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The Clippings
Central Atlantic Chapter
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Greetings!
Welcome summer. Welcome friends, families, smiles and hugs. Welcome a return of some normalcy to our lives.
We have experienced an unbelievable 15 months we never expected to encounter, but we made it through. It has changed us in various ways and reminded us of what is important to our being whole (family, friends, health and freedom). So smile, hug, get out and enjoy our wonderful country. Feel blessed that we have survived and are ready to fully live again.
YMCA Alumni has continued to work diligently through all this. The Travel Club committee has planned amazing trips here and abroad, Lou Falk and his committee have worked tirelessly to plan for an amazing National Service Project for the Sioux YMCA.
Larry Garvin’s committee has been able to plan an exciting, busy, and fun Reunion '22 in New Orleans. YMCA World Service is working diligently to assist other nations in their time of need, and our Central Atlantic chapter is back planning some great experiences for us to enjoy and reconnect with each other.
Don’t forget your local Ys. They have suffered greatly. Get back to exercising, seeing your friends, volunteering, and supporting their annual fund drives.
Enjoy the warm weather, the blossoming of our nature, and stay healthy. When we get together there will be some interesting, fun, and sad experiences to share with each other - like how great it is to not wear sweats every day, the TV programs we watched and books we read, the many pounds we have to lose, and the friends/family we have lost from the virus... just to name a few.
Much love and hope for a better future ahead by working, praying, and seeing each other.
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Barbara Taylor, President
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ISC Helps Re-open Sioux YMCA Camp |
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By Debbi Zvanut, Central Atlantic Chapter ISC Representative
International Service Corps (ISC) has been a program of YMCA Alumni for many years. ISC supports numerous projects abroad with retiree appointments that advise boards, teach classes and help expand programs and strengthen relationships with other YMCAs abroad. With the pandemic stopping international travel, the ISC committee looked domestically for a project and settled upon helping to rebuild the Sioux YMCA Camp Marrowbone, located within the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
As our chapter’s representative to ISC, this project had great appeal to me. Suddenly the project, the dates and travel and encouraging my husband to join us began falling into place. Then we were off to build, repair facilities to prepare the camp for its summer season now underway. Some 20 volunteers from all over the country arrived June 8 to work together for 4 days.
Gary Graham and I represented the Central Atlantic Chapter with Gary's wife, Bonnie, and my husband, Carl. Several of the volunteers were part of the National Service Project (see Gary's article below this story) and all of us were joined by ex-camp staff, past directors, and camp friends who know how much there is to be done - especially after the camp had been closed since 2019 due to COVID.
The Sioux YMCA Staff and Board had provided a wish list for us to build and repair and we certainly did our share and more. The projects needed a construction and a painting crew and included building a camp director’s cabin, 4 compostable latrines, a tent platform and painting 5 camper cabins.
By the time the fourth day drew to a close, the cabin was two-thirds complete, the outhouses and tent platform were finished and 5 cabins were painted.
Some 500 boys and girls will enjoy camp this summer, about 70 each week. Due to the extreme poverty on the reservation, campers pay what they are able. Sleeping bags are provided to the campers, and three meals a day help them ignore the food insecurity they typically experience.
This Y camp, celebrating its 50th year, is located in a beautiful (but stark) high plateau overlooking Lake Oahe where the campers can experience typical Y camp activities including swimming and boating.
I left South Dakota feeling energized by the progress the YMCA staff is making. I also know that with the help of all of us, the YMCA and Camp Marrowbone can continue to thrive.
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Thoughts on National Service Project and visit to Sioux YMCA site... |
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By Gary and Bonnie Graham
“We are the healthiest when we are most situated in awe” observes Gregory Boyle, the Jesuit Priest who is the founder and leader of Home Boy Industries. We felt that emotion during our entire time in South Dakota -the absolute vastness of the landscape, the monumental challenge facing the Sioux Nation and the Sioux YMCA to improve the situation on the reservation, and the opportunity for our membership to be involved in mutual understanding and kinship.
The YMCA volunteers from all over the country arrived to assist improving YMCA Camp Marrowbone with 4 composting latrines, the painting of all 7 camper cabins, and the construction of the Camp Director’s summer quarters.
While we were doing the immediate project, those of us on the National Service Project Committee were focusing on the gathering of the intelligence necessary to successfully launch the Tiny Home and Twigs (small YMCA outreach offices spread throughout a reservation that is approximately the size of Connecticut) National Service project beginning in 2022.
Suffice to say, we are more inspired to make a difference. When we met with community members and staff it quickly became apparent the depth of the need with unemployment at a minimum of 55 percent, the prevalence of food insecurity and pervasive substandard housing throughout the reservation. All of these issues the Sioux Y is centrally involved in addressing.
The YMCA Alumni National Service project will make a significant dent in the housing situation and with the Twigs, an outreach impact on the small clusters of tribal members spread throughout the reservation. The invitation is being issued to every YMCA retiree whether currently a member of Y Alumni or a retiree for whom this multi-year effort just will be the opportunity needed to become involved with Connect-Travel-Serve. Stay tuned. More to come.
--Gary Graham of our chapter is a member of the YMCA National Service Project Committee. Gary and Bonnie took part in the ISC Camp project and were on the team that visited the National Service Project in Dupree.
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Connect...
For shore! Join chapter friends Aug. 11
at the Wilson's home in Strathmere
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Chapter Summer
Picnic at the shore.
Aug.11, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Rain date: Aug. 12
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By Len and Joyce Wilson
There is something special about sunrises and sunsets on a barrier island, and Strathmere is no exception. Walks to the bay and ocean beach always provide moments to relax and enjoy being at the shore. Our home is less than a block from both waterfronts.
Lunch is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m, or later, and there will be opportunities for a stroll and a visit to the beach. We are well equipped with beach chairs, so arrive early and stay as late as you wish.
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It might be interesting if you also bring a photograph of Y friends and experiences that date back in time. We are almost certain we will be able to recognize all the "younger folk" in the photo.
Cathy Fromm is coordinating some food items for the luncheon. Seafood specialties, shrimp and seafood chowder, along with a hearty meat course will be provided, but we hope to give everyone a chance to sample your delicious salad or desert creations. Bring along your favorite beverage to park in the cooler. Watch for more details.
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It's the Poconos Oct. 14 at Jim Thorpe |
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Are you ready for a fall adventure? Jim Thorpe is the place to be! It’s a popular locale to visit in the Pocono Mountains. The town is home to historic attractions, as well as many unique restaurants.
Save the Date: Thursday, October 14, 2021.
Visit the Asa Packer Mansion, the home of Asa Packer, a railroad construction pioneer and politician. The mansion has 18 bedrooms and dates back to 1861. Tour price is $6 per/person.
Ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, a 70-minute narrated tour on a diesel engine train that travels through the Lehigh Gorge State Park. All trains are wheelchair accessible. Standard Coach is $17; Open Car $20 per/person.
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Go to the Old Jail Museum, a two- story structure built in 1871 housing 27 jail cells. The jail is best known for the Molly McGuire trial. Senior Tickets $8 per/person.
The Mauch Chuck Museum tells the story of the Mauch coal mining town. Senior price is $7.50 per/person; the Mauch Chuck Opera House ticket prices will depend on the show.
Interested in joining us on our fall adventure? Please email Program VP Nancy Gray.
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A culinary delight from Chef Kenno
'Sockless onion soup' -- it'll knock your socks off...
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Are you a lover of French onion soup? Well I’ve got the recipe for you. I usually cook it for a total of 20 hours. I do not use the brandy, but I do squirt in some Worcestershire sauce and A-1 Steak Sauce. It deepens the flavor. While I love the Gruyere cheese, I hate cleaning it off the bowls. Enjoy and let me know your experience. (Photo from Food Channel since Chef Kenno leaves out the best parts.)
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Travel...
Join us in The Big Easy Jan. 12-15, 2022
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After the Reunion...
Join your YMCA Alumni friends aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines Breakaway for a special "no meetings, no agenda" Caribbean Cruise.
Jan. 16-23, 2022
We sail from the Port of New Orleans, just half a mile from the Embassy Suites, our reunion hotel.
We cruise from The Big Easy to Costa Maya, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico and back to New Orleans.
The Breakaway is ready to whisk you away to your best vacation at sea yet. There’s something on board for everyone.
Breathe in the warm, fresh ocean air and connect with the sea like never before along The Waterfront, a quarter-mile oceanfront promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and spectacular views.
And, did we mention, warm up from our Central Atlantic winter?
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Have you registered yet for YMCA Alumni Reunion '22? Are you ready, as they say in The Big Easy, to let the good times roll again? Join us Jan. 12-15, 2022.
The early bird registration special ends Sept. 30. Register now and be eligible to win one of 10 $100 Visa cards to use during one of the Reunion's "Dinner With Friends" evenings.
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A tour of one of the world's most unique and famous cities and a visit to Mardi Gras World just a few weeks before the celebration is included. We're staying at the convenient Embassy Suites hotel, near the French Quarter, World War II Museum and so many attractions. And, we've built in lots of time to visit them.
It's time to break out of the cocoon and New Orleans is open and waiting for you. Click the button below for all details and to register.
Watch this short preview video -- "Marching To New Orleans" -- featuring Clark Baker of the Weathersford Chapter on the keyboard. Just click on the video arrow to watch.
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New: Short getaways. Registration open now
Your YMCA Alumni Travel Committee has responded to your requests and has added three domestic getaways for 2022. Space won't be available for long, so register now.
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Golf Getaway at
World Golf Village,
St. Augustine, Florida
April 19-23, 2022
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Baseball In The Spring -- Cactus League in AZ
March 6-13, 2022
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Spring Getaway
Blue Ridge Assembly
Black Mt., N.C.
May 9-12, 2022
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Central Atlantic Chapter Leaders
Click on name in blue to send email.
The mission of YMCA Alumni is "to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."
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Visit us on Facebook
YMCA Alumni news is updated several times a week on our Facebook page. Visit often. Just click on the logo.
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