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ORVILLE LINDQUIST:
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Hello YMCA Alumni Friends:
Spring is firmly here, and I know that my schedule is getting fuller and fuller. It is so great to rise out of our winter stupor, see trees and flowers come into bloom, and get ready for the oh-so-short “nice weather” season in the Midwest.
The American naturalist Edwin Way Teale put it more poetically: “The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” Indeed, they do . . . at least they do until it is time to break out the lawn mower and begin to put right in the yard what winter messed up. Then, I could do with a little less “possibility.”
Still, I am excited about spring. The ability to go somewhere without wearing a jacket . . . sunlight when I leave an evening event . . . birds, squirrels, and critters everywhere. Spring allows all of us to rejoice at the rebirth of our world and within our own souls. Very soon, spring will become summer with its own gifts . . . then to the Fair, fall and foliage.
Before we go down that long road, we can each follow the advice of our friends in Camping - to “be where our feet are” - and revel in the joys of springtime before they are spent.
While I will work to follow the advice I have just given, I cannot help but look forward to our upcoming programs, particularly our summer picnic. Details for that event are in this newsletter. Please make plans to join us. We will have lots of friends together, and some darned good potluck.
This is one of our best events of the year and is well worth rearranging one’s calendar for.
Whatever is in store for your spring and summer, your friends with YMCA Alumni send best wishes for good weather and fun adventures.
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IT'S SUMMER PICNIC TIME:
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
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Plan to join us for our annual Summer Picnic. Here are the details:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Lone Lake Park in Minnetonka, Minnesota
5624 Shady Oak Road
Minnetonka, MN 55343
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Enjoy…FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, AND FUN.
Bring a dish to share for the potluck.
We will provide brats and hot dogs for the grill, water, plates, cups, and utensils.
Our special guest speaker will be Brian Hubbard, YMCA Alumnus, Crystal Police Chief.
Please RSVP by June 17 to Yvonne Anderson@nuveramail.net or 612-309-7997.
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A SPECIAL FALL CHAPTER GATHERING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
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Tuesday, September 15, 2026
2815 Overlook Drive (@ the home of Sandy Stooke)
Bloomington, MN 55431
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sandy’s phone: (952) 412-5143
Cost: $15 per person: please bring cash or check the day of the event.
We will gather for grilling with all the fixings for a fun fall afternoon luncheon, enjoying Sandy’s beautiful backyard and hospitality.
Join us to connect with friends old and new!
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OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCH
DECEMBER 1
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It's never too early to plan for holiday fun, so mark your calendar now for our annual Holiday Lunch.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Town & Country Club,
St. Paul, Minnesota
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Y-ALUM ZOOM-ROOM...
NEW AND JUST FOR YOU
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We can all agree on this: one of the best things about working at the YMCA was the people we worked with—interesting, inspiring, positive, fun people! Here’s a new way to stay connected with them even after our “work years” have ended: ”Y-Alum Zoom-Room.”
“Y-Alum Zoom-Room” is a fun and easy way to learn and connect with other YMCA alumni. Under the leadership of Yvonne Anderson, our new Alumni Chapter Program Officer, “Zoom-Rooms” will offer regular online “classes” led by YMCA Alumni on a variety of topics. They are free and available live. (Coming soon...a "library" of past presentations that can be viewed anytime).
Our first Zoom-Room was held in April when Bob Gagner presented “Around the Corner or Around the World: The Walk is Worth It!” Bob shared the story of how he and his wife have made mountain hiking a wonderful part of their retirement years. Eight “live” participants joined in. Thanks, Bob!
To learn about upcoming “Y-Alum Zoom-Rooms,” and to receive link information, contact Yvonne. We also welcome your ideas for topics and/or presenters.
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OUR NEXT ZOOM-ROOMS:
JOIN US MAY 26 AND JUNE 17
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“Y History at The Archives: 175 Years and Counting!”
with Ryan Bean
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
10 to 11 a.m.
The American YMCA turns 175 this year! That’s a lot of years and lots of great history. Join us for a virtual visit to the Kautz Family YMCA Archives (located on the University of Minnesota campus) led by Ryan Bean, YMCA Archivist. Learn about the Archive’s history, how it works, some of Ryan’s favorite Y history stories, and how we can help make sure Y history is accessible to future generations.
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“Tour de Minnesota: Solo Bikepacking in Minnesota"
with Rolf Thompson
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Wednesday, June 17, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
In his retirement, Rolf has done extensive bike touring or "bikepacking." His trip in 2021 (28 days, 1700 miles!) took him around the perimeter of Minnesota on bike trails, paved, and gravel roads. A lifelong Minnesotan, Rolf discovered numerous state parks, county courthouses, small towns, and rarely traveled remote byways, was delighted by the people he met, and developed a new appreciation of our state’s landscapes, geography, and history, all while traveling at the pace of a bicycle. Drawing from his extensive lifetime of adventures, Rolf will focus on his biking experiences, offering practical guidance on getting started or expanding your horizons with additional trips.
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WORLD SERVICE DAY
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS
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Nearly a dozen Upper Midwest YMCA Alumni volunteers (along with several of the North staff) called hundreds of Y CEOs around the country in April to remind them of the importance of support for Y World Service. This campaign raises $2 million annually to help life-enhancing Y work in more than 60 countries.
Approximately one-third of this money comes from YMCA Alumni, YMCA Community Members, Y-USA National Staff, Trusts, and local Y Staff. The other two-thirds is from U.S. YMCA Associations, Foundations, Corporations, and Clubs. Our Upper Midwest YMCA Alumni Chapter recently approved a $200 contribution to World Service.
“World Service Call Days are fun and easy!” says John Duntley. “Plan to join us for our next one on April 6, 2027,” as part of the World Service Campaign to remind them of the importance of support for Y World Service.
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Don Kerr will travel to LaPlant, SD, from September 8-15, to take part in the YMCA Alumni National Service Project's concluding event, building a "Twig" (small Y branch). Volunteer opportunities are still available for that project…Orville Lindquist will be attending the YMCA Alumni Chapter Presidents and National Board Training in St. Louis, June 2 – 4 known as "48 Hours."… A new scholarship has been established in honor of Harold Mezile, former CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis and the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. “The Harold Mezile YMCA CEO Scholarship” will help current African-American YMCA CEOs attend the African-American CEO Network conference…The next YMCA Alumni Reunion will take place June 16-27, 2027, in Kansas City…The Hiawatha Y Service Club will soon hold a steak fry at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church as its final meeting.
With sadness—and deep gratitude for their lives of service—we report the passing in March of long-time YMCA staff member Doug Petersen, former executive director of the Northeast YMCA and later board member of our Midwest Alumni Chapter…and the passing in May of Tom Brinsko, former CEO of the St. Paul YMCA and the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities.
| | VOLUNTEERS... 'LOVE IN MOTION' | | Eight enthusiastic YMCA Alumni volunteers lent a hand at the “Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People” food bank in Bloomington, Minnesota, in March. The workday was organized by Marji Miller. Pictured are Don Kerr, Marge Meffert, Yvonne Anderson, Orville Lindquist, Mary Felty, Lynn Harrington, and Bonnie Lindberg at the Y-Alumni volunteer event. (Photos by Marji Miller.) Thank you all for your work and inspiring example! | | |
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the new Upper Midwest Y Alumni program chair,” says Yvonne Anderson. “ I retired in December 2025 from senior health care and look forward to utilizing my talents and skills in a new capacity, helping our YMCA Alumni group strengthen our program events and activities.
“Please share your ideas for activities and programs you’d like to see. If you’d like to join our program team, please contact me. Thank you!”
Yvonne Anderson
yranderson@nuveramail.net
612-309-7997
| | YMCA EAF IS FOR YMCA ALUMNI, TOO | | |
The YMCA’s “Emergency Assistance Fund” provides financial support (via grants up to $2,500) to current Y staff—and alumni/retirees—facing emergencies. Learn more at ymca.eaf.org. If you have a YMCA EAF story, pass it along to Steve Harris. Thanks for the support that makes EAF possible!
| | Do you have some time to spare? Are you looking for meaningful activities? If you’d like to be part of a fun and positive group of people, we have a place for you! Areas of service include Membership, Caring and Concerns, and World Service. The time commitment is flexible and not excessive. Thank you for considering these opportunities! (Contact Marji Miller,, Chapter Secretary.) | | |
YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB
2026-2027 AVAILABLE ADVENTURES
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Escape on an unforgettable 16-day Pacific paradise journey aboard Emerald Princess, sailing round-trip from Los Angeles Jan. 25, 2027 to the magical Hawaiian Islands, offering lush volcanoes, vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and endless relaxation.
Click the button below for all available trips in 2026 and 2027.
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YMCA Alumni Mission:
"...to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."
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