A lifetime of memories...

We recently had a blog post about memories of things at Pine Bluff. Although 2003 seems like a lifetime ago for me, (literally the year I was born). I know for a lot of you it was only a blink of an eye. In that short blink, I have somehow grown into the adult that I am today, but not without the constant learning that Pine Bluff has given me over the years. This pool has seen everything from my first scraped knee, (running is fun, what can I say?!) to my first job as a teenager, to driving, to a college send off. My mom purchased a membership here after hearing good things from the community and wanting her child to grow up around a pool and learn to be safe near water. After coming here every weekend, summer after summer, transitioning from the baby pool to the big pool, to finally being able to go off the diving boards by myself, I can whole-heartedly say this pool watched me grow up. Even as I got older and began lifeguarding here, some of my biggest learning lessons and life skills have come from the Board of Directors. They have taught me how to be professional and fun, as well as communicate with peers and members alike. Although, every time I have fallen and made a mistake has not always resulted in something as simple as a scraped knee, there was always someone there to teach me how to learn from it. Whether it was a lifeguard giving me a Band-Aid, a freeze-pop and telling me to stop running when I was a child, to the BOD leading by example to instill a solid work ethic as a teenager, to teaching me how to correct clerical errors, handle delicate situations with peers, staff and members as a manager, to an advisor even helping me choose a career path and major in college as a young adult. I owe so much to the Pine Bluff community. As we approach the end of what I think will be my last season in the area, I can’t help but look back on some of the best times of my life: my first jump off the high dive, the first place I was allowed to go with no parental supervision, swimming in the rain with all the lifeguards and kids, swimming in the dark, an overnight or two, so many events and more friends, families and mentors than I can count. I want to give a big “THANK YOU!” to the Pine Bluff Community for being such a consistent place for me to play, grow, learn, and enjoy for the past two decades. I have truly loved this place my entire life and I could not imagine any aspect of my childhood without it! While I do not know where the future will take me, I don’t believe a summer will ever pass that I don’t think about Pine Bluff and long for the summers of my youth.

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Anna McLean

Member - Lifeguard - Assistant Manager - Manager

Beat the Heat This Summer!

Did you know that swimming puts you at a higher risk of dehydration? The combination of humidity and long periods of physical exercise cause us to sweat and we lose electrolytes as a faster pace. Swimming also compromises our body’s ability to regulate our temperature. Here are some tips to ensure a fun and hydrated summer!

1.     Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink water. If you are thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. Drink water throughout your day to help prevent dehydration and over exhaustion

2.     If regular water is boring to you flavor it with a splash of sugar free juice or fresh fruit. You can also have your favorite sports drink to help with electrolytes

3.     Snack on water rich fruits. Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, and pineapples all have a high-water content and are a refreshing snack on a hot summer day

4.     Listen to your body! Your body has built-in mechanisms that tell us when we are dehydrated. Recognize the signs of dehydration. Irritated and itchy skin, headache, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, and darker colored urine are all signs of dehydration

5.     Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine

6.      Wear light, loose fitting clothes in light colors. Take breaks often and allow yourself to cool off in the shade or an air-conditioned area if needed

7.     Good gut health helps ensure you are absorbing the water and nutrients your body needs

Know the signs of heat related illnesses

1.     Body temperature over 103 degrees

2.     Headache, dizziness, fainting, confusion

3.     Muscle cramps, unusual tiredness or weakness

4.     Fast, strong pulse (Heat Stroke)

5.     Fast, weak pulse (Heat Exhaustion)

6.     Nausea or vomiting

7.     Hot, red, dry, or damp skin (Heat Stroke)

8.     Cold, pale, and clammy skin (Heat Exhaustion)

Just remember, if you're feeling the heat, jump to your feet, don't be a fool, and get yourself cool! We all like a roasted chicken, but it’s miserable if you end up being one.

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Penny

PINE BLUFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PIVOT!

Can you make a career change at 40?

Yes you can! I did, but boy was it scary!

Yes, I left behind my professional network, social connections, reputation and skillset that I had built and honed over the course of my professional life. I’ve grown a lot since my first job personally and professionally. I’ve learned how to speak up in meetings, work constructively with difficult team members, keep productive and reinvent myself time and time again over the past 20+ years in the workforce. I definitely had to weigh the pros and cons of such a huge change.

 What I’ve Learned:

1. I’m already a Professional – many of my skills were transferable.

2. I still have plenty of time in the workforce as the average retirement age is 67.

3. My mental health thanks me! Less stress equals success!

4. I get to Live My Life, that will bring me more satisfaction with a solid work/life balance.

Things I contemplated before making a change: (after taking a looooong deep breath)

1. I have more responsibilities now vs. when I was 20 just starting out. It’s not just me that I had to consider but also my family.

2. More expenses. A home, a car, utilities, pets, insurance, and the list goes on and on..

3. Had I truly met my professional and personal goals?

4. Information is Power - I did research on what I may want to do and what skills I could bring to the table for any company.

5. I reflected on why I wanted to change and weighed that against what I was hoping to get out of a new career.

The ultimate question now, after 45 days in a new career, is do I regret it and would I go back?

 The answer to both is NO! I’m challenged in a new way daily, mentally and emotionally. I’m utilizing skills that I didn’t even realize that I had and learning new ones along the way. If you’re considering making a change yourself don’t hold yourself back if that’s truly what you want to do. The possibilities are endless, you just have to go after them. Sometimes the greatest act of bravery is simply taking that first step towards change. Don’t be afraid to take the leap as the rewards of positive transformation are always worth the risk, it’s never too late!

The Great Coffee Debate

As I was driving into Waynesboro this morning, I was craving some coffee. That sparked the question of where I wanted to get the coffee from. With the recent demise of Micah’s kiosk in the Ace parking lot, I’m left with 2 drive through options, Starbucks or Dunkin’. Then I had another thought, do I want something to eat with my morning coffee?

If you’re familiar with either of these locations in Waynesboro, then you know they both are equally challenging to access. Starbucks has a very tiny lot, positioned between KFC and 7-11 and once you’re in the drive thru line, there is no option but to stay, as there are no “escape routes” to exit. Dunkin’ is in a small lot as well next to Tropical Smoothie and once again, when you’re in the drive thru line you must stay. Both offer mobile ordering, which is a plus, but you’re still left to pick it up, so the amount of time actually saved is negligible. You still suffer while navigating the narrow drive through and other parking lot obstacles.

Do I want banana nut bread this morning and my cold brew caramel coffee from Starbucks? Or do I want my Charli and avocado toast from Dunkin’? This is the dilemma that I’m faced with this morning and only have a short period of time to make a decision that could determine how my day gets started. Overall, Dunkin’ is a fantastic place, they sell donuts, breakfast sandwiches, specialty drinks, and their own merchandise. The shop offers just about anything for your personal breakfast needs and the best part is that everything is priced at a decent rate. On the other hand, there is Starbucks, the hub for all regular teen girls. While it also has everything anybody could ever want for breakfast, their products are a little more on the pricey side.

In the end, the decision that I made this morning was Dunkin’. Once I had the thought of the avocado toast enter my head, I couldn’t stop thinking about the taste of it in my mouth and had to have it. I did spend less money on Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks, but tomorrow could have a totally different outcome because I do love me some Starbucks! While I may not know what the “morning coffee” future holds for me, I’m just glad to be in a position where I have choices and the luxury of being able to choose. There are plenty of others making really hard choices and I count myself blessed, that it is possible, that something as trivial as coffee and breakfast could be my most difficult decision of the morning.

Give a little bit...

In the fast-paced world of today, it is simple to feel alone and disengaged. We frequently overlook the value of giving back to the community and volunteering because we are so busy working, learning, and maintaining our personal lives. The lives of others as well as our own can be improved by participating in community activities and volunteering.

A community is described as a group of individuals who share certain characteristics or live in the same general area. A sense of support, purpose, and belonging are all provided by belonging to a community. It's a place where we can share our joys and sorrows, celebrate achievements, and work together towards common goals. It's a place where we can make friends, obtain mentors, and connect with people who share our interests and values. It also gives us somewhere to turn to when we need help of any type. Communities come in many forms, from neighborhoods, schools and clubs to religious organizations and sports teams. Each community has its own unique culture and characteristics. However, they all share the same goal or bringing people together to promote social cohesion and take care of their shared environment.

On the other hand is Volunteering. Volunteering is the practice of lending one's time, talent, and resources to others without expecting anything in return. Volunteering can take many forms, such as helping at a local charity event, cleaning up a park, or teaching a skill to others. Volunteering not only helps those in need but also provides many benefits to the volunteers themselves.

Taking part in a community and volunteering has several advantages, some of which are listed below:

Social connections: Joining a group and volunteering might help you meet others who have similar interests and beliefs as you. You can overcome loneliness, develop lasting relationships, and enhance your general wellbeing with the aid of these connections.

Sense of purpose: Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and meaning in life. You may get a sense of empowerment and fulfillment knowing that you are making a positive impact on the world. All change begins locally and by volunteering you can have a positive impact on the lives of others, making a difference in your community. This positivity can grow to even global proportions in some cases.

Personal growth: Volunteering can provide opportunities for personal growth and development. It can help you develop new skills, gain new experiences, enhance your knowledge and broaden your perspective on life.

Improved physical and mental health: Being part of a community and volunteering can have a positive impact on your health. It can help you mentally by increasing happiness, reducing stress and anxiety, lowering the risk of depression, boosting both your self-esteem and overall confidence. Physically you get the benefits of increased activity and exercise which studies have proven improve your health and even help you live longer.

Mutually beneficial relationship: Every volunteer helps the community and creates a stronger, healthier, safer and supportive environment. In turn, the better the community becomes, the more it helps the volunteer grow and thrive.

I don’t think the importance of these things can be overstated; they are both crucial aspects of society as a whole. Pine Bluff wouldn’t be what it is today without all of our volunteers. The Pine Bluff Board or Directors has included hundreds of members of our local community over the course of the last 59 years. As we gear up for our 59th season, we will be reaching out again for help in cleaning and setting up everything for another summer of fun. We have a work day next Saturday, May 6th for anyone that wants to help.

None of this would be possible without our loyal Pine Bluff community. I may be biased, but I truly believe we have the best group of communities anywhere in the world. Pine Bluff is comprised of people from New Hope, Verona, Fort Defiance, Weyers Cave, Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, Waynesboro, Staunton, Grottoes, Madrid, Dooms, Crimora, Sampson, Harriston, Mt. Sidney, Port Republic, Cross Keys and probably a few more smaller areas that I missed and are only known to us locals.

Every single one of you is special to us, and we appreciate your support as well as the wonderful experiences and assistance you have provided throughout the years. If you are interested in helping for the first time or getting reinvolved, we have a page on our website under “Opportunities” dedicated to volunteering.

Cheers to all of you and to another 6 decades of awesomeness!

I’ll leave you with some lyrics written by Roger Hodgson and later recorded in 1977 by Supertramp

“Give a little bit, Oh, give a little bit of your love to me
I'll give a little bit, I'll give a little bit of my love to you
There's so much that we need to share, So send a smile and show you care…”

They really seemed to summarize everything perfectly.

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Troy

VP - PINE BLUFF

Memory Lane

Sometimes I long for the days of my youth, in a small neighborhood, nestled in the heart of the countryside, things were much simpler then. The days were spent outside, running and playing in the fields, riding bikes, climbing trees, make believing and hanging out. There were no smartphones or tablets and the internet wasn’t even available outside of select government facilities. Instead, we played with sticks and rocks, went fishing, left our houses early in the morning and rarely came home before dark.

Back in those days, my parents both worked as did almost all the other parents in our neighborhood. Us kids were left at home, when not in school, with the eldest being in charge. We didn’t sit around in our pjs and play video games, we didn’t watch endless hours of YouTube and we certainly didn’t “DoorDash” food straight to our house. During the winter, we went sledding on the backroads behind the Phillip’s farm, ice skating on the pond that used to be below Stable Craft Brewing, built campfires and cooked our own dinner while seeing how long we could stay out in the cold. During the summer, we explored every field, wooded area and backroad we could find but mostly, we went to the pool.

We walked, roller skated, biked and one time, we even drove a riding mower with a trailer. I honestly believe that walking was faster than the mower, it took FOREVER and we had to leave early to make sure we got it back home before our parents got there. The pool was the place to be, we got there at opening and stayed until closing virtually all summer. Back then, the pool had an arcade room where the concession area is located now. All the concessions were prepared in the office and there was a split door between the office and the arcade. We saved every quarter we could get and spent them all at the pool between 5 cent freeze pops, quarter drinks and the arcade. We’d get drinks and take off to the campground for a while to get out of the sun. We even camped out at the campground a few times.

We never realized how good we had it, times were different then. The roads were safe, our parents didn’t worry about us getting lost or abducted, everyone looked out for everyone else. On more than one occasion we stopped at a random person’s house and asked to use their hose to cool off and rehydrate. If we found the right house, we would get sandwiches and cookies too! I couldn’t imagine anything like that happening now, heck, I’d be afraid to approach a random person’s house even as an adult these days.

I wish kids today knew what that kind of freedom and responsibility was like. We were in control of ourselves and sure we made mistakes, but we learned from them. I learned that one person can hold onto an electric fence with only a light shock but if you grabbed your brother’s arm, you increased the amount of ground and doubled the current drawn through you. We got hurt, we bandaged our own wounds, we got in trouble and dealt with the consequences, we learned survival and communication skills in the wild during real life experiences. There is no substitute for this kind of learning, no safety net, no reset button, no adult to handle things, just you, your circumstances and your wits.

It’s funny the things you remember from your youth, everyone has stories and people that made impressions but it’s the really personal things that mean the most. The ones I’m talking about might not mean anything to anyone else in the world. Like smells for example, I can still remember what my great grandmother’s giant cookies she made for me every Halloween smelled like. The smell of my grandmother’s cast iron cornbread, the smell of my grandfather’s wood shop or his chicken coop or his pipe or even his old spice cologne. The sound of my grandfather’s laugh or my grandmother humming along to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing Islands in the Stream. The taste of my aunt’s yams with marshmallow on top at Christmas. Watching Smokey and the Bandit on laser disc at my cousin’s house. The rush of jumping out of the rafters of the barn into the loose hay at my best friend’s farm. The sound of the porch swing where my great grandmother would sit and rock while snapping beans. I’m sure many people have similar memories, but these are very specific and special to me. I can tell you all about them and describe them in amazing detail, but you can never experience any of them for yourself.

I may have time traveled a little bit there and got lost in reminiscing. I think my point is that I find myself wishing for the simplicity of a time when life was slower and technology was not so all consuming. When good food, fresh air and outdoor play were enough to ensure you fell right to sleep as soon as you went to bed. Carefree, honest, minimalistic, humble times because happiness is not found in the chaos, it’s found in the calm. There are many things that have changed at Pine Bluff over the years but for me, the calm is still there and I welcome it every year like a dear friend.

I’ll leave you this time with a whimsical quote from Where the Sidewalk Ends by one my favorite authors when I was a child.

“If you are a dreamer, come in, If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer... If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire, For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in! Come in!” ― Shel Silverstein

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Troy

VP - PINE BLUFF

Casey at The Bat

With our schedule, it is hard to make other commitments. It’s the time of year where our weekends are full of long days at a ballfield with early mornings and late nights. Time traveling, making new memories and watching our son do something that he is very passionate about currently.

I also know baseball is something he is growing to love even more with each practice, each game, each win and maybe, most importantly, each loss.

Sometimes they win and sometimes they lose, but I think his coach said it best with the statement, “You can’t really appreciate the win until you’ve really rumbled with the loss.” I mean how can we NOT all learn from this? With each game, he is learning who he is as a team player. With each game he is learning how the way he shows up matters more than leaving the game with the win.

The point of playing is the character that it is instilling in him. We just want to raise a good kid to be a good man. To raise a child who knows how to look a teammate or an opponent in the eye after a game, shake their hand and walk away a little more humble than he was the game before. That’s the goal.

My only hope is that baseball will have an impact on who he’s becoming as a young man and carry through to adulthood.

Is it hectic? Yes

Is it crazy at times? Yes

Do we make sacrifices for him? Yes

Do we love watching and supporting him? Yes

Would I trade it for anything in the world? ABSOULTELY NOT

I hope he can look back years from now and treasure these moments as much as we do. Good times or bad, win or lose you should always learn from your past, cherish your present and embrace your future. Your memories of the moments that shaped you are the building blocks of your beautiful story.

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Crystal

PINE BLUFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog page! We will post information, stories and updates in regards to the pool. Check back on occasion to make sure you don’t miss anything exciting.