August 2025* View as Webpage

PAM POWER

PRESIDENT'S PONDERINGS

Wow, summer is almost over. Time seems to fly by, especially during the summer. I hope everyone has had a productive, relaxing, and healthy summer.

Many of the Sam Schreiner members have had exciting travels, whether through a YMCA Travel Club experience, a cruise, a trip planned independently, or visits with family and friends. I hope you made the most of your summer vacation.

Consider journaling or writing down your most memorable experiences to share with others. It's easy to forget to document our memories, but it's so important to share them with future generations. I always enjoy looking back at the journals my mom kept of her trips, whether short or long, to relive those memories.

I recently spoke to someone about her retirement, and she mentioned, "Well, one day is just like another." I hope you can make the most of each day, whether it's at home with chores, hobbies, traveling, or enjoying a coffee with a neighbor. Remember to make each day a blessing for yourself and those around you.

I have spoken to many of you personally about attending our fall gathering event in Cloudcroft, N.M. Some of us have decided to shorten the trip by flying to El Paso and renting a van together for the hour-and-a-half drive to Cloudcroft. Terry Seth and Patrick Murphy, two former Sam Schreiner chapter presidents, have been busy planning a fun-filled and memorable experience for us in Cloudcroft.

Whether you fly or drive, please plan to join us to enjoy the cooler temperatures and hopefully the first signs of Fall 2025. We have also extended an invitation to members of the Grand Canyon YMCA Alumni Chapter who might live within driving distance. I hope to see many of you there. Details about hotel arrangements follow in an article below.

Our general chapter business meeting at the Cloudcroft gathering will include the election of officers and approval of the revised by-laws. The nominations committee of our chapter will present the following slate of officers for your consideration and election at the meeting:

President: Jim Heiman

Vice President: Pam Power

Secretary: Kathleen Vincent

Treasurer: Thom Parker

Nominations from the floor will also be accepted. 

(Photo: Pam displays the traditional purple nose for crossing into the Arctic Circle. See story later about YMCA Alumni Travel Club Cruise.)

Blessings to all.

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCT. 2

CLOUDCROFT IN THE FALL

Make your plans to join us in beautiful Cloudcroft, NM as summer turns to fall in the Sacramento Mountains.

Hotel arrangements have been made at: Grand Cloudcroft Hotel, 1207 James Canyon Highway, Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Phone (575) 601-2202. Email. Web.                                         

Ten rooms have been reserved at $148.50 per night, plus applicable taxes.When you call for your reservation, please ask for YMCA Alumni Code: YMCA25

Activities will include a meal at the famous Lodge at Cloudcroft, built in 1899 (you might even meet Rebecca, the old hotel's resident ghost), perhaps a visit to a local winery or brewery. You may choose to visit White Sands National Park with its White Sands Missile Range and white sand dunes, shopping, hiking in the Lincoln National Forest, or visit the Pioneer Village or the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Terry and Patrick will have some surprises in store for us. 

The fees for the activities have not been established but we do need to know who plans on coming. Please drop an email to Pam Power or Jim Heiman if you are planning to attend and how many. Fees will include at least two dinner meals, and conference expenses (i.e. meeting room expenses).  

Reserve your rooms now for this discounted price. This is a new hotel which opened in Sept. 2023. Hot breakfast is included at the hotel. The hotel also offers a nice patio with a fire pit for evening conversation and fellowship.

Don’t forget to bring an item for the after business meeting fundraising auction and your checkbook to bid on items. 

IN MEMORIAM

TOM HANSIS, JOHN SNOWDEN

We offer our sincerest sympathies to the families and loved ones of of two Sam Schreiner Chapter members.



Tom Hansis, who passed on May 27, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his partner, Florence Thillet-Bice.

John Snowden, who passed on April 4, 2025 in Georgetown, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Pam.

Photos: Tom and Florence on the recent YMCA Alumni reunion cruise; John Snowden.

Ivy Babineaux, Houston,TX

Jami Sue Huygens, Galveston, TX

Mary Deas, Houston, TX

Jeff Watkins and Thu Tran, Stafford, TX

A REGIONAL LUNCH

A regional chapter lunch at Matamoras Restaurant and Cantina in the San Antonio Area helped members connect during the summer. L-R: Kathleen Owens, Lilly and Jim Rowland, Florence Bice, Pam Power and Genie Mysorski.

NATIONAL SERVICE PROJECT:

CELEBRATION SET SEPT. 21; WATCH LIVE

A special celebration and dedication ceremony will be held in Dupree, SD on Sunday, September 21, 2025, marking the completion of the first phase (Tiny Home Village) of the project. The actual ceremonies will be live-streamed on YouTube so all of our members can take part virtually. Watch for details and a link.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CORPS

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE ABROAD

There are opportunities to serve the international YMCA community in Uruguay, Macedonia, Bahamas, and Dominican Republic. Click the button below for more information.

JOIN US ON A YMCA ALUMNI

TRAVEL CLUB ADVENTURE

Several Schreiner members took part in the YMCA Alumni Travel Club's June voyage to Norway, the Land of the Midnight Sun on a Princess Cruise. There's Pam Power, Carmelita Gallo and hosts Patrick and Jan Murphy having fun in the sun.

"OurTravel Club Land of the Midnight Sun cruise was simply fantastic. Good friends, beautiful Norway, and excellent accommodations. We met new friends and saw fantastic sights."

--Pam Power,

Schreiner Chapter President

COMING SOON; JOIN US

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).

June 5-12, 2026:

Alaska: The Last Frontier ocean cruise on Celebrity Edge. Hosts: Jean and Bert Bock (Weatherford Chapter).

Sept. 13-23, 2026:

Classic Canada and New England aboard the Sapphire Princess.

Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2026:

Special offer to YMCA Alumni knitters -

Yarn, Fun and Sun Knitting Cruise in Caribbean aboard Celebrity Apex.

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 contribution from all bookings.

Visit us on Facebook each Travel Tuesday. Watch for the September 15 issue of Going Places.

Contact YMCA Alumni Travel Club:

(407) 774-2229

ymcaalumni@gotravel.com

CHAPTER LEADERS

President: Pam Power

VP/Programs: Craig Schaefer

Treasurer: Jim Heiman

Secretary: Johnie Mae Dandridge

Editor: Sharon Sawallish

Membership: Chuck Dandridge

Immediate Past President: Terry Seth

Click on name to send email.

Newsletter produced for Schreiner Chapter by craig altschul + associates

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please think twice when unsubscribing to any unsolicited email. If it has been sent to you by Constant Contact, they are not allowed, by law, to send any more emails to you, including from YMCA Alumni. Just flick away emails you don't want -- but please don't "unsubscribe." We can get you re-subscribed ONLY ONCE. Send us an email if you are not receiving our newsletters or you have accidentally unsubscribed and we will try to reinstate you. --editor



YMCA Alumni Mission:

"...to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."