Don’t you wish summer would always be here? Well, it is here, same time every year. But how about in the midst of January? Instead of the cold winter winds whipping around the corner, we can have the blazing hot sun. Instead of running for cover, we can run for the shade. “When will I wear my fur coat?” you ask. Hmmm, that is a problem. Better to stick with what we have and be grateful. After all, who wants to forgo the sweet smell of spring flowers in the air, the crispness of fall and the winter snowflakes on your nose and eyelashes.
Not missing anything is Dr. Michele Claudette Reed, aka the Fit Doc. A wife, mother, health and wellness advocate, author and business owner, Dr. Reed is an inspiration to us all. The last time I spoke with her, she had just completed the NYC Marathon. Since then, the family medicine physician, owner and medical director of MS Family Medicine Health Care, P.C, a holistic practice that serves two locations, in Rosedale, Queens and Garden City, N.Y., and also the community medical director for the Congregational Church of South Hempstead, has written a book. “Mentally Fit, Physically Strong: The Fit,” is the Fit Doc’s guide to “real life, real fitness, real health.” Released in May 2017, it has already become a best-seller on Amazon.com.
The book offers fascinating details of effective doses of fitness remedies for daily healthy living. According to Reed, “Healthy living doesn’t have to be hard. Simple solutions can create significant outcomes. Even five minutes is enough when you maximize every moment with intention.” The book is a simple guide to understanding patterns, habits and beliefs that undermine personal best behaviors. Reed’s advice to “change your mood, change your body” is proving to be a way to nourish the body, mind, spirit and emotions.
Syndicated radio personality Angelique Perrin can’t say enough about “Mentally Fit, Physically Strong” or about Dr. Reed. Perrin stated, “My mother said, ‘You can have everything, just not all at once.’ Then I met Dr. Reed … She has learned the formula for having it all, at once, without losing your mind. There are plenty of ‘superwomen’ who are clearly juggling more than they should. ‘Mentally Fit, Physically Strong’ teaches us how to not only navigate life’s terrain, but to thrive and truly enjoy the process. This isn’t a book for someone looking for a magic pill to make life go smoothly. Dr. Reed encourages us to first step up and be proactive about our health and fitness. She imparts bitesize portions of wisdom for sustainable change. I’ve watched her live by these principles. Those who have followed her lead go from frazzled superwomen to being grounded and confident in their ability to take on life’s next adventure.”
Dr. Reed received her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and her medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a Long Island native, where she lives with her husband and twin sons. Most recently, Dr. Reed and her husband, Scott Kershaw, Esq., entered a joint venture managing NX Generation Athletics in Westbury, N.Y. Additionally, Dr. Reed is a weekly contributor to “Late Night Parents with Ted Hicks.”
The Riverton roll call continues with Sammy Lowe, Daryl Cook, Allison Galloway, Sharon Mosely, Ann Patrick, Durinda and Roslyn Drake, Adrienne Green, Frankie Jackson, Ann Marie Jackson, Bobby Wingate, Dennis Skinner, Curt Foster, Stephen Johnson, Roger and Lynn Wareham and Kim Taylor. All, and then some, are looking forward to the reunion celebrating Riverton’s 70th Anniversary Saturday, July 22. From 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Rivertonians will gather at the flagpole area at Riverton Square, located on East 135th Street between Fifth and Madison avenues. At 6 p.m. the gathering moves on for an award ceremony at Bishop Perry Hall (St. Mark Church), 57 W. 138th St. As the story goes, during the summer of 1972, a group of men and women who spent a significant part of their childhood and adolescent years in the Riverton Houses in Harlem decided to have a reunion basketball game. The reunion was so successful that it became a tradition. It wasn’t long before people traveled from various parts of the country to attend. In 1997, at Riverton’s 50th Anniversary celebration, the Calvin Ramsey Scholarship Fund was announced, with Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright being its first contributor. Calvin (Cal) Ramsey was a role model and mentor for many of the Riverton old-timers.
“Down by the Riverside,” a documentary about the history of Riverton, was screened at Riverton’s 60th Anniversary celebration in 2007.The film was produced by Riverton old-timers Ken Sargeant, Keith Hunter, M.D., and Glenn Hunter. Those same three founded the Harlem Cultural Archives in 2008, when they realized there was not an active historical society devoted to memorializing and promoting the study of Harlem’s rich history and numerous noteworthy contributions.
The Riverton Alumni Ring of Gold was established in 2013, with its first inductees announced during the reunion celebration. The inductees were as follows: Public Service—Mayor David N. Dinkins, Dudley M. Glasse, Councilman Hilton B. Clark, Secretary Robert C. Weaver and Commissioner Pelham Fritz; Riverton Staff—Clifford Alexander Sr., Mildred Bell, Cleo Gates, Robert “Bobby” Hinton, William “Bill” Neal and Leroy “Bootsie” Dunn; Education—Jean Hutson and Constance Wright; Entertainment—Rosetta LeNoir, Dr. Billy Taylor, Phil Medley and Sam Lowe; Medicine—Dr. John L.S. Holloman Jr. and Dr. R. Chester Redhead; Law—Judge Constance Baker Motley and Judge Bruce McMarion Wright; Military—Wilfred DeFour and Zeb Chaney; and Sports—William “Dolly” King, Clarence “Puggy” Bell, William “Pop” Gates and Cal Ramsey.
The newest inductees to the Riverton Alumni Ring of Gold will be as follows:
Public Service—Judge Robert J. Mangum, Judge Livingston L. Wingate and Richard Toussaint; Education—Barbara DePasse and Batya Lewton; Art/Entertainment—Alma John, Sherman Edmiston and Suzanne DePasse; Law—Roger Wareham and Judge Fritz W. Alexander II; and Military—Clifford Alexander Jr.
The Riverton old-timers continue to stay in touch with one another on their Facebook page, “Riverton Revisited.” The page contains numerous photographs, and its membership has surpassed 450.
Until next week … kisses.