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LEN WILSON
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Greetings!
This is a getaway column as the Wilsons travel up to Cape Cod, where we plan to meet Barb and Roy Taylor for three days of activity and fellowship with YMCA alumni from the New England and McBurney chapters. Sorry more of our members couldn’t attend, but the fall is a busy season, and the Cape is not right around the corner for most of us.
We regret having to leave the shore during the balmy fall days with the ocean breaking on the shoreline beneath magnificent sunrises.
I recently celebrated one of those “milestone” birthdays. I was fortunate to have friends from our chapter visiting that week to help us celebrate with food, fellowship, and a special YMCA Alumni cake. The cake was so yummy that I ordered another one with pickleball themes to share with about 80 pickleball friends at our local courts in Ocean City. Pickleball has become so popular with players of all ages that I encourage all of you to give it a try with a friend who is already addicted. Be sure to read YMCA Alumni President Phill Morgan’s article about learning to play in the current issue of Perspective e-zine.
Our recent luncheon at a nearby winery was blessed with perfect weather and a good turnout of retirees enjoying the food and conversations. It could become a convenient place for another gathering. The food was excellent, and although I am no judge of wine, several members purchased their favorites.
Let’s all try to be present for our Christmas luncheon. It’s always a spirited time with an opportunity to purchase some excellent auction gifts donated by our members. All proceeds go to our designated chapter service projects. Cathy has sent out several reminders, so circle Thursday, December 4, as a must-attend event to be with our YMCA friends.
It’s important that we keep encouraging our Y friends who have recently retired to consider joining our chapter and receiving our outstanding newsletter. The Christmas luncheon might be a chance to spend some of our recruitment budget. If you convince a recently retired friend to attend, let them know that our chapter is more than willing to buy them and their spouse lunch.
Best wishes and good health for the rest of the fall season.
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BY THE SEA, BY THE SEA
BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA
| Top row L-R: Pete and Frannie Smith, Walt and Cathy Fromm, Jerri Jo and Bob Ballard. Bottom row L-R: Mark and Shelly Elsasser, Roy and Barbara Taylor, Joe and Veronica Elais, Hank and Lois Van Zanten, Betty and John Eikrem, Kurt Kramer, Jen Helm Clarke, Joyce and Len Wilson. | | Left top and bottom: Kurt Kramer and Barb Taylor; Ed and Jen Helm Clarke, Joyce Wilson; Middle: Birthday buddies Len Wilson and Frannie Smith share the day; Right top and bottom: Hank Van Zanten, Cathy and Walt Fromm, Lois Van Zanten; Mark Elsasser, Kurt Kramer, John Eikram and Cathy Fromm. | | |
Some 18 chapter members and 2 guests gathered at Len and Joyce Wilson’s home in Strathmere, NJ to enjoy a day at the shore and celebrate Len’s 85th birthday.
Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day with rain threatening for late afternoon, but the atmosphere inside the Wilson’s shore home was festive with conversations breaking out all over the house and patios.
The food was plentiful and very tasty, thanks to the great cooks that belong to our chapter. The special seafood chowder traditionally made by a friend of the Wilsons was plentiful and some were able to take it home.
Because of the weather forecast, the special pickleball gathering was rescheduled but Len received lots of pickleball memorabilia to help celebrate his birthday. As always, it was great fun to gather together with colleagues and chapter friends.
| | Top L to R: Joe and Veronica Elais, Roy Taylor, Len Wilson, Ed Clarke, Barbara Taylor, Joyce Wilson, Jen Helm Clarke, Lois and Hank Van Zanten, Walt and Cathy Fromm, Debbi Zvanut, Jay Schaffer. Below L-R Jen Helm Clarke, Lois and Hank Van Zanten, Jay Shaffer, Joe Elais. | | A VISIT TO EVANSBURG VINEYARDS | | |
Our chapter members visited the Evansburg Vineyards on Oct. 3 on Germantown Pike in Collegeville. It was a perfect day to be at the Vineyards. This family boutique winery and bistro had a nice selection of hand-crafted wines to pair with delicious Mediterranean and American cuisine. It was a lovely afternoon, enjoying the company of colleagues and friends. We'll be back.
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CHRISTMAS IS A-COMING;
THE GOOSE IS GETTING FAT
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The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s time to think about our Annual Christmas luncheon and auction. We are moving our luncheon a bit closer to Philly this year. We will celebrate at Toscano 52 (4603 Street Road, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053) on Thursday, December 4, from noon to 3 p.m. The restaurant is not far from the PA Turnpike and Route 1, which should make it more convenient for members.
In addition to seeing friends and colleagues and enjoying a good meal, we will hold our auction to benefit various chapter projects. We are dispensing with the White Elephant gifts from members to focus on the auction. Please bring a gift for the auction. Len and his trusty assistants will be working hard to raise funds. Watch for a flyer with more information very soon.
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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND
DISASTERS HIT STAFF AND RETIREES
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Since January, there have been numerous wildfires, especially in So. California, where thousands lost their homes, and as many as 440 died from related causes. Severe storms and tornadoes numbering 1,296 so far have slammed other parts of the country, and the hurricane season has at least six weeks to go. In Texas,136 lost their lives in unbelievable floods. Many of them were children at summer camp. Clearly, we live on a planet that occasionally tries to kill us. There have been so many disasters this year that it’s really hard to keep up.
Quite a few of the people affected are YMCA staff and Alumni, but because of people like you and your continued generosity, EAF is there to help, just like it has been for more than a century. We take care of our own.
YMCA professionals and YMCA Alumni fund EAF...that's all of us. Together, our combined donations have a major impact on the lives disrupted by unexpected and extreme economic hardships. Please join in supporting EAF again this year and know your gift will make a vital difference for a colleague in need.
Please click the button below to donate online or mail your 2025 EAF donation to: Emergency Assistance Fund, YMCA of the USA--Fin. Dev., 16th Floor, 101 N Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
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IT'S TIME TO RE-CONNECT
2026 MEMBERSHIPS OPEN NOW
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Our annual YMCA Re-Connect time is underway. You will receive a snail mail packet from YMCA Alumni in early November. Or, click on the button below and re-connect safely online. Being a member has its perks. You get to enjoy the company and fellowship of the many friends you made during your career. In addition, we have various newsletters that keep you informed about what’s happening in our YMCA world.
Plus, you have the opportunity to travel the world on outstanding cruises and tours through our YMCA Alumni Travel Club. It doesn’t get better than that! So, get out your checkbook or credit card and re-connect. If you have questions, email Cathy Fromm. Don’t forget, you can donate to our chapter or the National YMCA Alumni at the same time. Our dues are quite low, and your donation really helps the chapter.
| | WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE OUR MEMBERS? | Debbi and Carl on the beach in Riccione; on a gondoa ride and Carl (second from right) enjoying the cycling. | | |
DEBBI and CARL ZVANUT were delighted to find themselves packing for two weeks in Italy in September. In 2024, a pair of biking enthusiasts approached Carl, the president of the Lehigh Valley Cycling Club, about taking a biking vacation to Italy at a cycling program based in Riccione, a beach town on the Adriatic Sea.
Carl loves to cycle and keeps himself in shape by biking in the Lehigh Valley hills and felt Tuscany, Italy would be a fun and challenging trip. The bonus was non-biking spouses were welcome to come and enjoy the sights and the food. While Carl was biking, Debbi enjoyed the beach, visiting a winery, having lunch at a place where they brewed the Aceto Balsamico vinegar (that Italy is known for), a boat ride on the Adriatic Sea and a day trip to San Marino, a City/State within Italy. Carl said the biking was indeed challenging and the scenery was outstanding.
They also went to Florence and saw the sights: Michelangelo’s David , The dome, Accademia Gallery, Music Exhibition, Galileo Museum where Debbi got to see 20 of Galileo’s telescopes. The food was fabulous and meals with wine and dessert was very reasonable.
In Venice, Debbi and Carl explored the city mostly by boat. They enjoyed a romantic gondola ride touring the Grand Canal. They also visited the city of glass on the Island of Murano. It was glass week so the displays were all about the history and production. As a glass artist, Debbi loved the use of murrini’s, beautiful miniature glass pieces that are fused together to create beautiful dishes and jewelry.
| | Alane joins Work Wave #3 in Dupree, SD as our National Service Project winds to a close. L-R: Homes around the Medicine wheel; Alane tackles some painting and a completed tiny home interior. | | |
ALANE McCAHEY was excited to head to South Dakota to be a part of the National Service Project as a participant in Wave 3 from September 9-16. If you have been following the National Service Project's progress, you know that four tiny homes have been built on the Cheyenne River Reservation. This project supports and will be a spring board for the YMCA of the Seven Councils Fires' vision to address the housing crisis in Dupree.
The dedication of YMCA alumni, their families, friends, staff, board members, and the community was inspiring. The volunteers' spirit and commitment reinforced Alane’s belief in the power of collective effort. Sitting inside the Medicine Wheel, she felt the profound impact these homes will have. Alane is grateful to everyone involved, especially George, Julie, and Pam, for their support and friendship. This experience once again renewed her pride in being a YMCA Alumni member. Alane was overjoyed to be able to help “put the icing on the cake” to quote George Painter.
| | Walt Fromm recently sold his 1969 Cadillac DeVille after 54 years of proud ownership. Oh, the memories! Oh, the weeping and gnashing of teeth when she left. It was a tough decision to say goodbye, but it was time. Walt hopes the new owner will love her as much as he did. Isn’t she a beauty? | | |
GO SEE, GO DO, GO TRAVEL
2026 ADVENTURES AWAIT; DON'T DELAY
| | Join YMCA Alumni aboard the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer in July. | | |
SPRINGTIME IN THE CARIBBEAN AND BEYOND
Your choice of dates and cruises:
March 14 - 21, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Basseterre, St Kitts.
April 18 - 25, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Key West, FL; Bimini, Bahamas; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos.
April 25 - May 8, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Port Canaveral to Southampton, UK with port stops in Bermuda, Azores, Lisbon, Portugal, and Southampton (close to London), UK (transatlantic cruise).
April 26 - May 2, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Beyond. Round trip from Miami, FL, with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Perfect Day, Cocobay, Bahamas.
(Note: The Celebrity Apex and Beyond are new ships launched in the past few years.)
May 10-17, 2026:
WIDOW AND WIDOWERS CRUISE: It's a Time of Renewal as our YMCA Alumni Travel Club takes part in this very special cruise aboard the Celebrity Beyond where shared journeys, uplifting workshops, meaningful connections, and the joy of travel come together to bring comfort, renewal, and new beginnings.
June 5-12, 2026:
ALASKA - THE LAST FRONTIER: We'll cruise before the huge summer crowds arrive. Depart from Vancouver, B.C., and return to Seattle aboard the Celebrity Edge.
July 20-25, 2026:
STUNNING VISTAS ABOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER: Travel in Premier Class through stunning scenery from Denver to Salt Lake City with highlights viewed from the train’s expansive glass-dome coaches.
Sept. 13-23, 2026:
CLASSIC CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND: A colorful 10-day YMCA Alumni fall cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess along Eastern Canada and New England's Atlantic Coast from Quebec City to Boston.
Oct. 4-13, 2026:
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SPAIN: Embark on an unforgettable guided C.I.E. luxury motor coach tour through the marvelous cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona.
Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2026:
YARN, FUN AND SUN: A unique 7-day Caribbean cruise vacation aboard the Celebrity Apex for our YMCA Alumni members who love to knit.
SOLD OUT IN 2026: SCENIC SWITZERLAND BY RAIL and AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY CRUISE ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY 2.
Family members and referred friends of YMCA Alumni members are welcome on all YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and to book individual travel. YMCA Alumni receives a contribution from all bookings.
Visit us on Facebook each Travel Tuesday and watch for the next edition of Going Places in your email Nov. 15.
Contact YMCA Alumni Travel Club:
(407) 774-2229
ymcaalumni@gotravel.com
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