Longfellow's "resident baker" Lynne Gassiraro

We at Longfellow are always delighted to discover the various hidden talents of our members. Our own Lynne Gassiraro, for example, is an accomplished pastry chef / baker. She is forever appearing at the club with trays filled to overflowing with homemade baked goods.

Her treats range from the deliciously simple - chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes and cakes, to goodies most sophisticated and sublime. There's been a Paris Brest Cake, which is a puffy hazelnut creme-fiiled treat shaped like a bicycle wheel. And recently she made a Chocolate Strawberry Pavola, which is a chocolate meringue disc with fresh strawberry glaze.

Lynne recently competed in Verrill Farms' annual Strawberry Baking Contest, in which her homemade Pavola earned a second place award. She tests recipes for Cook's Illustrated Magazine, baking and rating them for the publication. Longfellow's resident baker has also begun a new tradition, gifting Longfellow employees with a different cake every month. May saw a Carrot Cake, and June a Chocolate Cake with Chocolate frosting. We at Longfellow are eagerly awaiting this month's mystery treat! In addition to her role as the club's adopted pastry chef, Lynne is also dedicated to exercising here at Longfellow, and can often be found on various equipment in our upstairs exercise room. She had some great things to say about the club, which we've added below. Thanks Lynne - for your kind words and delicious baked treats!!!    

Click on the video above to hear Lynne's Longfellow story

"Longfellow Sports Club has a community feel that appeals to me. Over the years I have gotten to know most of the staff and some of the regular members as well. The club's friendly supportive atmosphere is welcoming to everyone of all ages and fitness levels. The cardio machines are plentiful and there is a huge variety of fitness equipment for all levels and abilities. As an active Longfellow member I don't complain that I have to go to the gym, I actually look forward to it!

The fitness staff at Longfellow Sports Club prides themselves in their ability to educate their members on how to use the equipment safely and effectively. Through small group classes and personal training, the staff teaches members that it is more about proper form and technique than about how much you can lift. Through working with personal trainers I've not only increased my strength and endurance, but my confidence to push myself even further."

JUNIOR SPECIAL TENNIS PROGRAMS

Here's a great night out for parents as well as kids. On Saturday, October 23 from 4:45 p.m. to 8 p.m., kids aged 4 - 9 are invited to come to the Racquet Club and have an evening of zip tennis (rackets and balls provided), pizza, and watch the movie,  "Marmaduke". While the kids are enjoying themselves, parents can have three hours of special time for themselves. Cost is $35.00/child, second child in a family is half price. Call the club at 508-653-4606 to sign up.

ADULT CLINICS

The second session of Adult Clinics start the first week in November. Clinics are available on Thursdays from 12 - 1:30; Monday nights 6:30 - 8 p.m. and 8 - 9:30 p.m., Wednesday nights 8 - 9:30 p.m. and Thursday nights 7:30 - 9 p.m.  If interested, call Holly at the club.

CARDIO TENNIS

Want to get some great exercise and hit lots of tennis balls? Come to one of our Cardio Tennis Classes - open to all levels of players, whether members or non-members. Classes are held on Mondays 11 - 12 noon, Wed. evenings 7 - 8 p.m., Friday mornings from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. & Saturday mornings from 8 - 9 a.m. It's a great way to build up your cardio fitness, meet new people, and have lots of fun.  Call the club to sign up.

MIXED DOUBLES

Every Sunday there is an opportunity for members and non-members to play mixed doubles from 6:30 - 8 p.m. with refreshments after the play.  The level of play is an intermediate level and you can sign up as an individual or as a team. Again, call the club to sign up.

• Our departing members and Longfellow owner/President Laury Hammel (center)

  Ken was the very first fitness member at Longfellow in 1984, a true pioneer
• Joanne engages everyone she comes in contact with, and is a wonderfully sweet person and Longfellow ambassador
• Catherine is an inspiration in her dedication to her health and her considerable flexibility
• Phil has used every square inch of Longfellow, as he never found an activity at Longfellow he didn't like.  He has introduced more than his share of new members to all that Longfellow has to offer. 

As many of you know, the annual Positive Spin for ALS Bike Ride scheduled for June 12 was postponed due to an unfavorable weather forecast. The new date has been set for Sunday, Sept. 18! Over the years the ride has raised over $700,000 for research and patient care for those afflicted with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). You can choose a 10, 25, 50, or 70 mile ride, all starting and ending at Longfellow with a cookout. The ride is in memory of Pete Farricker, Myke's brother, who passed away from ALS in 2001 at the age of 45. The picture to the left shows members of the 1982 Ultimate Frisbee World Championship Team that Pete was a member of, that rides each year in Pete's memory. So come join us at Wayland Longfellow, get some exercise riding through the beautiful backroads foliage of MetroWest, have some fun, and contribute to others less fortunate than ourselves. Hope to see you there!