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JUDY WURTZBACHER
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Hello Craig,
Spring is a season of renewal and growth.
I hope you are enjoying the longer days and beautiful weather.
It’s a perfect time to come together and join us May 15,10:30 a.m. at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas CA 92024. Admission will be $12 per person. Take this opportunity to connect, have fun and walk through the vibrant flower displays. Look for an EVITE in April with more details.
Thanks to the following members who stepped up and agreed to serve on the Marston Chapter YMCA Alumni Board for 2025-2027.
Membership: Lisa Betterton; Secretary: Piper Haynes; Treasurer/EAF: Sam Wurtzbacher; World Service: Rick Riehman; National Projects: Steve Rowe;
Past President: Jeanne Schmelzer; Newsletter: Tom Madeyski; Reunion Rep: Bea Halk; Friendship: Gerry Martin.
The Programs position is open and we would love one of you help us plan future events. If interested, please let me know! Thanks.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. May this season bring you joy, good health and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the things you love most.
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YMCA ALUMNI REUNION-AT-SEA
MARSTON MEMBERS SAILED ALONG
| | Top photo: The YMCA Alumni full group. Notice our Bea Halk and Cherie Choy in front row. We were honored to be joined by former Y-USA leadership staff Lynne Vaughn, Carmelito Gallo (event chair) and former YUSA CEO Dave Mercer. Bottom photos: Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas; Marston group included L-R, front: Dobbie Madeyski, Bea Halk, Cherie Choy. Back row: Nancy Dortch, Tom Madeyski. | | |
Five members of the Marston Chapter joined some 123 YMCA Alumni aboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas for a western Caribbean cruise Jan. 26-Feb. 2.
What a ship! It is among the largest cruise ships at sea. The Harmony dwarfed every other cruise ship we encountered. There were entire “boroughs”, including Central Park, the Boardwalk and Promenade on board. Port visits included Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Workshops were offered on days at sea. We had a virtual visit from YUSA CEO Suzanne McCormick and an update from the Y Retirement Fund CEO Michael Cefole (all is well!). Perhaps the best part was dinner fellowship as multiple tables of Y Professionals broke bread together each evening.
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STEVE ROWE
TINY HOME VILLAGE NEARLY FINISHED
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Hundreds of generous donors and volunteers have given of their time, treasure and talents to prepare 2025 for the final year of construction of the first phase of the National Service Project with the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires.
We are excited about the significant impact that the Tiny Homes will have on the children and families of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. If you are interested in a life-changing experience, please consider joining one of the week-long waves available dates in May or September.
Volunteer crews will be helping with tasks such as installing flooring, kitchen cabinets, appliances, furniture, and lighting and plumbing fixtures. Other tasks include landscaping, painting, and trimming windows and doors. No construction experience is required! YMCA Alumni members, family and friends are welcome.
Wave 1: May 6-13; Wave 2: May 13-20; Wave 3: Sept. 9-16
Watch your snail mail for your invitation to come celebrate the completion of the first phase of our project -- the tiny home village called Morning Star.
Click the button below for more details on volunteering on a construction wave or email me.
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FROM BEA HALK: The Marston Chapter was well represented at the recent Alumni Reunion at Sea. Tom and Dobbie Madeyski, Cheri Choy, Nancy Dortch and I enjoyed ports of call, ship activities, but most of all catching up with colleagues from all over the country. The highlight for me was holding a baby sloth at an animal refuge in Roatan, Honduras.
| | FROM BILL DAVIS: I've been busy traveling and have more planned: Japan in March (a cruise), New York in April (a family trip to see my niece’s husband perform a one-person play), and then an Ireland cruise in August. I am a blessed man with a great family and wonderful friends. | | FROM TOM AND DOBBIE MADEYSKI: Loving life in Ocean Beach. Dobbie was just approved for the Big Sisters Program, while Tom is the sports stadium announcer for Mesa College and Point Loma High School Volleyball. Our next trip is to Italy in June for a 17-day motor coach tour, a few nights at Lake Lucerne, then a Viking River cruise on the Rhine to Amsterdam. Woo hoo! | | FROM JEANNE SCHMELZER: Let me share photos of my great grandchildren Finley (3) and Grayson (9 months), a photo with brother Paul in Pennsylvania and a family photo at Van's celebration of life, held September 28, 2024 (he would have been 75 on that day). | FROM RICK RIEHMAN: Our family continues to be the apple of our eyes and with it came our oldest granddaughter’s wedding (photos above) and the announcement at Christmas that we will be great grandparents not once but twice in 2025. That will bring our family total to 3 grown children, 8 grandchildren (6 grown) and 3 great grandchildren. Now, if I can just keep all their names and ages straight. “Psalm 128:6 “May you live to enjoy your grandchildren (and great -grandchildren). May Israel have peace. | | |
FROM LISA BETTERTON: I noticed a hummingbird flying “multiple times a day” near the same spot in our backyard. A few days later I saw the beginnings of a nest being formed. I was very excited because the hummingbird is my favorite bird. After 2-3 weeks, I took another peek and I saw a tiny little egg in the nest, and a few days after that a second little egg.
One day, I had our back door open and the Mama hummingbird flew into the house. I’m searching desperately throughout the house to find the hummingbird, knowing it’s the Mama that built the nest. I found her in the Master bedroom on top of the curtains. My husband removed the window screens to encourage her to fly out but it didn’t work. My son attempted to catch the hummingbird (now sitting on the fan) in a soft shopping bag and succeeded. He gently let her go and she is now reunited with her baby eggs. We should see two baby hummingbirds soon.
| | FROM THE WURTZBACHERS (RIGHT) AND ROWES (LEFT): We spent 17 days on a road trip to Costa Rica exploring areas around La Fortuna, Samara, Santa Teresa, Manuel Antonio. We hiked trails in Arenal Volcano National Park, did the 500 steps down to La Fortuna waterfall, had an adventurous hike to a waterfall in Montezuma, and had plenty of opportunities to explore various beaches. We enjoyed a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. | | |
2025-2026 ADVENTURES
YMCA ALUMNI TRAVEL CLUB
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YMCA Alumni and Go Travel have greatly expanded their partnership (see original story). Look for lots of new trips and benefits. Be sure to book official YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and your own individual, family and referred friends travel through Go Travel's expert agents. YMCA Alumni's national budget receives a percentage of all sales.
June 17-July 3, 2025:
Norway: Land of the Midnight Sun and Summer Solstice ocean cruise on Emerald Princess. Hosts: Schreiner Chapter's Jan and Patrick Murphy.
Oct 14-22, 2025:
South America Getaway motor coach and air with Globus Tours. Host: Go Travel's Bob Cook.
Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2025:
Ancient Adriatic Treasurers cruise from Venice to Istanbul on Viking Ocean's newest ship. Hosts: YMCA Alumni Communications Team Peggi Simmons and Craig Altschul.
June 5-12, 2026:
Alaska: The Last Frontier ocean cruise on Celebrity Edge. Hosts: Weatherford Chapter's Jean and Bert Bock.
Photos: Norway, South America, Greece, Canada
| | FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK ON TRAVEL TUESDAYS AND SERVICE WEDNESDAYS | | |
CHAPTER LEADERS
President: Judy Wurtzbacher
Vice President: Steve Rowe
Secretary: Piper Haynes
Treasurer: Sam Wurtzbacher
Membership: Lisa Betterton
World Service Chair: Rick Riehman
National Programs: Steve Rowe
Program: Vacant
Newsletter Editor: Tom Madeyski
Reunions: Bea Halk
The Grapevine is produced for the Marston Chapter by craig altschul + associates
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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