Newsletter January 2023

THE

LOOKOUT

Weatherford Chapter

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Dear Carl,

January 13. 2023

Spring Fling

Chattanooga, TN

Mon, Tues, Wed:

April 17-19, 2023

We are so excited to host our Spring Fling in Chattanooga, TN April 17-19, 2023. Chattanooga has experienced a downtown revitalization that is truly amazing in the last several years. The is a world class aquarium, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga Civil War Battlefield, the Medal of Honor national museum, Incline Railway, an arts district and great dining and shopping. Our committee consisting of Chuck and Cindy Harris, Suzahn Donaldson, Nancy Ryszkiewicz, and Nancy Reece have been hard at work planning a fun event.

Monday afternoon you can arrive at the Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel and Suites at 3 pm for check in and conference check in. We’ll gather for a social in an area in the hotel at 5 pm and you’ll have a chance to connect and put groups together to see various sites on Tuesday during free time. Dinner is at 6 pm at the Mayan Kitchen (Latin Fusion Cuisine) for dinner. Baron Herdelin Doherty, CEO of the YMCA of Chattanooga, will give us an update.

Tuesday Free time options include:

o Rock City Gardens – Cost $25.00

o Ruby Falls – Cost $25.00

o Incline Railway – Cost $15.00

o Tennessee Aquarium – Cost $29.95 (with IMAX $38.00)

Early am behind the scenes tour also available (reservations required)

o Chickamauga Civil War Battlefield (free)

o Point Park at Lookout Mountain (cost $10.00)

o National Medal of Honor Heritage Museum (near Aquarium)(Cost $11.95)

o Art District - Free

o Shopping

Due to the wide variety of great options for sightseeing, the committee decided to let you decide what you’d like to do. You can join a group and go to one of any sites of interest, walk the arts district, or go shopping. All you need to make sure of is that you’re back in time to board the Southern Belle for a 3-5 pm boat ride on the Tennessee river. We’ll have a chance to go back to the hotel and then go across the street to the Big River Grille for a casual dinner at 6:30. A dessert social will be held back at the Holiday Inn.

Wednesday, we’ll have a chance to have breakfast before we head home. The registration fee covers both dinners and the boat ride. Parking and breakfast are included with the room. We look forward to seeing you in Chattanooga!

Holiday Inn & Suites Downtown Hotel: 434 Chestnut Street

Walking distance to aquarium, river, restaurants, & shopping
Breakfast for 2 included
Complimentary parking
Free Wi-Fi
Room Rates: $ 169 + taxes

Make your hotel registrations by March 16, 2023

Call To Register at the hotel

(Check in time 3 pm)

call 800-425-4329- code: YAG (Y Alumni Group)

Or register online:

Downtown Holiday Inn Y Alumni booking

Please upload and send completed conference registration form and check to Cindy Harris by March 15, 2023

Conference Registration Fee is $120. per person; $130 if registering after March 15th

Cindy Harris 505 Yorkshire Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Email: [email protected] or (757) 630-3898

Click below to upload the conference registration form:

SPRING FLING REGISTRATION FORM

Message from Bill and Nancy Reece Weatherford Chapter Presidents

It happens at the YMCA, parks and rec, church, and sometimes at a concert. As we gather with

friends our age, the discussion begins to turn to the aches and pains we experience as we grow

older. “It comes with the territory”, “make it part of your expectations”, and other phrases are

often shared. It is true that with aging comes arthritis and other physical issues we deal with.

Two friends and Bill’s brother had emergency heart surgery in the last year when each was

found to have multiple blocked arteries. We experienced a refreshing conversation with Steve, who underwent multiple bypass surgery.

We saw him 2 months later when he was in cardiac rehab. He said “I get to do cardiac rehab

and that’s my new truth. I get to be with my wife, my kids, my grandkids, and my friends. I get

to go through physical issues because I’m still here doing life and trying to make a difference.”

We love his grateful heart. Instead of focusing on the hardship, he’s focusing on the gift of life.

We, too, are grateful that we “get to do life” with our friends in YMCA alumni. We share the

joy, pain, lessons and love as we come together to encourage and support each other. May

2023 be a year of gratitude and peace for us all.

BILL AND NANCY

Be joyful…Encourage each other…Live in harmony and peace…2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

National Service Project

The National YMCA Alumni recently sent out a special newsletter updating you on the National Service Project with the Council of Seven Fires (formerly the Sioux YMCA). Almost $600,000 was raised last year, and due to supply chain issues, inflation, etc. another $250,000 is needed.

Check out this link which will give you more information https://wawokiye.org/ . If you would like to contribute to the project, please go to the YMCA Alumni website at https://national-service-project.constantcontactsites.com/giving.

There will also be opportunities to volunteer at the build site this summer. Watch for more information via email later this winter.

YMCA Retiree Luncheon held on Wednesday December 7th for

Charlotte area YMCA Alumni

Glenn Mease reported that 19 retirees from the greater Charlotte area gathered for lunch December 7 at Trio restaurant. Friendships were renewed and new friends made as everyone enjoyed lunch and conversation. The lunch was part of the Y Ambassador Program of our Weatherford Chapter.