MICHIANA NEWS

Hoosier-Buell Chapter

Michigan/Indiana

Twenty YMCA Alumni members from our chapter and several from the Chambers Chapter (Ohio) attended the gathering at the beautiful Pokagon State Park Oct. 25-26. Each member shared a brief history of their YMCA career and enjoyed reflecting on their retirement.

Sara Van Hoosier, Park Naturalist, gave an overview of Pokagon and had a supporting cast of reptiles including several turtles, a salamander and a snake to help us understand our environment with nature. 

Danny Maier (lower left photo) spoke about the National Service Project and presented a video of the progress made with the Tiny Homes in Dupree,S.D. He said that National Alumni so far has raised about $780,000 in cash/pledges and spent about $212,000 to date. Our chapter contributed $3,000 in 2022 along with 28 individual pledges totaling over $25,000.

Reid Thebault (lower right photo) gave a reassuring insightful report on our YMCA Retirement Fund and answered questions about his role as our liaison.

We held our Annual Meeting after dinner at Clay’s. Terry Jones gave the Financial Report showing the chapter had $3,135 income for 2023 and $3,953.88 of expenses. A $100 memorial contribution to the Michiana YMCA was made in memory of Don Rowe, the past president of our chapter. The current checking account balance is $7735.62.

Terry also presented our membership report showing we have 69 households representing 110 members in our chapter. He reminded members that our chapter dues are FREE to alumni and encouraged us to support it by a contribution.

Those contributions translated to $1,540 for 2023. Members are still responsible for their National Alumni dues of $25. Terry prepared the membership renewal forms to be mailed out and asked members to reply back to his address for the renewals. Please make your check for National and any additional contributions payable to the Hoosier-Buell Chapter. Fill out the membership form today and return it to Terry at 2309 Meadow Way, Anderson, IN 46012.

Kirby Falkenberg gave a very complete report on the activity and needs for the International Service Corps. Volunteer work assignments are open in seven different countries with two positions filled in the Bahamas and in Albania with retired Y directors. Members were challenged to consider the ISC experience and can visit the YMCA Alumni website for more information.

The chapter approved $500 support of ISC and $500 to World Service in 2022. A motion was made by Dale Packer to do the same support of both causes for 2023. Don Stetson seconded the motion and it passed.

John Mack announced that the Chambers Chapter is planning gatherings for the spring 2024 in the Southeast Ohio Area and for the fall in Southwest Ohio Area/Cincinnati-Dayton. Look for more details next year from our inviting alumni neighbors.

Dale Packer gave his report on the National Alumni theme to Connect-Travel-Serve. As Past President, Dale has been most influential on the numerous activities of our vibrant membership movement. Chapter members applauded Dale for his dedicated service to YMCA Alumni leadership.

Dan Sager shared the YMCA Alumni State Ambassadors Program Overview. This program is a simple focus of gathering Y retirees in a more localized meeting for a lunch and sharing fellowship. We need a couple volunteer coordinators for Michigan and Indiana to plan the gatherings in different areas of the state for 2024. Please contact Dan at [email protected] for more information.

A hotly contested fun card game called Five Crowns was played by eight members after the meeting.

Thursday morning after a group breakfast at the Inn, eight members visited the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. We saw many vintage classic cars that evolved in the early 1900 growth of the automobile industry. (photo above)

Following the museum tour we conducted our FIRST Ambassador luncheon at Dicky’s 21 Taps in Fort Wayne. We had a wonderful stroll down memory lane with the Packers, Gillioms, Schlegals, Falkenbergs, Macks and Sagers. Our 50 plus years of relationships were blessed by Jeffrey and John, the sons of Lyn and Penny Schlegal. Roy Gilliom was the “Kingpin” of this original gathering

(photo below).

Dave worked for the YMCA 32 years serving in St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago and Fort Wayne. In the early 1980’s Dave was the Fort Wayne Central Branch Director. In 1984 he became Director of the newly formed YMCA Coalition for Youth Services. Kirby Faulkenberg reflected on the amazing work that Dave projected in Fort Wayne though the Y’s Coalition for Youth Services. CYS was an umbrella organization under the aegis of the YMCA. Its component action groups comprised members who were operational persons from key agencies concerned with the different youth problems. Thanks to Kirby for remembering Dave.

John C. Alexander retired Sept. 30, 2023 as President and CEO of the Owensboro,KY Family YMCA. A native of Potomac, Illinois, John graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and joined his family’s insurance agency. 

After a 28-year career in the insurance field, John was selected as the CEO of the Danville, Illinois Family YMCA in 2001. His volunteer Y career started long before that in coaching youth sports, working in the annual campaign, and eventually serving 5 years on the Board of Directors before joining the staff.   

In 2013, John was selected as Y-USA Resource Director in 2013, for central and southern Illinois and served 6 years in that position until June 30, 2019, a which time he began his term in Owensboro. 

John’s wife, Margie, has also served in the Danville and Owensboro Ys. Together, they have 5 children ad 11 grandchildren. Terre Haute is their new home, and they look forward to traveling and perhaps a bit more golf in their futures.

There is currently space available on five YMCA Alumni adventures for 2024 and 2025. But, if you waited to make up your mind, three in 2023 and one in 2024 sold out. (Lesson: Don’t delay.)

Space available:

Jan. 27-Feb. 4, 2024: Winter Warm-up in Caribbean

April 21-May 3, 2024: Atlantic Crossing to Italy

Sept. 27 - Oct. 4, 2024: America's Music Cities

Jan. 26-Feb. 2, 2025 YMCA Alumni Reunion at Sea Cruise

June 17-July 3, 2025 Land of the Midnight Sun & Summer Solstice Cruise

Sold Out: Look what you missed...

Sept. 20-28, 2023: Mackinac Island & Grand Hotel

Oct. 15-25, 2023: Gems of the Danube & Prague

Aug. 2-8, 2024: Scottish Dream w/Tattoo

Did you know you can support the YMCA through your license plate renewals here in Indiana.? (Check in with vehicle departments in Michigan and Ohio). Did anyone happen to notice the Sager’s Y plate at the fall gathering? It’s a creative way to support the YMCA.