Ripples Fitness Center was established in September of 1993 by Heidi A. Nelson and Kerry Hannify Morin, both of Westminster, Vermont, at the time. The reason for the purchase was because Fitness Centers were depleting in Bellows Falls and there would be no where to get fit. It was also established for a retirement venture for Heidi.

Why the name “Ripples?” Heidi came up with that, envisioning a well defined abdominal area with “ripped” muscles. Some have thought to the contrary and the name means a person already has “ripples” and is trying to get rid of them. So, it has a double meaning of sorts.

Both Heidi and Kerry graduated from Brattleboro Union High School. Heidi attended Florida State University for 2 years. She came back to Vermont to join the Vermont State Police and did so in February of 1987. She served 17 years and retired on a medical retirement as a Dectective Sergeant from the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force. She joined the Windham County Sheriff's Department for 3 years and left as a Captain. She also taught Law Enforcement at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro. Heidi now works at Ripples part-time and at Vitri-Forms, Inc. part-time, for her sister in Halifax, VT. She has resided in Westminster for 16 years and lives with her partner and their 2 dogs. Kerry attended the University of Vermont and received a BA in Small Business Administration. She received her Master's Degree at Western New England College for Engineering Management. She is employed by Data-Mail and resides with her son, step daughter, and husband in Southington, CT. Kerry is also the owner of JDM Manufacturing in Connecticut.

Heidi and Kerry worked very hard on a Business Plan and presented it to the Town of Rockingham in hopes of obtaining a low interest loan through the Development Grant. Their hard work paid off and they were contracted the loan.

18 The Spuare would never look the same again. Heidi and Kerry along with friends and family spent numberous hours scrubbing, scraping, painting, and cleaning until it was up to their standards. The candle was definitely burning at both ends and it was evident from the blood, sweat, and tears that frequently rolled off them.

Ripples began to build from its base of memberships to a comfortable number. In a short amount of time the staff was steady and reliable. Something unique began to form and still holds true to this day. Ripples wasn't just a Fitness Center it was a family. A place to gather for coffee and chat about aerobics, programs, the daily news, tattoos, dogs, chocolate and diets to name a few. Ripples earned a reputation for being a very clean gym and the staff as being personable. Friendships were formed each and every day.

In 2008, Heidi was approached by the Greater Rockingham Area Services (GRAS) with an idea of moving Ripples to the ground floor of the Rockingham Health Center. The first thought was, “are you kidding?” How do you move an entire gym from the third floor and how do you walk away from 15 years of memories at the same place? Then it struck me...no more walking up 3 flights of stairs...the smell of new paint and a brand new facility. Needless to say, the new Ripples was laid out and constructed. The move was tough and tiring and how we did it in a weekend I will never know!!! But, we are now located at 1 Hospital Court in Bellows Falls, Vermont.

Ripples continues its reputation of cleanliness and friendliness. The new facility is great and provides much more opportunity for additional classes and programs. Stop in and take a tour of the facility and talk with the friendly staff about your needs and personal goals.