Category Archives: Allison Werner

Allison Werner, Columns, Forum, Video Updates

Personal Trainer Maddie Richards shows readers how to get fit in five

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At2CESybKXk]

Bagpiper: How did you become interested in fitness?

Maddie Richards: My parents met in the gym. My mom’s a P.E. teacher and my dad is a bodybuilder so I was always in the gym from when I was little and playing sports. Basically from birth I’ve been into fitness.

BP: What’s your favorite workout or move?

MR: I like circuit training the best. In between functional training like boxing and kettlebells, I like a lot of variety. But my favorite exercise is probably a pull-up.

BP: What do you recommend for beginner’s starting out?

MR: I would recommend them trying all kinds of different things. There are so many different aspects now that the fitness world has to offer, you can kind of find a niche in something that you like. Not everyone likes to run, not everyone likes to lift weights, but there’s things that you can do now recreationally and just to get you moving and started. There’s so many options. I would suggest trying as many different things in the beginning as possible and then finding something you like and go with that.

BP: What’s the key to staying motivated?

MR: I think everybody’s key is different, but definitely goal setting. If you’re trying to reach a certain point, you’re going to stay more goal orientated and along the way you might find something else that you become interested in and you just keep setting goals and trying to go towards those. That’s probably the biggest motivation I’ve found personally.

Allison Werner, Features

Music joins family and friends: Q&A with Phil Thomas

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By Allison Werner

Editor’s Note: This is an addition to a story published in the print publication.

Q&A session with Highland Hills Middle School band director Phil Thomas.

Phil Thomas: I am the band director at HHMS, the assistant director of the FC marching band, and I am also the director of the IUS concert band. I am also the assistant bugler at Churchill Downs! This is my 28th year teaching band in the NA-FC schools.

Bagpiper: When did you see Christian take an interest in music?

PT: Christian showed an interest in music at a very early age. He has always loved to sing. Being a band director and a musician myself, we always had instruments sitting around the house, especially brass instruments. Christian always loved to get his hands on them and experiment with making sounds.

BP: How does your musical background influence Christian?

PT: I think my musical background (as well as my wife’s) has influenced Christian in that there has always been music in our house. Since infancy, he heard either recorded or live music played at home practically every day. As he has gotten older, I think that my musical background has helped guide and coach him in his musical pursuits. Although at times, I am sure it has been a little frustrating for Christian having a professional musician and brass player living in the same house. He can tell you how many times he has been practicing in our basement at home only to have the basement door open and hear “Your second positions are a little low!” or “Are you sure you don’t want to run that last section again, SLOWER?” What I would have given to have a live-in brass coach at my house when I was growing up! (I guess it’s different when it’s your dad though.)

BP: How much time does music take up in Christian’s life?

PT: Music takes up a great deal of Christian’s time. I am sure he has told you about all of the groups in which he plays. This is on top of weekly trombone and piano lessons (and the practicing that goes along with them) as well as his own private students. And of course he is also one the FC pipers. All of the serious musicians at this school put in that kind of time though. It is what they love and what they do. As my wife and I have told Christian: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

BP: Were you always hoping your son would be involved with music?

PT: When Christian was growing up, we tried to make a conscious effort to not force him into music. We got him involved in a variety of activities and let him gravitate to what he enjoyed the most. Although, truth be told, I must admit that I am glad that it worked out to be music. It is especially enjoyable when Christian and I get the opportunity to perform together, such as in the pit orchestra for a musical or in the IUS orchestra.

BP: Do you have high expectations when it comes to music?

PT: Yes, I do have high expectations when it comes to music, both as a director and a performer. It is a very demanding discipline, but there is no greater reward for a musician than to perform challenging music extremely well.

PT: As far as anything else to add, I would just like to say how proud I am of my son and all of his musical accomplishments over the years. I am also very proud of the fact that he plans on majoring in music (and history) in college with the plan of one day being a Marine Band musician.

Abbie Ewing, Allison Werner, Features

St. Mary’s Navilleton Pumpkin Festival provides entertainment, contests

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By Allison Werner and Abbie Ewing

 

As a newer festival that is sure to keep growing, St. Mary’s Navilleton

Pumpkin Festival will take place this year for the third year in a row. And

as the name suggests, people can expect lots of pumpkins, but that is not

all that the festival will be offering. Games, craft booths, the Largest

Pumpkin Contest, face painting, bouncy houses, and performances by SIGS and

Backs Karate will be just some of the available activities.

 

With all of this going on, St. Mary’s has many volunteers helping out with

the festival. Sophomore Emily Naville is one of these helpers. She has

helped sell pumpkin ice cream at the fundraiser for the church. Naville

also enjoys the company of all the children that come to the festival with

their families.

“There’s a pumpkin decorating contest, and I like seeing kids get excited

about it.”

September 22, 2012 from 10 am to noon is when the Pumpkin Festival will

occur this year. There will be a Pork Barbecue Dinner in the Parish Hall

from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. For the adults, a dance featuring The Rumors will

take place from 8 pm to midnight in the Activities Center. To join in the

fun, visit www.stmarysnavilleton.com.

Allison Werner, Columns, Forum

Spring brings in new fashion trends

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By Allison Werner

With spring coming up, old and new trends will start to arise. In the fashion world, they are first showcased by designers putting together a fashion show. Then, people start to take notice of them. The people who decide to wear the latest trends take the designer look, tweak it a bit, and make it their own. With that being said, it is time to ditch those wool sweaters and heavy coats and dive into the bright spring season.

First up is my favorite category to discuss: makeup and beauty. One product to definitely try out would have to be BB creams. First introduced in Asia, this cream is a five-in-one product that hydrates, primes, perfects, controls oil, and protects skin. This is perfect for those mornings when putting on primer, foundation, concealer, and powder seems like a hassle and leaves the skin feeling cakey.

Another trend in the beauty world is hair painting. No, not actually taking a paintbrush and painting your hair. That would be a disaster. Hair painting, among the other trends, has to be the boldest. It is a mousse formula that when applied, creates vibrant highlights in your hair. It is a cheap alternative to getting it done at the salon. Plus, it is a reasonable price. Another added bonus: if the color looks awful in your hair or is just way too dark, it washes out within in one shampoo.

The next category is the most obvious: fashion. Designers put together a fashion show each year showing off the next big trends. One trend that is popular among the runways is the clean cut look. Whether it is a white dress, pearls, or a white blazer, elegance is in. Pair that with pastel colors and you have a recipe for success.

While elegance is in, do not be surprised to see bright, floral patterns. Whether it be on a dress, a skirt, or a shirt, floral is also in. Introduced in 2011, color blocking was the biggest craze. Now prints are being thrown into the mix. While print blocking is not completely out of season, it is more common in shoes now then clothes.

The last category for spring is nails. Boring one color nails do not cut it anymore. With Sally Hansen nail strips, colorful, pattered nails have never been so easy. Just peel off the back, stick them on nails, and ta-da. Now the hassles of waiting for the polish to dry and the stress of messing up the nails are gone. These strips will definitely strike up a conversation.

From makeup to fashion, there can be trends in just about anything. While some might be bolder than others, except to see them in the coming weeks. Do not be surprised if while walking to class, someone goes down the hallway with a floral dress and streaks in their hair. As the saying goes, expect the unexpected.

A&E, Allison Werner

CC Spa provides relaxing experience

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By Allison Werner

“Relax and de-stress.” These are the words I hear as I am about to get a facial. From the soothing voice of the esthetician doing my facial to the calming music in the background, CC Spa is anything but stressful.

First up was my 30-minute facial. I have never had a facial before and the only time I have heard of someone getting them are on T.V., or if they are rich. I loved getting a facial and will definitely get one again.

Usually the massage is the most relaxing part, but I have to say I think I was more relaxed during the facial. The esthetician first took a water soaked towel and put it on my face. After that, she put GLO clear complexion pads on my face. These are especially good if you have acne-prone skin. Every time she put a different product on me, she would then take more water and cleanse it again. This really helped the products soak into my skin and not all combine together and make my skin have more acne. When she put the products on, she would rub them in by making big circular motions.

Along with the soothing music in the background, it made me forget all my worries for a minute. I was not even thinking about the homework I still had left to do. A facial was the most relaxing thing I have ever had and will definitely be getting more in the future.

After my facial, I had a massage. Now I have had a massage there before so I knew what to expect. Like the facial room, it too had relaxing music playing. Like most people, this helps me unwind and gets my mind off my worries. I had my back and neck massaged and I could tell my back was definitely knotted. The reason is from constantly carrying around a heavy backpack. Unfortunately last time I went there, I had the same problem. Because of this, it caused the same effect:  A sore and sensitive back. The massage therapist suggested that I get them more often to take out the knots. Most people love massages and when my back does not hurt, I see why. It can be a stress reliever. I would also like to add this was not the person’s fault who massaged me. She was using the lightest touch on me.

If one is not into getting a facial or massage, CC Spa has other services to offer. Relax and get a manicure or pedicure, or just stop in to buy GLO products. They offer GLO makeup products and skincare. The atmosphere of the place, as it should be, is also very relaxing. With calm music, comfy couches, and the right lighting, this spa hit all the right marks in my opinion.

All in all, I would most definitely come back again. From the services offered to a relaxing atmosphere, CC Spa is a must visit on my list. Do not waste time searching for a spa that charges hundreds of dollars for one service, come to a spa that will not break the bank.