[SPOKANE, Wash.] Judy Marcus has been enrolled in Spokane Community College’s ACT 2 classes since 1995 and she hasn’t looked back since.
The not-for-credit program is designed to empower people like Marcus to continue pursuing interests, prioritizing physical health and building community after retirement.
“I retired in 1993, and I was looking for something to do,” Marcus said. “As time went on, one of my sisters-in-law who was also retired noticed ACT 2, and she was also active and looking for something to do.”
Marcus started with dance fitness classes twice a week at what used to be Shirley’s Dance Studio on north Division. Marcus has stuck with aerobics since ‘95 but continues to find room to take ACT 2 classes that touch on other interests she has.
“There was a golfing class that came up, so I took some of those, I’ve done mosaic classes before, and I'm doing watercolor right now,” she said. “I just do these different things that catch my eye and that’s how I’ve got involved.”
She said the ability to choose when and what she participates in is one of the reasons she loves the program.
Marcus continues her ACT 2 routine even when she’s out of town and has found herself passing on her skills to other vacationers.
“My husband and I were in Hawaii for four months on vacation, and I would exercise in the swimming pool. Then eventually I was leading classes in the pool and that’s how it started,” she said.
Marcus believes if she stops sprucing up her day-to-day routines, she’ll quit all together, which is why she has stayed in the program for so long. ACT 2 has helped Marcus continue to enjoy the finer things in life since her retirement over 30 years ago.
“I just want to keep moving. I’m not going to sit and wait for somebody to want to do something, or I’d never do anything,” Marcus said. “I’m glad for the program. I’m happy they have something for seniors.”