Waterfront: November 2008

Swimming In Acceptance

One little boy finds hope from the heart

At 3 years old, the world seems pretty large, not to mention exciting. Everything is looked at with eager and innocent eyes. But for one little boy, being 3 has already brought on a slew of challenges, including discrimination.

Caleb Glover was born HIV-positive, and a little more than a year ago, while his family was camping in Alabama, they were told by the campground owners that Caleb couldn't use the restroom, showers or swimming pool because of his HIV status.

When the Minnesota-based One Heartland Center heard about Caleb's experience, they immediately took action and decided to build and dedicate a new pool in his honor. This past summer, One Heartland opened the pool, donated by Viking Pools, and the water play area, donated by Waterworld.

"We all know you cannot get HIV from being a friend, from swimming, from a hug, from a kiss," center founder and CEO Neil Willenson said during the dedication ceremony, "and that's why Caleb's here, he's going to be our first swimmer today!"

One Heartland has provided nearly 7,000 summer camp experiences for children and youth affected by HIV/AIDS during the past 15 years. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those facing HIV/AIDS and other life challenges.

Jane Lew, W.V.-based Composite Pools Hits The Small Screen

A recent Moving Up episode on TLC featured a couple who had won the lottery and were struggling to conserve their $600,000 prize money while their ambitious renovations spiraled out of control. While the couple wanted a pool and hot tub, in the end, they could only pick one.

On the DIY network's Inside Out, a North Carolina couple wanted to add a pool and pavilion to their house so they could enjoy the outdoors more. The end result: a backyard oasis featuring the pool, a stone patio and walkway, grilling station, flat-screen TV and more.

You Can Run, But You Can't Hide

Thieves try to hide in plain sight

When a Windsor, Ontario, police officer recently spotted a stolen Jeep, he did what he was trained to do: pursue the vehicle. Only these drivers were up for a chase. They narrowly missed colliding with another vehicle before crashing into a light pole and fleeing on foot.

While one suspect was "smart enough" to hide in a neighboring home's pool accessory storage box, the other thought he'd best be concealed soaking in a hot tub in nearby backyard.

Needless to say, they both were arrested and face charges of possession of stolen property, dangerous driving and resisting arrest.

Puttin' On The Ritz

Paris knows style. (And, no, I'm not talking about Paris Hilton.) The Ritz Paris boasts the largest, and arguably the most beautiful private swimming pool in La Ville-lumière (The City of Light).

Dubbed one of the best hotel pools by Forbes Traveler, this lavish indoor waterscape was inspired by many a muse: the English painter Alma Tadema and the ancient Roman baths, just to name two. Frescoes and mosaics dress the walls throughout the health club, which features a squash court, whirlpools, saunas and steam baths.

From Water To Words

Michigan manufacturer pens a book

"I've always enjoyed just writing humorous recollections of events," says Richard Mouw, owner of Almost Heaven Saunas, Macatawa, Mich. So when his schedule allowed more time for writing, he took advantage.

"A couple of years ago, I was doing a lot of traveling. In the hotels at night and on the plane, I just started writing little recollections about this dog I was not liking."

After some encouragement from this wife, Mouw submitted the manuscript to publishers and was picked up by Tate Publishing. Mason or Me: How a Nice Guy Like me Came to Loathe My Dog made its debut on Oct. 14.

The 120-page book features hilarious anecdotes about how Mouw came to have such disdain for Mason and other furry pets throughout his life. For more information, visit www.masonorme.com.