Issue 86 - October 14, 2026 | | | | |
Introducing ...
Andrew
Member since 2021
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“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” For Liberty member and writer Andrew, poet Mary Oliver’s question is a reminder of what truly matters: staying active, spending time with the people he loves, and finding his way back to the sports he has missed.
After a stroke in January, Andrew’s time at the club took on a different focus. He had planned to begin lifting weights and running when he turned 40, but rehabilitation landed him there a few months early. Sessions with Ome gave him a starting point, and he now trains in the space near the basketball court, often stopping to shoot a few baskets on his own. He misses the energy and familiar faces of Saturday morning basketball and hopes to join the games again soon.
Basketball is part of Andrew’s working life, too. As MLive’s Michigan basketball beat writer, he covered the team’s championship season, then turned what he saw and learned into Portal Power: The Inside Story of Michigan Basketball’s Championship Season, a book coming in November.
Through his recovery, Andrew’s wife and two daughters have been his greatest motivation, and Liberty is part of life for the whole family. Andrew enjoys playing tennis, especially outdoors, and finds that a half hour in the pool helps clear his head. His wife works out and plays tennis, too, while their daughters swim, climb the rock wall, and enjoy the play structure.
Away from the club, Andrew’s ideal day includes time in nature with his family and two dogs. Add a good tennis match and a Washtenaw Dairy ice cream cone, and it’s a lovely answer to Mary Oliver’s question.
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Only a Few Spots Left! Register Today!
Sunday, October 18
1:00–2:30 p.m.
Get ready for a spooktacular afternoon of family fun! Kids will enjoy Halloween-themed games, exciting challenges, dancing, and treats along the way!
Only a few spots remain for this Sunday's complimentary event. Don't miss out; register your children today!
Costumes are encouraged, but please choose one that allows your child to move and play safely.
Members only. Registration is required for participating children; adults do not need to register. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Spooktacular Halloween Group Fitness Classes!
Get into the Halloween spirit with two frightfully fun group fitness classes! Dress up, get moving, and enjoy a complimentary guest pass for coming in costume!
Halloween Monstrous Movie Dance Party (Dance Beat)
Tuesday, October 27
5:45–7:00 p.m.
Justin and Lisa are back to cast their spell over the dance floor! Join Liberty's legendary Halloween duo for a high-energy dance party inspired by your favorite scary movies. Come dressed as a ghost, ghoul, horror movie villain, or favorite fright-night character and dance the night away! This class replaces the regularly scheduled Dance Beat.
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Beastly Beat Cycle: Spooky Sprints & Haunted Hills
Saturday, October 31
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Clip in for a frightfully fun ride with Lea! Enjoy 60 minutes of spooky sprints and haunted hill climbs, all set to your favorite Halloween classics. No weights...just a heart-pumping cycling workout! Costumes are encouraged, but don't worry: your costume only needs to make it through the door, not the entire ride!
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Sip Into Fall at Café Liberty!
Fall flavors are here! Treat yourself to our delicious Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, filled with the warm, cozy flavors of the season. Available now through the end of November, it's the perfect way to enjoy a little taste of fall. Stop by Café Liberty, and try one today!
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Birthdays Are Better at Liberty!
Make your child's next birthday one to remember with a fun-filled celebration at Liberty! From splashing in our indoor waterpark to climbing the rock wall and exploring the play structure, there's plenty of excitement for everyone!
We'll take care of the party space, decorations, and fun; you just bring the food, birthday child, and guests!
Party packages start at $325 for members, with options for up to 15 children and two hours of birthday fun. Parties are available for children turning 5 and older.
Let us handle the party planning while you enjoy the memories! Reserve your child's special day today!
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Kids’ Night Out ... and Parents’ Night Off!
Friday, November 13
Ages 5-13
Kids' Night Out is back this fall!
Enjoy an evening away while your kids experience a safe and exciting night out at Liberty! Registration includes dinner, games/crafts, and lifeguarded swimming. We will end the night by preparing for bedtime with a late-night snack and a short kids show.
Registration is required and is available four weeks in advance through the mobile app, the online member portal, or by calling the front desk at 734-665-3738, ext. 110.
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Hot Tub Cleaning Schedule Update
Beginning Wednesday, October 14, the hot tub will be closed for routine cleaning every Wednesday from 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep our facilities clean and well-maintained!
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Flight of Yoga Recap
In honor of National Yoga Month and Healthy Aging Month, Liberty hosted a special “Flight of Yoga “event on Friday, September 25, welcoming over 50 members. Yoga mats and blocks blanketed the twinkle-lit basketball court, clusters of candles created a central aisle for the instructors to demonstrate poses, and the Rob Crozier Duo enhanced the mood of the evening with subtle notes of jazz. Yoga instructors Cheryl, Kimberly, J.T., Julie, and Tess led participants through rotating flights of Hatha, Yin, Core, and Vinyasa - demonstrating poses and assisting yogis as needed. This restorative session was followed by a wine and cheese reception coupled with relaxing conversation and plenty of good cheer.
| | | From the desk of Bethany Williston, M.S., Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Liberty Athletic Club | | | |
BMI is out, and BRI is in!
BMI (Body Mass Index) had become the gold standard for measuring healthy weight for height. Sometimes, though, it can be skewed high for very muscular and/or short individuals, incorrectly classifying them as obese.
BRI (Body Roundness Index) measures your height relative to your waist circumference to estimate your total body fat and visceral fat distribution. The more fat you have at your waist, the higher your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and chronic inflammation.
Use the Body Roundness Calculator to find out your risk based on your gender, age, height, weight, and waist circumference. If your BRI is above healthy levels, decrease the ultra-processed foods in your diet and replace them with lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.
Results are best considered alongside other health measures and discussed with a healthcare provider.
| | | TENNIS NEWS & INFORMATION | | |
From the desk of Dan Goldberg, Director of Tennis | |
Tennis Tip of the Month - The Overhead
If you’re a player who likes to dominate at the net, an effective overhead smash is a necessary part of your game. Here are a few tips:
- When you see the lob, immediately turn and move back from a sideways position to get behind the ball, and start to get your racquet tip up into a throwing position with your non-dominant hand fully extended and pointing to the ball.
- Most players tend to let the lob drop too low. Let the racquet drop down your back, and reach up so the racquet is fully extended at contact.
- With a relaxed grip, snap your wrist at contact and finish the swing down by your hip on the opposite side of your body.
- Follow the deep to deep and close to close strategy. If you’re around the service line or deeper in the court, prioritize depth. If you’re in close, target a sharp angle to win the point.
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Early Morning Cardio Classes
For those players who like an early morning tennis workout, we are offering several Monday early morning Cardio Tennis sessions led by Coaches Maria and Paul on the following upcoming dates:
Monday, October 19
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Monday, November 2
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Monday, November 16
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Registration is currently open for these sessions.
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Upcoming Pop-Up Cardio Classes
Don't forget to join us for our speical pop-up cardio tennis sessions, too!
Sunday, October 25
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 22
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Registration opens 30 days in advance of each class.
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Adaptive Tennis
Serving adults and children with disabilities, this program advocates that tennis can be adapted so that everyone can play and enjoy the sport. Classes will be led by Liberty Athletic Club’s Head Tennis Professional, Dean Boodakian. Register by calling Liberty Athletic Club at 734-665-3738, ext. 110. Members may register online or through the mobile app.
Tennis dates:
Friday, November 13, 2026
Friday, December 11, 2026
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Ball Machine Update – Back in Action!
Great news! Our ball machine has been repaired and is now back and ready for use. Thank you for your patience and understanding while it was out of service. Happy hitting!
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Upcoming Junior Tournaments
USTA tournaments offer competitive opportunities giving young athletes a valuable chance to develop their skills, gain match experience, and earn ranking points. These events are an important step in a player’s development and growth and are strongly recommended if your child is a part of our junior competitive program and is interested in taking their game to the next level. Tournaments range from Level 7 (entry level) to Level 1 (top national level). Newer tournament players should start with Level 6 or 7 events.
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We are Hiring
We are seeking outgoing and motivated individuals to join our team. We are accepting employment applications for the following positions:
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Front Desk Associate - Liberty Athletic Club is in search of an enthusiastic team member to join the front desk team. The primary goal of this position is to ensure members and guests have a pleasant experience. The front desk accommodates the members/guests requests within the guidelines of Liberty. Currently hiring for Thursday, 5:00-10:00 a.m. and Friday, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
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Group Fit Bootcamp/Power Strength Instructor - We are seeking an energetic and motivated Group Fit Bootcamp/Power Strength Instructor to lead dynamic group fitness classes that inspire members to achieve their fitness goals. This paid role is perfect for passionate fitness professionals eager to deliver engaging workouts, motivate participants, and contribute to a vibrant fitness community. The ideal candidate will possess a diverse skill set in strength training, cardio conditioning, and group coaching, with a focus on safety and effective program delivery. Must have evening/early morning and weekend availability, must be able to teach two classes per week.
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Swim Instructors - In Liberty’s Learn-to-Swim Program, our instructors teach life skills and provide a positive, memorable, safe, and fun experience for members of all ages. Lifeguard and CPR/AED certifications are required and may be obtained within 30 days upon being hired. Various after-school and weekend shifts are available. Pay is commensurate with experience.
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Facilities & Maintenance Manager - The Facilities & Maintenance Manager is responsible for the overall operation, safety, maintenance, and condition of Liberty Athletic Club's buildings, grounds, equipment, pools, and facility systems. This position provides strategic and technical leadership for the Facilities & Maintenance Department and ensures that the club is maintained to high standards of safety, functionality, cleanliness, and appearance. The Manager works closely with the facilities supervisor, department managers, contractors, and club leadership to establish priorities, maintain preventive maintenance programs, manage projects, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations. The Manager is ultimately accountable for the performance of the Facilities & Maintenance Department while delegating the daily supervision of the Facilities team to the Facilities Supervisor. Full-time position (35-38 hours per week) including one evening shift and one weekend shift.
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Facilities Supervisor - The Facilities Supervisor is a hands-on working supervisor responsible for the daily operation and performance of Liberty Athletic Club's Facilities team. The Supervisor maintains high standards of cleanliness while leading, training, scheduling, and coaching Facilities employees. This position works regular facilities shifts, assigns and verifies cleaning tasks, conducts routine inspections, ensures staffing and coverage, and works closely with the Facilities & Maintenance (F&M) Manager to address facility and staffing concerns. Full-time position (35 hours per week) including one evening shift and one weekend shift
All positions provide a complimentary membership to the club and a 25% discount on services in the café and personal training when working a minimum of two shifts per week.
Interested applicants may download the Liberty Employment Application. Please contact Colette Kress, Human Resources Manager, at 734.665.3738 ext. 118 or via email at hr@libertyathletic.net with questions or to submit an application.
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"Fall is proof that change is beautiful." |
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2975 W. Liberty Rd. • (734) 665.3738
www.libertyathletic.net
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