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LEN WILSON
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Hello Craig,
Congratulations, we survived another winter, as well as the three coldest months of the year. Brrr, it was nippy, and I’m pretty sure none of us really enjoyed all the ice.
I am personally warmed and heartened to have the assurance of friends within our retiree group that I can count on for fellowship and fun no matter how cold it gets.
It has taken a couple of officer meetings and gatherings to firm up some exciting and new events for our Spring, Fall, and Christmas outings. Details are in this edition of Clippings. We have a new venue for our Christmas luncheon featuring great food and a spacious private meeting room.
We are looking forward to being hosted by Hank and Lois van Zanten and learning more about living in a senior community. A tour of Valley Forge with lunch in the area will be a great experience.
Joyce and I hope we have a great turnout at our shore home in Strathmere in September, during the delightful “shoulder season.” That usually means great weather and few beach crowds.
We enjoyed the company of Alane and John McCahey and Ken and Chris White on the YMCA Alumni Reunion-at-Sea Cruise in January. This edition has accounts of the voyage and pictures that will provide an overview.
Your leadership team has accepted the goal of recruiting 10 new members this year and retaining all our first-year members from last year. Perhaps you are personally acquainted with some friends that fall within that group. Our chapter could use your help keeping our membership growing. New retirees are unfamiliar with the camaraderie enjoyed by our professional and kindred groups, which are no longer functioning within the movement.
We will be trying to support lunch gatherings for retirees on the edges of our service area who are not comfortable traveling to the Philly area for functions. Perhaps you can help by considering inviting some retirees in your community to a “get to know you” lunch. I guarantee you will enjoy their company.
Look for more news in the coming editions of Clippings as YMCA Alumni members in the USA plan to join others at the World YMCA gathering in Toronto during the summer of 2026. It would be great if our chapter could have a group in attendance. Joyce and I found the event to be highly worthwhile and enjoyable during our role as editors of Bridges, the newsletter of the World Federation of YMCA Retirees (WFYR). We would love to have your company.
I am looking forward to your support and involvement during the rest of this year.
| | Ken and Chris White, John and Alane McCahey, Royal Caribbean's Hamony of the Seas, Len and Joyce Wilson. The Whites and Wilsons photos were taken at the Captain's Table. | | |
CENTRAL ATLANTIC MEMBERS
ENJOY YMCA ALUMNI REUNION-AT-SEA
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Three couples from our chapter set sail out of Galveston, TX in January on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Sea for the YMCA Alumni Reunion-at-Sea. Len and Joyce Wilson, Ken and Chris White, and Alane and John McCahey all boarded the ship to take in the fun and festivities.
Alane said it was a splendid voyage from Galveston to the western Caribbean. “It was our second YMCA Alumni reunion, and it was wonderful to be on board with so many new and old Y friends, sharing all the amenities the ship had to offer,” she said. “One of the trip's highlights was an excursion to an exclusive beach in Roatán, Honduras. After the rain subsided, they had a day of swimming, dining, and tanning with friends from the cruise, making memories that will last a lifetime.”
The reunion schedule was packed with engaging activities, including a General Session featuring updates from Y Retirement CEO Mike Cefole and presentations by Suzanne McCormick, President/CEO of YMCA of the USA, and YMCA Alumni President Phill Morgan. Alane said she attended a “fantastic workshop” led by Len Wilson, where she learned the basics of playing bridge. The trip concluded with a champagne farewell lunch on the last day.
Ken and Chris said they had a great time complete with a handicapped room and a motorized scooter. Ken tooled around the ship with it. He joked that there were only 6,000 of our closest friends on board. Good food, good friends, and lots of fun activities. Chris really enjoyed their time before the cruise and spoke Spanish to many of the people in Houston.
The next reunion will be in the country's Central Region, chaired by VP Dave Rogers in 2028.
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SAVE MAY 8 AND JUNE 5
FOR UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
| | MAY 8 AT WHITE HORSE VILLAGE | | |
What are your next steps on your retirement journey? Are you planning on aging gracefully at home, or will you foist yourself on the kids? Another option to consider is a senior living community. We will visit Hank and Lois Van Zanten May 8 at their retirement home in White Horse Village. Hank and Lois arranged lunch, but no worries — Hank is not cooking.
Marketing department staff at White Horse Village will present a program on the difference between an “RC" and a “CCRC.” A retirement community offers independent living with a variety of amenities and social activities. A CCRC provides a full continuum of care, from independent living to skilled nursing care on the same campus.
White Horse Village is a Senior Living Facility in Newtown Square, PA. We begin Thursday, May 8, with coffee and pastries at 9:30 a.m., welcome and updates on future chapter programs by President Len Wilson, and a presentation by the White Horse Village Marketing department at 10:15 a.m. Topics will include *What is a CCRC or Life Care Community, benefits of living in a Senior Living Community, *Services, Costs, Amenities, fee structures at a Retirement community, and time for questions.
After a break at 11:15 a.m., we will hear from Shaun Elliott, CEO and President of the Greater Philadelphia YMCA, who will provide an overview on important future plans for the Y.
Len is planning an important presentation for Shaun. Click the button below to read all about the presentation.
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We will have a tour of White Horse Village, a vibrant and active community nestled on 109 acres in Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is located adjacent to Ridley Creek State Park. White Horse has 400 residents in apartments, cottages, villas, country, and carriage homes.
The address is 535 Gradyville Road, Newtown Square, PA. If you need assistance with directions, call (610) 558-5000. A closing buffet provided by White Horse Village will conclude our program for the day. To give our hosts a count on the number of persons attending, just email Hank Van Zanten or call him at (484) 800-8075 by May 5.
| | JUNE 5 AT VALLEY FORGE; A GEM IN OUR BACKYARD | | |
Join us on June 5 for our second chapter event and spend a day at the Valley Forge National Historical Park. Admission to the park is free and has a recently renovated Visitors Center with an expanded museum.
In addition to the exhibits, there is a 19 minute Park orientation film, and four more short films that are screened in the exhibit area.
After our time at the Visitor Center, members are invited to participate in the Park Auto Tour; a 10-mile driving loop comprised of 9 major tour stops including George Washington’s headquarters (Note: the Headquarters is not handicapped accessible; there are a few small steps), Redoubt 3 and the Muhlenberg Brigade.
We can caravan or you can pick and choose where you want to spend your time .Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. at Seasons 52, 160 N Gulph Rd, King of Prussia. The restaurant is 8 minutes from the park. We will order off the menu. RSVP by email to Cathy Fromm by June 1.
WE NEED A NEW PROGRAM CHAIR
VP of Programs Nancy Grey has retired, and we are seeking someone to take her place. If you were a program director and are itching to herd cats once again, this volunteer position could be for you. It’s everything a Program Director could want: no salary, an unlimited budget, no transportation costs and a geographic area teeming with possibilities. Email Len Wilson if you are interested.
| | NATURAL DISASTERS UNDERSCORE NEED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO EAF | |
Hank Van Zanten reports that the total amount of Y Alumni giving to the YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) in 2024 was $43,203, with our Central Atlantic Chapter contributing $3,815. But we could have used a lot more money.
With the unexpected and disastrous hurricane Helene affected the Southeast last year and the devastating fires in Southern California in January, our support of YMCA colleagues and retirees affected by these natural disasters has never been more critical.
Oh, and in case you were thinking the natural disasters were calming down, the National Weather Service is predicting a very active hurricane season, not to mention the wildfires that seem to be everywhere. Should you be unfortunate enough to be caught in a disaster, don’t forget to have a Go-bag ready and pray that others have donated to EAF so you can receive a grant. Please consider increasing your 2025 donation. After all, you may be on the receiving end. Click the button below to get your very own Emergency Checklist.
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WENDY FOX AND HER FLOWER
POWER IS BACK AT THE BIG SHOW
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If it’s time for the Philadelphia Flower Show, Wendy Fox must be there. Our very own chapter member and Master Gardner Wendy is all over the place at the Philadelphia Flower Show held in early March.
She is not only an entrant but a judge and mentor to other garden clubs. Wendy took several prizes including a third place for her photo of the advancing (possibly dancing) turtles. (Hey, they kinda look like a Conga line.) Her two Garden Clubs, Elverson (she is the President) and Uwchlan (she is mentoring them), both got 1st place ribbons in first judging and Uwchlan ran away with the big awards when the show was finished. Chapter member Jude Gallaher wove a large Bee Skep for Wendy for the Uwchlan Garden Club’s display.
(Photos: Wendy, the turtles and Jude's Bee Skep.)
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OUR GOLFERS
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
| Our favorite Golfing Guys -- Mark Elsasser, Bob McDowell, Rich Curl, and Tony Fragale -- are playing their own version of Where’s Waldo? The four of them were seen on the links in Harrisburg not too long ago, but you can never tell where they will turn up. Keep your eyes peeled and send photos if you see our elusive colleagues. | | |
MEET OUR MEMBERS:
AL TURSI -- SHOWING HIS 'METAL'
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Al Tursi began his 43-year YMCA career as Physical Director at the Central Bucks Family YMCA in 1974. He spent 17 years there and finished as Associate General Director. Al has a strong background in mechanical work, and during this time, he also worked with the YMCA of the USA in developing programs for Property Management, including both trainings and Facility Assessments.
The YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity hired him as Executive Director of the Hatboro Area YMCA. He then moved to the Corporate Office as Vice President of Facilities Management, directing new construction projects and coordinating Branch Property Managers. The YMCA of the USA then engaged him as a National Consultant for Property Management, continuing trainings, facility Assessments, and Capital Renewal Planning.
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Al found that his hobby in metalwork started with the restoration of a 1957 Chevy. There was a lot of bodywork requiring cutting and welding in new panels. In addition to painting the car, Al had to teach himself how to weld various applications (gas, metal, inert gas, and electrical).
Now that he is retired, he still wants to continue to create in metal, so he has branched into different metal art forms using copper, stainless steel, and steel. Instead of working on old cars, he creates beautiful bracelets, rings, and ornaments. Al recently contributed four reindeer to the chapter auction in December. They were a big hit and bidding was fierce.
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2025-2026 CURRENT ADVENTURES
YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB
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June 17-July 3, 2025 -- LAST CALL
Land of the Midnight Sun ocean cruise on Emerald Princess. Your hosts: Jan and Patrick Murphy (Schreiner Chapter).
Oct. 14-22, 2025:
South America Getaway: Rio to Buenos Aires motor coach with Globus Tours. Your host: Bob Cook (YMCA Alumni Travel Club/Go Travel).
Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2025:
Ancient Adriatic Treasures ocean cruise on brand new Viking Vesta.
June 5-12, 2026:
Alaska: The Last Frontier ocean cruise on Celebrity Edge. Hosts: Jean and Bert Bock (Weatherford Chapter).
Photos: Land of the Midnight Sun (June 2025); South America Getaway (Oct. 2025); Ancient Adriatic Treasures (Oct. 2025); The Last Frontier (June 2026).
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 percentage of all bookings.
Contact YMCA Alumni Travel Club:
(407) 774-2229
ymcaalumni@gotravel.com
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