About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2020)
Commentary | 7 JANUARY 2020 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net make drumsticks out of,” she said. “I had a vision, but didn’t know till I went to the store what was available.” In the plumbing department, she bought 20-foot lengths of white plumb er’s pipe, 160 plastic caps in packages of two, and tubes of glue. She had the store cut the pipe into 14-inch pieces. The next day, she and her young granddaughter sat in her yard and glued the caps on the sticks to make 80 watertight drumsticks for her students. Her goal is always to make her classes so much fun her students will keep com ing back, something she learned early in her fitness career when she trained with the charismatic 1970s fitness guru Rich ard Simmons. Based on what her students told me that day, she has succeeded. “I’m 77, but feel like I’m 37,” said Gali- ma, from Russia, who recovered from a pinched nerve in weeks thanks to Co lon’s class. “It was 100% a miracle.” “I’ve taken water Zumba for 30 years. She’s the best teacher I’ve ever had,” said Louise. “Before this class, I walked with a cane,” said Jayshree. “Now I can some times walk without it.” Like some of the other students, Jay shree can’t swim. By email, student Susan, who has been “profoundly deaf” since birth, told me she has no problem not hearing the music because she follows the move ments, which Colon enthusiastically makes very obvious. “She’s very warm and friendly and wants us to follow through,” said Susan. “I love that about her.” “People live to take her class,” said student Sarah. As for me, the gym rat, my muscles were sore the next day. PHOTOS BY CAROL NIEMI Marlene Colon, seen in the second row, second from the left, leads an Aqua Fusion class with drumsticks. INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS it'swhatwedo. Perimeter Community IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS For over Districts create two decades, the Perimeter Community Improvement has invested in access, mobility, and quality of life to a signature destination for corporate headquarters, hospitality, and retail. To learn more about how we improve quality of life in Central Perimeter visit perimetercid.org
