Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and, for the first time in CNH’s history, 30 years of service and dedication to the neighbourhood house, were thanked by the Board of Directors.
Cheryl Hallman attended her first Jazzercise class in 1980, and she loved it! A year later, she became a Jazzercise instructor herself.
CNH’s previous Executive Director, Paula Carr, attended one of her classes and liked her so much she asked Cheryl if she would teach classes to the staff at CNH. It started with a few of the staff – Paula, Isolde, Satinder, and Kulwant. Eventually, CNH opened the classes to the public, and it just took off.
One of Cheryl’s favourite memories was when she was teaching a Saturday class. She was just finishing a routine and said, “Hold it right there!” All of a sudden, the power went off and the class was plunged into darkness. It turns out a fallen tree knocked out the power lines down the street. Cheryl ended class early that day and went for coffee with the class at the Bamboo Cafe instead!
In twenty years of teaching at CNH, Cheryl has some lovely memories from the community participants and staff. The participants love her energy, enthusiasm, and workout. She truly values the social connections she’s made at CNH.