of Dovenberg’s friends and class members were on hand to surprise her with a celebration of her 78th birthday.

Dovenberg’s days usually begin with a half-mile swim at 6 a.m. in the Si View Pool followed with a 9 a.m., 45-minute aerobics class three times a week.

“It’s a big, wonderful group,” Dovenberg said of those she instructs. Approximately 20 to 30 seniors show up for the class, which also has some male participants.

“They (the men) keep the place lively,” Dovenberg said.

Katie Hanson, who has attended aerobics classes at the senior center since 1978, said Dovenberg is a good leader and not afraid to speak up so everyone in the class can hear her. Others admire Dovenberg’s resiliency.

“I’m impressed with anybody whose her age and does what she’s doing,” class member Gretchen Wilson said.

The class doesn’t listen to music while working out, but Dovenberg has a good alternative.

“They listen to my counting,” Dovenberg said.

“She keeps it hopping,” Hanson said.

Tina Geelhart, who also has attended aerobics classes at the senior center since 1978, said the classes help her to stay agile.

“You should see what we do in there,” Geelhart said.

“We don’t just sit on chairs. It’s quite a workout,” Wilson said. ” We use weights and do floor exercises. It’s not for sissies.”

Dovenberg said she usually starts the class with exercises for the head and neck to keep the body in balance, and then ends with some drills in a chair to work the feet and legs. She added that she relies on her own intuiton to decide what type of exercises to lead the class through.

“I know what helps me,” Dovenberg said. “We start right from the head and work all the way down.”

The seniors applauded Dovenberg for her leadership over the past 15 years.

“She’s the consummate volunteer,” Wilson said. “She never misses a class. She’s here all the time, come rain or shine.”

Dovenberg’s dedication has worn off onto her class members.

“Even if the place is closed up, I come down and open it up,” Dovenberg said. “They come all the time. They want to exercise.”