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The Nor'Easter
New England Chapter
January 2022
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Greetings!
As we enter 2022, I would like to take a moment to thank members of your chapter board who volunteered their time last year to support our YMCA Alumni chapter and also provided leadership to National initiatives.
Lou Falk and Harry Rock have provided leadership to the National Service Project and has resulted in a nation-wide commitment to the Sioux YMCA. Alan Hurst has kept track of our finances and Doug Lisk continues to collect information and publish our chapter newsletter as well as handle most communications.
Our Program Chair, Nancy Bonell, continues to push the proverbial rock up the hill planning programs and gatherings for our chapter in the midst of the ever-changing COVID pandemic. We are all so grateful.
To our members at large - Gary Schuyler, Martha Machnik, Duffy Brent, Laurie Garbacz and Shayna Ellovich- thanks for taking on special projects whether it be planning a golf outing, helping prepare our holiday luncheon, connecting with chapter members and assisting in the recruitment and retention of members.
On behalf of our chapter, thank you so much for your work and support.
I am also looking forward to the opportunity to connect in person, or by Zoom with you in 2022. Nancy has planned many opportunities for us to gather as you will read about in this newsletter. Please give every consideration to finding an opportunity that feels good for you.
Peace and grace to you and your family in 2022.
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Karen Leslie
New England YMCA Alumni President
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A few chapter news tidbits... |
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You may be aware the National YMCA Alumni Reunion scheduled for this month in New Orleans has been postponed until November 2-4, 2022. So be sure and register. Get your hotel room now. The weather is great in the Big Easy that time of year, too. Reunion info
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You probably have received an appeal letter from our chapter’s Alumni Service Projects Fundraising Team. We are asking for your support of our Dominican Republic homebuilding project and/or NEW this year, the National Service Project to support the building of short-term Tiny Houses and year-round youth programming facilities for the Sioux YMCA. Please consider pledging your financial support to one, or both of these programs. |
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As you consider how you may like to spend some volunteer time in 2022 please consider working closely with chapter leadership to strengthen our chapter by supporting our work. Many opportunities exist: serve on the Board, host a luncheon, connect with new and existing members and more. Interested? Please email Karen Leslie or call (401) 641-4414.
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From the treasurer... trapped at home |
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Last year we had a fairly good year financially, mostly because we were trapped in our houses.
As an organization we lost just under $200 (revenue minus expenses for those playing at home), but the reason it was a negative number is we provided $2,000 in seed money for the new National Service Project.
We did not spend money on meetings and get togethers, but we did spend money on newsletters and expressions of sorrow (flowers) as appropriate. We hope this year to return to local lunch meetings, great events planned by Nancy and other activities.
--Alan Hurst, treasurer
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National Service Project
fundraising underway
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The National Service Project in partnership with the Sioux YMCA under the leadership of New England Chapter’s own Lou Falk, is well underway. Plans are to break ground for the first tiny home May 15. (rendering left).
The opportunity to build tiny homes and “Twigs” (small program branches scattered across the 5400-square-mile reservation) is a project that has been endorsed by the YMCA Alumni Board of Directors to give our members a chance to get involved with supporting the Sioux YMCA and their community. This project will have a long reaching impact with the transitional housing that will be created to assist the Sioux YMCA with its work.
As is the case with any project, funding is crucial to support the budgeted expenses. The entire project is projected to cost $600,000. The YMCA Alumni Board of Directors has approved the project moving forward only if $100,000 in cash is raised by March 31.
Our hope is that each of our members will consider a generous personal contribution. Any amount is welcome based on the comfort level of the donor. However, we are urging our chapter members to consider a $3,000 gift spread over three years. This is our opportunity as a chapter to jointly provide the funding that will help enable this project to occur.
For more information on the project and instructions on how to make payments, please access our virtual case statement by clicking the button below at http://www.tinyurl.com/wawokiye. Have any questions related to the project? Just click the other button below. [email protected].
--Harry Rock, chapter representative to National Service Project Standing Committee
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Let's go skiing at Sunapee Feb. 9
Please join us for our New England YMCA Alumni Annual Ski/Snowboard Day at Mount Sunapee, 1398 NH RTE 103, Newbury, NH 03255 Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.
We will follow all COVID-19 protocols. You must wear a mask inside and have proof of vaccination to get hot cocoa or food in the lodge. It’s best to use your vehicle as your "base lodge" (put your boots on in your car, store all your gear in your car, etc.).
We will meet outside the Sunapee Lodge at 8:45 a.m. next to the picnic tables to the left side of the main entrance. Please RSVP to Nancy Bonell or call her at (508) 965-9507.
The sooner you buy your ticket the lower the price. Click on the button to purchase your ticket online. Here is the link to buy your ticket on-line:
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Also on the chapter
program agenda...
St. Patrick’s Zoom Party
Weds., March 16 at 4 p.m.
Small Group Lunches: TBD. Please let Nancy know if you are willing to host a luncheon in your area with other members. Please contact her with a date/time/location in mind. Thank you!
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Tuesday June 7-Thursday June 9. Mid-Week Spring Getaway Retreat at The Inn at East Hill Farm. We are going to try this again! The Inn sits at the base of beautiful and picturesque Mount Monadnock. Click to their website for pictures and more information.
Activities are all included in our fee: hiking, crafts, outdoor games like corn hole and shuffleboard, guided night walk, milk the cows and goats, swimming, tennis, cocktail party, and more. We will also plan to Zoom with alumni friends that may not be able to join us in NH.
Two nights and six meals, taxes, tips and gratuities all included starting at $400 depending on which accommodations you choose. The deposit is $50. Please call the Inn directly to reserve your room at (603)242-6495. Don't delay.
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Stay Tuned…Coming in Fall 2022 - Gathering at Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center, Lake George, NY. We look forward to this event and coordinating with our neighbor McBurney/Morse Chapter.
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Phil Dwyer:
'Welcoming the Stranger'
I joined our church Welcoming the Stranger Committee with the expressed purpose of helping resettle Afghan refugees.
In November, we welcomed an extended family of 11, including father, mother, five adult daughters (ages 18-28), a son in-law (34), and three children (ages 8, 5 and 18 mos).
The father had a senior position with a women's rights organization, and helped coordinate government activities in Jalalabad and the east. He has the scars to show for it (literally). The young adults are sophisticated, educated and, yes, bi-lingual. While not directly assisting the U.S. Military or State Dept, their efforts contributed indirectly to standing up and strengthening a fledgling democracy. Earning them the wrath of the Taliban.
They spent 90 days at Fort Dix, NJ before coming to Connecticut. Their stories are heartwarming, and at the same time, heart breaking. They remain fearful for what the Taliban will do to their family members left behind.
My job was to help set up two apartments and help enroll the two school age boys in school, and to arrange for any needed remedial help. They arrived with little documentation, having left their home country in a rush. They had no medical or vaccination records, all of which were needed to enroll in school. Taking them to doctor’s appointments, helping them navigate a school bureaucracy and providing general orientation to American life have been my tasks. Their children are doing well.
Their next most important task is finding jobs so they may live a normal life. There is more to the story, but space considerations dictate I end the story here.
Phil Dwyer is President of the World Fellowship of YMCA Retirees (WFYR).
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Peter Post checks in from Maine
We are in lockdown again at Overlook. I don't understand why people refuse to get their shots. I look forward to making chapter events. Our chapter tends to be dominated by Connecticut members, so perhaps I can help. Let's schedule a trip to Maine. Jane is in a full-time nursing Alzheimer's unit but we had a wonderful time at Christmas with all the family in Southington with all five grandkids, Jane did very well.
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Hiking with Duane German
I've been very fortunate to be an active retiree for the past 6 years and 2021 was a fun year for me despite the Pandemic. It was exciting to welcome my 4th grandchild into the world as Zachery was born on September 1. I continue to travel, enjoying the hikes and scenic views.
In addition to visiting my favorite New England locations throughout the year, in February we found our way out to Hawaii for a couple of weeks. In April, we ventured to National Parks Arches and Canyonland as well as Dead Horse State Park. In July we journeyed out to the West Coast for a 15-day road trip starting in Oregon at Mt. Hood, then driving up the Pacific Coast Highway into Washington and Mt. Olympic National Park.
Costa Rica was my next adventure in October for 9 days of active adventure hiking, whitewater rafting, kayaking and hiking through the Rain Forests. I continue to be an active runner with the Ronald McDonald House Running Club and even found time to play in two Senior Softball Leagues in the summer.
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Harry rocks on 'til New Year's
I reached 4,302 miles on my bike for 2021, riding right up to New Year’s Eve day. Because of limited daylight, many of my December rides ended in the dark, in the 30’s, and at times in the rain. I do have lights on my bike.
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Members of the New England Chapter of YMCA Alumni met at the Westerly-Pawcatuck Branch of the Ocean Community YMCA on Friday, Dec. 3. A fabulous homemade lunch was provided by YMCA Alumni members Nancy Bonell and Laurie Garbacz. A presentation on the YMCA Alumni National Service Project was provided by Harry Rock, New England Representative for the project to the national committee chaired by chapter member Lou Falk. An old-fashioned Yankee Swap was held at the end of the meeting with John Coduri making the winning bid on a donated basket by Skip Raymond. The proceeds will be donated to the National Service Project. |
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We remember...
Judy Moss
Steven Rogers
Phyllis Barclay
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Phyllis Barclay:
Harry Rock remembers
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phyllis Barclay back on Sept.28, 2021 at the age of 95. Many of you will recall her being married to John Barclay who passed away on Dec. 23, 2018.
Phyllis was not a YMCA employee but her devoted lifelong support of John while he served YMCAs for 40 years in Hamilton, Ohio; Bridgeport, CT; New Haven, CT and Westfield, MA reflected her servant leadership personality of always helping others and doing what she could to serve the Y and her community in partnership with her husband of 67 years.
Phyllis had a delightful personality and a quick laugh that was always accompanied with a warm hug when you would see her, letting you know how genuinely happy she was to see you!
Phyllis had four children, the oldest of whom is John who also entered the YMCA profession and who I first met when we were YMCA Camp Hazen LEA’s (CITs) together at the age of 16.
I personally knew Phyllis very well from my 16 years as the executive director of the Westfield YMCA following the retirement of John from that position. I would always see the two of them in the community serving numerous boards and committees as volunteers through the years.
Phyllis lived a full and meaningful life making the most out of her opportunity to help others and enrich their lives as a result of her involvement! We will miss her!
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An update on our Dominican project... |
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Volunteers Needed:
Dates: May 28-June 4, 2022
Over two weekends including Memorial Day Weekend. Arrive on Saturday May 28 and depart June 4 or come early and/or stay longer.
Your costs: Your airfare to/from Santo Domingo (SDQ) from airport of your choice, some of your evening meals, your hotel room-anticipated to be about $50/night for a single; $30.00 per person for a double, less per person for triple or quad; your "incidentals" like souvenirs, lunch on Beach Day, etc. A $50 pp “deposit” will be collected to pay all tips for hotel, most meals and bus drivers.
At no additional cost to you: All breakfasts, most lunches, some dinners, all airport transfers, A/C bus transportation daily to and from work site, Santo Domingo Historical Tour for "newbies", transportation to the beach on Beach Day, all the bottled water you can drink, all construction material, fun, and good fellowship.
In general: The plan is to continue to demolish and rebuild decrepit homes in the humble village of Don Gregorio, located about 45 minutes outside the capital city of Santo Domingo. Twenty-four homes will soon have been completed over the past ten years, seventeen, plus a community bathhouse, by our group alone, and we will rebuild one to four more, depending upon the number of volunteers and the amount of money that is raised.
In addition to the construction, we will spend one day at a beach (weather permitting), and those in Santo Domingo for the first time will be able to take a tour of this historical city as well as visiting the YMCA (ACJ) program sites.
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Click on name to send email.
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YMCA Alumni Mission:
"...to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."
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