By Heather Wood

Every New Year’s Eve, I write a list of resolutions. Some are practical (eat less sugar), while others are a bit of a stretch (like writing a best-selling novel). These promises to myself run the gamut–from physical to mental, possible to improbable–but they all have one thing in common: they serve as my own personal road map for the next 12 months.

And…I am not alone. The concept of creating New Year’s Resolutions is so ingrained in U.S. culture that the government even has a list of popular resolutions and resources for achieving them. It is a baker’s dozen of good intentions which include: eating healthy food, getting a better education, getting a better job, getting fit, managing debt, managing stress, and recycling.

A New Year’s Resolution is a promise a person makes for the New Year. Regardless of what resolution you commit to, its goal is to improve your life in the coming year. This is a time for renewal and starting over, including venturing out on new paths, clearing out old business and replacing them with new ones, and repurposing to live life on your own terms.

At Kernersville Parks and Recreation…we can help.

Bored with the treadmill? Are your kids driving you crazy being stuck in the house? The Kernersville Parks and Recreation Community Center offers a wide variety of Group Fitness classes to meet different fitness levels and different interests. If you enjoy a group atmosphere, there is a class waiting for you!

As we age, we may find ourselves having to deal with stiff joints, a sore neck, an achy back, or less stamina than before. But what if you could learn the brain’s natural way of healing to improve balance, stability, and ease of movement? Regardless of age or physical condition, you can experience more ease and comfort. Come give your body and mind the sensory feedback it needs to learn its own best way to improve with our T’ai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes.

Try Zumba classes to get your heart pumping and journey through a fitness class with inspiring women who encourage each other; all while having a blast! Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired cardio-dance workout that uses music and choreographed steps to form a fitness party atmosphere. While many of the types of dance and music featured in the program are Latin American inspired, classes also contain everything from jazz and rhythmic, to country, hip-hop, and pop!

If you have kids with big imaginations, open ears, and a love of the outdoors, we have teamed up with the Kernersville Library to offer Storytime in the Park on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00am. We will read stories, sing songs, dance around, and color pictures together! Parental supervision is required. Storytime will take place in one of the covered picnic shelters or the park’s Outdoor Classroom. In the event of snow or extremely low temperatures, the class will be cancelled and is intended for ages 8 and younger.

For more information on any of the above classes please visit our website at www.KVParks.com.

Continuing with the New Year theme…the Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays for eastern cultures. It is defined to be the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar. Unlike the Christian New Year, which is based on a solar calendar, the Chinese New Year is based on a traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. Normally, the celebration starts from New Year’s Eve and will last for around 15 days, until the middle of the first month.

The Town of Kernersville’s Sister City program will host the 2017 Chinese New Year celebration (Year of the Red Rooster) on Saturday, February 18 at Kernersville Moravian Church. The purpose of the Sister City Program is to establish and maintain various Sister City relationships with towns and cities throughout the world in order to foster cultural, educational, economic, and social feelings and exchanges between the citizens and residents of the Kernersville community, surrounding areas, and other cultures throughout the world. Planning is well underway for this event, and will include entertainment and the exploration of Chinese food delicacies! Tickets will go on sale in January, and can be purchased from the members of the program.

Speaking of heading down the right path this year…follow the yellow brick road where the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true! Lions, and Tigers, and Bears! Oh My! Calling all daughters and your father figures! Join us on Saturday, February 4 from 6:00-8:30 pm at First Christian Church for our Annual Father Daughter Dance. Tickets are available for purchase, and quantities are limited. To order, please visit www.KVParks.com.

Let’s welcome this New Year with smiles on our faces and optimistic hearts. Happy New Year!