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KAREN LESLIE
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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I was recently invited to meet with new leadership at a local YMCA and asked to reflect upon what I considered the Y’s important work. It was easy. It was all about building and cultivating relationships and furthering connections.
It is also the work of YMCA Alumni. It remains a wonderful way to foster connections formed during our years of active Y service and to build new relationships. There are many ways— through service projects, chapter events, travel club adventures, informal luncheons, or Zoom calls.
It is clear to me that some members cannot join us at in-person gatherings. Could you pick up the phone and contact a colleague you have not seen recently? A call goes a long way!
Be sure and read our special report in this issue of our Tri-Chapter experience at Silver Bay in September.
I look forward to our Holiday Luncheon on Friday, December 6, at Springfield College and hope to see you there. Watch your email for more information. Please let me know if you would like to attend and need a ride, and I will hook you up.
Until then, be well.
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Look for your membership packet in your snail mailbox. It contains "renew-by-mail" details and a return envelope. | |
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SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR
ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCH
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Be sure and save the date for our annual Holiday Lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at Springfield College. Details coming soon. | |
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Janice Corr -- Wells, ME
Robert Ferrer -- Wells, ME
Debra Gorman -- Pawtucket, RI
Rob and Joanne Reeves -- Hampstead, NH
Mario and Patricia Sakellis -- Dennisport, MA
David and Maura Stevenson -- Silver Spring, MD
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CONSIDER JOINING US IN
DON GREGORIO NEXT MAY
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Nestled on a Caribbean island west of Turks and Caicos, East of Aruba, West of St. Martin and St. Kitts, and South of Jamaica lies the tiny village of Don Gregorio, which I have visited for the last three years with several of our colleagues.
As a group, we have had the privilege of immersing ourselves into a community and culture to learn about their simple and unique lifestyle. Their simple lifestyle demonstrates a culture that knows how to appreciate what they have. They are some of the happiest people I've ever been associated with and are glad to step out and assist you.
Many of these people have multi-family members living in crudely built shacks. They feel "blessed" when we build them a safe block house with a concrete floor.
I am talking about the amazing homebuilding project in the Dominican Republic that our chapter has been doing for more than a decade, led by Lou Falk.
Please give strong consideration for joining us in May 2025. I promise it is a week that you will remember and be proud to be part of.
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A REPORT FROM ISC:
MEXICO VISIT AND BEYOND
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BY BOB MARTIN, ISC CHAIR
Seven YMCA Alumni, including YMCA Alumni President Phillip Morgan, visited the Casa YMCA in Tijuana, Mexico in late October. The Y provides a safe space for children who were deported from the USA to the streets of Tijuana without any protection.
Dr. Oscar Velasco, President of the YMCA of Mexico, joined the group along with Todd Tibbetts, San Diego YMCA CEO. SC sent over $20,000 of supplies and gifts, including $14,000 of name-brand athletic shoes, to the children and teens housed here.
Siberia
Currently, ISC is connecting with teens and adults in Siberia, Russia, via Zoom. A third call is planned for Nov. 9. The teens discuss life in their part of the world.
Uruguay
Recently, we met with Carlos Calisto, the Executive Director of the YMCA of Uruguay, to begin setting up a partnership where we can send YMCA Alumni to help their YMCA.
If you would like an overseas adventure in locations like Uruguay, Siberia, Mexico, the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, and more, click the button below. Fill out the application and be ready to serve on an amazing foreign adventure.
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Harry and Anne Rock enjoyed a 16-day trip to tour the Baltic countries including Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Germany and Denmark. That's Harry at the famed Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
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REFLECTIONS
SILVER BAY 2024
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It was another great YMCA Alumni group gathering at Silver Bay. The camaraderie — seeing old friends and meeting new ones —was the best part of the event. From boat rides on Lake George to playing golf, dining at Ticonderoga Golf Course, and visiting the fort, the agenda kept us moving but also allowed time to sit, talk, and take in the glorious views of Lake George.
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Meeting on the Inn's front porch, our 15 adventurous souls departed on a short trek into the wilderness we share with woodland creatures in search of a remarkable glacier stream that included views of the close Vermont Mountains. For sure, we walked along in active conversation, announcing our presence to any wildlife, such as delayed rattlesnakes sojourning back to their historic winter dens.
We were rewarded on the summit of Inspiration Point with benches for travelers to absorb the view, rapidly snapping pictures of fellow hikers, snacks being passed, and conversations that never seemed to end.
You, too, need to join us for our next hike into the woods that restores the soul from past challenges while preparing us for our continued journey.
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We had a perfect day visiting the restored Fort Ticonderoga. This northern promontory along the major 17th century highway from New York City to Quebec was a strategic position for the British in their pursuit of dominance in North America.
With stunning views, we quickly recognized the importance of the fort. Our admission fee included a second day’s visit with two short lectures highlighting the importance of this fort, period staff enactors discussing their work, and a token for a car stop to Mount Independence on our return to Silver Bay. Your day at the fort would not be complete without a visit to the fort’s gardens that include herbs, period food and flowers.
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THE JERUSALEM Y WITH LEN WILSON | |
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Len Wilson provided background on his career opportunity to provide leadership for the Jerusalem International YMCA (JIY). The offer came at a time when the revered General Director, Rizek Abusharr, was retiring, and the existing Field and MRC consulting division of Y-USA was being phased out.
Len and Joyce spent nearly five years in Jerusalem, a tumultuous time right after 9/11. Their descriptions of events and life in Jerusalem led to discussions.
The current times are even more tumultuous, and lively input ensued examining how the U.S. should react to the political posturing by both sides of the Gaza and Lebanese conflicts.
Materials and messages directly from JIY’s current and inspiring leader, Fadi Suidan, subsequent materials directly from JIY’s Annual Report, and a request for funding considerations of JIY’s Christmas Party for orphans are available for those seeking current information.
It is planned that more retirees will be allowed to share meaningful information and learnings gleaned from their careers or interests as part of our annual Silver Bay Tri-Chapter experience.
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REMEMBERING THOSE WHO LEFT US | |
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On our final evening at Silver Bay, we gathered at the historic boathouse overlooking the lake for a Memorial Service, remembering YMCA retirees from the three chapters who passed away over the past year. (Photo right: Retired Silver Bay Chaplain and McBurney-Morse Chapter member Bruce Tamlyn leads the service.)
The service began with a prayer and reading of John 14:1-14 and the 23rd Psalm. The centerpiece of the service was reviewing the names of those who had left us. More than 200 names were on the list.
Several members offered a memory, a touching story, or a contribution made by those who had passed. This sharing lasted 45 minutes. Our three chapter presidents, Karen Leslie (New England), Len Wilson (Central Atlantic), and Janice Higgins (McBurney-Morse), thoughtfully reflected on this part of the service. We closed by singing Amazing Grace.
The opportunity to remember and honor those who had contributed much of their lives to the YMCA movement became a sacred moment and a blessing for us all.
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2025-2026 ADVENTURES
YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB
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Jan. 26-Feb. 2, 2025:
YMCA Alumni Reunion-at Sea-Cruise on
Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas
June 17-July 3, 2025:
Land of the Midnight Sun Cruise on Emerald Princess
Sept. 14-24, 2025:
Majestic Canadian Rockies Globus motor coach tour. This tour has sold out; however, you can join the waiting list as it is a year out and cancellations are likely.
Oct. 8-18, 2025:
Istanbul to the Adriatic cruise on Explora
Feb. 21-March 9, 2026:
Charms of the Mekong River Cruise on
AMA Waterways with land extensions
Mid-May 2026:
Scenic Switzerland by Rail with Cosmos Tours
Late May 2026:
Alaska: The Last Frontier cruise on Celebrity Edge
Photos: Istanbul to the Adriatic on Explora; Switzerland by Rail
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