So much to be THANKFUL for!
November is always a good time to reflect on what we are thankful for! We surveyed our members and staff and here are a few things they are thankful for at the Midtown YMCA!
  • Wonderful members
  • Pickleball friends
  • Evening cycle class
  • ZUMBA!
  • Great instructors
  • Plenty of parking
  • Afterschool staff
  • Fantastic coworkers
  • Coffee
And of course so much more!!! Stop by the front desk and let us know what you are thankful for this season!
Thanksgiving Hours
We are excited for the yearly scheduled maintenance of the gym floor! Our holiday schedule is below:

Wednesday, Nov 27: 6:00am - 6:00pm
Regular classes and programs until 2:00pm. Gym floor is being refinished beginning at 2:00pm.

Thursday Nov 28: Closed

Friday, Nov 29: Closed
Due to fumes from gym floor re-finish.

Saturday, Nov 30: Closed
Due to fumes from gym floor re-finish. 
  
Sunday, Dec 1: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Programs will resume as regularly scheduled. Gym Reopens. Be advised it still takes a bit of time for the smell of the gym to return to normal.
Honoring our Veterans
A very heartfelt thank you to those who have served our country. In honoring our veterans this month, we'd like to remind members of the military discounts available at our YMCA:

Veterans Benefits
The Y will waive our joining fee for any veteran with a military ID or proof of service.

Active Military Benefits
In partnership with the Armed Services YMCA and the Department of Defense, the Y is proud to offer memberships to eligible military families and personnel. It’s our way of giving back to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country.

All Things Pickleball
Check out the NEW pickleball bulletin board in gym! We will be posting pickleball updates and other fun pickleball related information to keep everyone in the loop!
 
New to Pickleball Lessons (NEW)
Tuesdays 11:30am-1:00pm 1 1/5, 11/12, 11/19
Have you been playing pickleball for a while but have not had any formal instruction? This lesson is for you! A maximum of 8 players and one certified instructor. Basics and drills will be emphasized.

Pickleball Lessons with a Twist (NEW)
Thursdays 11:30am-1:00pm 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
Eileen Kalish and Jill Vargas will be returning in the next couple of weeks. They will be doing “Pickleball Lessons with a Twist”. The lesson will start off with a 20-minute rating assessment followed by lessons working on the skills identified in the assessment.

Lessons are $10 for Y Members $15 Non-Members

Upcoming Pickleball Social Event
Join the Midtown YMCA Pickleball Crew for a fun Pickleball, Ping Pong, Pizza Event! ALL WELCOME!

When: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Midtown YMCA
Cost: $5 Includes pizza & drink

Sign up sheet is located at the bulletin board in the gym!

Competitive Pickleball League
Mondays 8:30am–10:00am
Levels 3.5-4.0. Register at the front desk or call 910-769-6800. Solid 1.5 hours of play. No Breaks.
 
Beginner Pickleball Lessons
Mondays 1:00pm-1:30pm (New time ½ hour earlier)
Y Members free, Non-members $5. Stay and Play 1:30pm-3:00pm.  This is a fun, low key intro to Pickleball!
 
Reserve a Court
Wednesdays 7:00am–8:30am or 8:30am–10:00am 
One member reserves the court at the membership desk by calling 910-769-6800 and then fills their foursome with members and/or guests. $5 reservation fee. 
 
Pickleball Time Changes
All of our afternoon pickleball times have changed to 1:00pm–3:00pm

Mondays
Beginner Lesson 1:00pm – 1:30pm
C Play 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays  
Pickleball B/C Play 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Wednesdays & Fridays  
Pickleball A/B Play 1:00pm – 3:00pm
whole_family_at_dinner.jpg
Healthy Thanksgiving Choices
Staying on track with a healthy lifestyle can be difficult during the holiday season but here are a few "better" choices for your Thanksgiving meal!

  • Whole wheat rolls
  • Fresh Cranberry Relish
  • Dark Green Leafy Salad
  • Fresh Steamed Green Beans
  • Roasted or Sauteed Brussel Sprouts
  • Whole Grain Stuffing

Great recipe below for a healthy Pumpkin Pie from the Minimalist Baker!

VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN PIE
10 ingredients | Vegan | Gluten-Free

CRUST

FILLING
  • 2 3/4 cups pumpkin puree (1 1/2 15-ounce cans yield 2 3/4 cups)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or sub mix of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
Community Giving Opportunities
Food Drive for Nourish NC
This season we are partnering with some local organizations to collect items for people in need. Bring your donations to the boxes in the lobby!

Bring your canned and packaged food donations with you to the Midtown YMCA, we are an official drop off location for Nourish NC.

The Purse Project
The purse projects collects gently used purses and fills them with toiletries for women. They deliver the filled purses to homeless shelters and women in need.

In addition to donating a purse, please consider donating some items to put into it! Below is a list of needed items!

  • Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Body Wash
  • Perfume
  • Tampons/Pads
  • Feminine Wipes
  • Eyeshadow
  • Lipstick/Lipgloss/Chapstick
  • Body/Face Lotion
  • First Aid Kit
Employee Spotlight
Shay Edwards

What is your job at the Y?  
I am an intern from UNCW, currently interning at the Midtown YMCA, assisting with Enhance Fitness and senior related classes. I am also a field assistant and coach for the YMCA's youth soccer program.

How long have you worked at the Y?
I started in August with the YMCA youth soccer program and started interning at the Midtown YMCA at the end of September. 

What is your Y story?
Where I was from in Roanoke Rapids, NC, we didn't have a YMCA. So on my first visit to the Y, I was overwhelmed with all the programs they had to offer. I became a member and now have the opportunity to be a staff member that now can help keep these programs running.

What do you like best about the Y?
The Y has so many amazing programs for people of all ages. There is something for everyone. I think the YMCA has some of the best programs for older adults. They also offer many opportunities for young children, which I think are very important because the held children learn team work, build confidence and learn leadership.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I do school work, volunteer, exercise, play soccer and spend time with friends and family. I enjoy doing anything outdoors

Being part of the YMCA has been a great experience. I'm just a small piece of this puzzle, there are a lot of wonderful people who help make this happen!

Basketball / Open Gym Schedule
Monday-Wednesday-Friday Open Gym Basketball
Now 11:30am – 1:00pm (30 minutes earlier). 

Saturday Family Open Gym
Remains 11:00am – 12:00pm
(December - February Halo Hoops kids will be taking this time slot.)

Saturday Pickup Basketball
Remains 12:00pm – 2:00pm
(December- February Halo Hoops kids will be taking this time slot.)

Sunday Pickup Basketball
Remains 2:00pm – 4:00pm

*There will be pickup Saturdays 12:00pm—2:00pm on Dec 21 and Dec 28

Beginning Monday, December 2 through February Monday evening pick up Basketball will be cancelled.
Halo Hoops Kids Basketball Program will be in the gym.*

*There will be pickup basketball Mondays 6:00pm—9:00pm on Dec23 and Dec 30
It's BACK! Super Senior Pick-Up Basketball

Senior Pick-Up Basketball
December 3rd - February 27th
No Play 12/24, 12/26, 12/31

Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00am - 10:30am
       
$40: Y Members
$50: Non-Members
 
Pre-Season Workouts 
Tuesdays and Thursdays 
9:00am - 10:30pm

Free: Y Members
$5/Day: Non-Members
Parents Night Out!
Get a jump start your holiday cooking, shopping or wrapping while the kids are enjoying a fun filled evening at the Nir Family YMCA!

Parents can rest assured that their kids will have fun while we feed them pizza, play games, enjoy sports, create a craft, and watch a movie! Children ages 3 (must be potty trained) to 15 are welcome!

Cost
Y Members: $20
Non-Members: $25
*Additional kids are $10/each

Where
Nir Family YMCA
2710 Market Street
 
When
Friday Nights 5:30pm - 9:30pm
11/22/19, 12/13/19, 01/31,20, 02/28/20, 03/27/20, 04/24/20, 05/29/20