SOCIAL
Like a true community, let's make meaningful connections. On August 7,
a remarkable woman turned 80! As the ISPA community’s way to celebrate
the 80th birthday of Sheila Cluff, founder and owner of The Oaks at Ojai in
CONNECTIONS
California, Pulse dedicates this page to turn on the spotlight to an inspiring
woman who makes aging look effortless.
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SHEILA
TURNS
80!
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1. BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE: 1997—the year I decided to open
The Oaks at Ojai. I saw a need in this country for a health spa
focusing on overall physical, emotional and spiritual health instead
of a fat farm with negative connotations. In 1959 and 1960, I introduced “cardiovascular dance” to my high school gym students by
putting ice skating patterns of movement to piano music. This was
the very beginning of my company (Fitness, Inc.) which evolved
into The Oaks at Ojai.
2. FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: “Things work out best
for those who make the best of how things work out.”
— Legendary Coach John Wooden
3. SECRET TO LONGEVITY: Be active regardless of age.
I learned to oil paint and found that I am actually quite good at it!
At age 80, I will be having an art show at The Oaks in November.
Next on the bucket list is to learn how to paint with watercolors
from my fabulous instructor, Janis Hansen.
FAVORITE BIRTHDAY TREAT: Cheesecake is my all-time
favorite!
BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED: My husband of 56
years. We were married three weeks before my birthday.
MUSIC OR MOVIE THAT BRINGS YOU DOWN MEMORY
LANE: The play and movie, Annie Get Your Gun and the song
There’s No Business Like Show Business—I closed Sonja Henie’s
Hollywood Ice Revue with that tune. I was 19 years old and was
wearing a strapless red, white and blue costume with a calf-length
skirt. What a terrific time that was for me! Ahhh, the memories!
Although I am semi-retired, I still lead walks at The Oaks. My other
health philosophy that has served me well over the years is to make
good food choices 80 percent of the time. The other 20 percent of
the time, I just blow it!
CAN’T-LIVE-WITHOUT PIECE OF ACCESSORY: Sneakers!
4. ON TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST: I am proud to say that I
FAVORITE CHARITY YOU SUPPORT: Humane Society of
began checking items off my “bucket list” some time ago. At age
71, I returned to figure skating after a 45-year absence. My dream
then was to once again become skilled enough to compete internationally and nationally. By the time I was 78, I had achieved that
goal. While recuperating from a torn ACL while snow skiing,
Ventura County and Ojai Land Conservancy
ONE SUPERPOWER YOU’D LOVE TO HAVE: To see the future!
INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS YOU MOST ADMIRE: Deborah
Szekely and Dr. Kenneth Cooper ■
September 2016
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PULSE
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