Morning Push

Kenny Haener of The Dalles gives the power sled a concerted push this morning, Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Gorge Athletic Club on Pamona Street in West The Dalles. The 26-year-old said he had been working out at the gym for the past three years and had dropped from 280 pounds to 225. “I need to be physical,” he said, noting his day job was at Verizon Wireless near Safeway. Haener goes to the gym about four times a week - down a bit since the birth of his 1-year-old son, Kameron. “This provides me a sense of relief from stress and frustration. I just put on the headphones and escape the world for an hour and a half. It makes me a better dad.”

Gorge Athletic Center currently allows up to 50 patrons at a time and they continue to have room at most times of the day. It is open Mon., Wed., Fri., from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m; Tues. and Thurs., 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday.