It's time to renew
your YMCA Alumni membership
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The Grapevine
George Marston Chapter
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Greetings!
It is hard to believe summer 2021 is already over! I hope you and your family enjoyed memorable experiences. Judy and I were able to take several trips to visit kids and grandkids.
On one of those visits, we learned about a couple of places I know will be part of our family’s future “share time.” One is in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina and the other one is just outside of Nashville. Both offer innumerable hiking and boating options. As we traveled, we realized the Covid-19 crisis is still with us. Everywhere we went, we found people cautious and concerned about their health and their family’s wellbeing.
Our chapter is eager to come together in person to share laughs, food, and a few hugs. Our board had recommended we convene in person in October; however, we are well aware of the concern the Delta variant is creating, and we will plan accordingly.
But the good news is that YMCA Alumni Reunion '22, scheduled to take place Jan. 12-15 in New Orleans, is good to go! We have been assured New Orleans is fully open for business, and we are greatly looking forward to being together for that event.
All of us had hoped by this time the shadow of the pandemic would be lifting. To be sure, we have come a long way from the darkest days of last year, but it seems our lessons in patience and resilience need to continue a little longer. It is at times like these we most need our faith, our courage, and each other. Wishing you all health and happiness. Hope to see you sometime soon. Stay safe!
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Victor Botello, President |
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Fundraising goal; scope of project set by
National Service Project Committee
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A budget and fundraising goal for the first phase of the YMCA Alumni Service Project has been set after many hours of volunteer work by committee members, Sioux YMCA leaders, architects and others.
Marston Chapter Representative Steve Rowe has announced a goal of $100,000 has been set for Phase One of our project with the Sioux YMCA to build a village of tiny homes in Dupree, S.D., home base for the Y.
The first phase includes necessary site preparation work, such as foundation, surveys, borings, utility hook-ups, architectural drawings, and all materials needed to build the prototype 485-square-foot tiny home with a loft and outdoor deck. That includes lumber, roofing, insulation, sheet rock, windows and doors, lighting, appliances, and HVAC.
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The home itself is projected to cost $56,000. (architect's rendering left). The plan includes purchasing two containers for storage on the site, eventually moving them to rural locales on the reservation and becoming “twigs” (small Y branches).
A local tribal member will be retained by the Sioux YMCA and funded through the project who will work with the first volunteer teams next spring and then finish the remainder of the home during the rest of the year.
The entire scope of the initial project, including seven tiny homes and two “twigs”, will be completed over as many years as needed. The total multi-year project is expected to cost $600,000, but we will learn much more about final costs after the first phase is completed.
Click HERE to learn more about the Sioux YMCA.
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As you enter into the last quarter of this crazy year, it may be a good time to consider the charitable donations that you want to make before year-end.
So this is a reminder that the YMCA Employees Assistance Fund (EAF) has existed for more than 100 years to help Y employees and YMCA Alumni in times of unexpected financial need.
In recent years, several members of our chapter have received significant EAF financial support for emergency help, so we know first-hand the EAF is a reliable organization, very worthy of our support.
If you have any questions, please contact Bill Parkhurst. Contributions can be made online by clicking on the button below or mailed to: Emergency Assistance Fund, YMCA of the USA, 101 N. Upper Wacker Dr., 16th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606.
--Bill Parkhurst, Marston EAF Chair
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There's still time to register for YMCA Alumni Reunion '22 set for Jan. 12-15, 2022.
Sure, it's been a rough year, but the spirit of New Orleans (and clean-up crews) have dealt with those things many times. YMCA Alumni members who live there and our travel consultants all promise The Big Easy will be ready to welcome us in every way.
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The Reunion features a tour of the world-famous city, a visit to Mardi Gras World just before the return of the celebration with our opening night at Mulate's, Louisiana's original cajun restaurant. Join in dinners with friends, a few presentations, plenty of free time to tour other attractions (like the incredible World War II museum and to enjoy Bourbon Street and Frenchmen at night. Plus all that jazz.
We'll stay at the Embassy Suites New Orleans in the heart of it all (complimentary cooked breakfast and evening reception daily). It's time to get away again -- let's all meet in The Big Easy.
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There's also still space on our "After The Reunion" Caribbean Cruise leaving from the Port of New Orleans (5 minutes from our reunion hotel) and visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatan, Honduras. We sail Jan. 16-24. Click the button below and seriously consider joining us at Reunion '22. |
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We heard it on the grapevine... |
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Cheri Choy visited the Sioux YMCA this past summer and shares this reflection:
THE Y-BOYS SONG
“There’s a buncha Y boys from the ol’ Y-M-C-A
In the building of their future nation,
There’s a buncha Y boys who have the proper swing
Their motto is it CAN BE done,
So, listen to them sing…”
Since the 1930s and to the summer of 2019, young people from San Francisco’s Chinatown YMCA headed to the mountains 6-8 hours away from the urban center of “THE City” to sleep, play, and live in nature for 8 days. I started my Y career 42 years ago at the Chinese YMCA singing the “Y-Boys” song.
I assumed the role that was formerly known as “Boys Work Secretary,” reflective of the roots of the YMCA Movement, providing leadership to Hi-Y, Tri-Y, Gray-Y, Raggers Society, World Service soap sales, Camp Fair and Carnival. Looking back to my earliest days as a Y professional, I have fond feelings and memories about the core values and a deep seeded mission. The Chinese Y is a premier example of the longevity of YMCA “group work.”
This past summer, these same warm feelings about the core values and mission of the Y resurfaced when I paid a visit to the Sioux YMCA located in Dupree, South Dakota, site of our YMCA National Service Project. (Top photo: L-R: Mark Barron, Youth Director; Andrew Corley, Executive Director and Cheri.)
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The tiny city of Dupree, S.D.is home base for the
Sioux YMCA (pop. 525).
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This is "home" for the Sioux YMCA serving the far-flung Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. |
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Bill and Barbara Parkhurst are still trying to keep up with their 14 grandchildren and soon to be 14 great grandchildren, living from coast to coast. Keeping up with birthdays alone, is almost a full-time job. Looking forward to a hoped for gathering of Marston Chapter people in the not too distant future. Best wishes to all.
Phyllis Lyte -I am looking forward to a booster "shot", but am now questioning how this affects getting the annual flu shot. For now I'm grateful to be well. 'Til next time.
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Steve and Karen Mott have been out to enjoy season tickets at Moonlight Theatre performances. Was closed all last year! We visited Kauai, Sept. 16-Oct. 2. Haven't been back to Kauai for our annual trip since 2019. Enjoyed some snorkel and beach time. We'll be in New Orleans for YMCA Alumni Reunion '22 in January.
Thank you to all who participated in the survey this summer of programming events for our group. We appreciate your input. Watch for announcements of upcoming events being planned and we look forward to seeing you soon!
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Judy and Sam Wurtzbacher-The three amigos (L-R: Dick Chapel, Bill Davis and Sam Wurtzbacher) along with Penny and Judy enjoyed a week in Sayulita, Mexico. Dick and Penny Chapel found a beautiful home in this quaint village on Mexico’s Pacific coast known for great fishing, surfing, and spectacular sunsets.
The Wurtzbachers and Bill Davis went on an adventurous hike in the jungle that led to a beautiful beach. Dick and Penny were wonderful hosts, cooking delicious dinners and chauffeuring us around in the rental golf cart. It was great spending time with longtime friends and colleagues.
Steve and Valerie Totten - We visited our daughter Kristi and her family in Seattle. Our youngest granddaughter Olivia turned one in April. Our oldest granddaughter Charlotte is 4 and a handful (good handful). She is doing great in her preschool and is now taking gymnastics lessons. She can't wait to start swimming lessons at their local Y.
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Bea Halk- I spent most of the summer at outdoor concerts and recently spent a few days “staycation" at a resort in Oceanside enjoying long walks on the beach, watched surfing competition and checking out shops and eateries.
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Piper Haynes- Toni and I decided to finally get away and traveled to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone for two weeks of hiking, rafting, fishing and just having a blast enjoying nature. It was crowded, and you had to adjust to new rules but well worth it. Next year we are going on a cruise to Egypt down the Nile and then a trip to Hawaii.
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Pattie Griffin - Enjoying being in San Diego this summer with friends and family and celebrating her and Steve’s 40th wedding anniversary.
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Jeanne Schmelzer’s son Jaison and daughter-in-law, Nicole were married Sept. 31 in Las Vegas on a helicopter. We were celebrating at Bella Maria winery.
Be sure to send us your news. It's a great way to CONNECT.
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New YMCA leaders: At home and nationally |
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The YMCA of San Diego County named a new CEO this summer. To learn more about Todd Tibbetts, the new CEO and President, click HERE.
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Suzanne McCormick has been named president and chief executive officer of YMCA of the USA. McCormick brings more than 27 years of experience as a senior and executive leader in nonprofit, for-impact organizations to the role, most recently serving as U.S. President of United Way Worldwide.
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Join The YMCA Alumni Travel Club on 2022 adventures |
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Marston Chapter Leaders
Thank you to the following YMCA Alumni members for volunteering to help our chapter and serve as board officers and members at large for 2020-2022:
Honorary Member: Bea Halk YMCA Hall of Fame
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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