Message from the President Laura Kamperman

Dear Chapter Members,

CONNECT: It still feels like the middle of summer, but our chapter is already looking forward to our annual Fall Festival at the beautiful Blue Ridge Assembly YMCA in Black Mountain, NC the last week of October. The scenery that time of year is stunning and the quiet of the camp gets you away from the "leaf-peeping" crowds. We have a laid-back agenda with several social activities and lots of time to visit old friends and make new ones. We have several new members this year and encourage you to join us! One of the activities throughout the Festival is our silent auction to raise funds for the YMCA Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF). You can join the fun by donating a new or gently used item (something you would consider purchasing, is best) and bring your checkbook or credit card to have fun shopping. (We now take credit card for silent auction items.) We also have a snack table where people share their favorite snacks (homemade or store-bought).  

Watch for future information about our online Christmas party!

TRAVEL: Next year is our nationwide YMCA Alumni Reunion. It will be hosted in Kansas City, MO June 16-19, 2028. Lots of fun activities are in the planning stages. Check the website: YMCAAlumni.org for updates.

SERVE: You can still serve as a volunteer for the YMCA National Service Project of Tiny Homes and a Twig in cooperation with the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires (Sioux YMCA).  This is the final phase of the National Service Project-the Twig-a small YMCA Program Branch in the remote town of La Plant. We are actively recruiting volunteers to help build this structure utilizing the shipping containers that we used for storage in our Tiny Home Village.   At the request of the YMCA, a small area has been added to the Twig's original plan to provide living quarters for a YMCA staff person. This late addition, plus the rising costs of building materials, makes it a challenge to stay within our budget for the National Service Project. If you would like to help us manage this challenge, please go to YMCA Alumni National Service Project Credit Card Donor Form.

It's that time of year again.......

Which means it is time to register for the YMCA Weatherford Alumni Fall Festival !

October 26-28, 2026

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly

84 Blue Ridge Circle

Black Mountain, NC

Besides lots of fellowship & relaxation amidst the beautiful mountains, we will have many fun and engaging opportunities, including -

Local author meet and greet

Golfing with Ed (Black Mountain course has 9 holes open again) Call Ed at 860-778-1245 or email at ed.ryszkiewicz@gmail.com to sign up for golf before October 12th so he can reserve tee times to play on the afternoon of Tuesday October 27th.

Pickleball with Phill

Workout with Sybil

Crafting Corner (bring your knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch, diamond art,etc for an   old fashioned sewing circle)!

Back by popular demand – presentation by Helen Johnson on mountain flora.

                 (Remember how engaging her geography/geology talk was last year?)

Plus …... several other surprises! We can't give away all our activities.

Also, we will continue our tradition of our silent auction. So start gathering treasures!

Registration fee is $30.00 per person, plus room and board at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.

Registration will be handled by

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly by going to: Alumni Registration

You can also go to: Blue Ridge Homepage

Deadline to register is October 12.

If you have questions or need help registering call YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly at 828-669-8422

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING Y'ALL ON THE MOUNTAIN!

Hosted by Keven and Tania

Weatherford Chapter 2026-2027 Committee Members Information

President: 

Laura Kamperman

Somerset, KY

LKamperman1@hotmail.com

Vice Presidents of Program:

Moe & Mary Bell

Rock Hill, SC

Moebell9622@gmail.com

Vice Presidents of Service:

Gary & Marcy Schlansker

Greer, SC

geschlansker@gmail.com

Secretary: 

Carole Forbes

Ft Mill, SC

carole.forbes0720@gmail.com

Treasurer:

Ed & Nancy Ryszkiewicz

Birmingham, AL

nancyeryszkiewicz@gmail.com

Membership Chair:  

Tom & Beth Blackman

Lexington, KY

thomasblackman@yahoo.com

Newsletter: 

Jane Schirmer

River Bend, NC

schirmer2@aol.com

Past President and Care & Concerns:

Charles & Sherrie Cleveland

Winston-Salem, NC

Charles73148@gmail.com and sherrie.cleveland@gmail.com