JANICE HIGGINS

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer, complete with trips to the beach, vacations and enjoying time with your families.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, a group of McBurney-Morse YMCA Alumni gathered in New York City for a chapter meeting hosted by the staff at the new YMCA Retirement offices, located in midtown Manhattan. It was followed by a guided walking tour of historic Grand Central Station.

The meeting at the Retirement Fund offices offered our members an opportunity to connect with colleagues and receive updates on Fund operations and benefits. Retirement Fund CEO Michael B. Cefole provided insights into the retirement fund's financial health and answered questions from attendees.  

National Service Project Construction Manager, George Painter, provided an update on the status of the project as it nears First Phase completion; Eastern Region VP Chuck Ainsworth distributed and updated all about the YMCA National Board-approved 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, and Bob Hastedt was re-elected as treasurer, replacing Kurt Kaboth, who has moved to Florida.

James Kirschner and staff Camille Carreon, Justine Martinez, and Stephen Collier provided technical support for our Zoom attendees, catered both breakfast and lunch, and gave us a tour of the new office space.

We enjoyed the walking tour of Grand Central Station, one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks. Led by a knowledgeable guide, the tour highlighted the terminal’s rich history, stunning architecture, and lesser-known secrets, offering both a nostalgic and awe-inspiring experience.

This memorable day served as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds formed during our YMCA careers and the enduring value of staying connected in retirement.

Janice Higgins, President

McBurney-Morse YMCA Alumni Chapter

Central Atlantic * McBurney-Morse * New England Chapters

October 6-8, 2025:

Join us on beautiful Cape Cod

at the Emerald Resort in Hyannis.

We invite you to attend the 4th Annual YMCA Alumni Three-Chapter Gathering as summer turns to fall. Connect with former colleagues and friends on Cape Cod at a beautiful time of year.

Relax and enjoy the company of fellow retirees and other YMCA Alumni members. Take part in hearing inspiring guest speakers, participating in activities such as visiting the JFK Museum, golfing at Twin Brooks Golf Course (located on hotel property), visiting and relaxing on pristine Craigville Beach, exploring nearby shopping at Hyannis Village, joining in the fellowship, eating some really good food, and much more.

Making your reservation is a simple two-part process:

Deadline is Sept. 8, 2025.

#1 -- HOTEL

Call Emerald Resort’s reservation number (508) 775-7775 and refer to "YMCA Alumni Room Block" to reserve your room for Oct. 6-8, 2025. Our reservation code is: "YMCA 25." OR, CLICK HERE to register online:

Room rates: $129/room/night (single or double) plus tax. Based on availability, conference rates are available two days prior and two days following the event.

The Emerald Resort is located at 35 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis, MA 02601.

#2 -- REGISTRATION FEE AND FORM

The registration fee is $100 per person, which covers speaker fees, opening night reception/dinner at the resort, welcome bags, and more.

Please mail your check and this completed form to Alan Hurst, Treasurer (address on form). Questions? Financial assistance is available if you feel you cannot afford the full cost of the conference. Email Nancy Bonell or call her at (508) 965-9507 for more information.

Please note: There are additional fees for some activities (golf, JFK Museum, House of Hatches), a cash bar for the Opening Night reception, and a few meals. A detailed schedule will be emailed to all registrants in early September.

Deadline is Sept. 8, 2025

3-CHAPTER GATHERING

REGISTRATION FORM:

Name(s)_______________________________

Address:_______________________________

Email: _________________________________

Cell phone: (___) ____ - ________

YMCA Alumni Chapter: ____________________________________

Please mail with your check, payable to New England YMCA Alumni, to: Alan Hurst, Treasurer, P.O. Box 187, Cobalt, CT 06414.

CHUCK AINSWORTH

MY SERVICE PROJECT EXPERIENCE

The second wave of volunteer workers supporting the construction of four tiny homes for the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires in May successfully concluded its assigned tasks with determination and pride.

While there are two more work weeks remaining in September to finalize the finishing touches, there is reason to celebrate the results of nearly four years of extraordinary volunteer efforts for the YMCA in Dupree, enabled by more than a million dollars in donations from 608 donors throughout the U.S.

One critical factor in the success of the four-year construction project has been the outstanding leadership provided by the onsite manager, George Painter, a member of the McBurney Morse Chapter. We thank him for his dedication.

Being a “boots-on-the-ground worker” in the second wave of 2025 was a special experience: being with fellow dedicated volunteers from throughout the U.S., working long days, sharing the preparation of meals and cleanup, and enduring a chilly week and five days of rain.

Most importantly, we gained a deeper understanding of the project's significance for a community struggling to cope with serious challenges and extraordinary limitations. For those working on the tiny homes, opportunities to meet with local leaders and to learn about the issues they and their community face were very educational.

One presenter, Dean Dupris, Sergeant-At-Arms of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Government, spoke about the importance of project volunteers and his intention to help them understand the local culture. He described the conditions which make our National Service Project so meaningful: the county, which includes Dupree, is the poorest in SD with an 80 percent unemployment rate, severe drug abuse and alcoholism, extensive domestic violence, and deep despair.

Perhaps most moving for his audience was his speaking with his eyes closed to tell an emotional, tragic story, and then singing “Pina Mayu,” a Lakota prayer of thanks to one’s ancestors.

Medina Metonis, Executive Director of the 100 Horses Women’s Society, described their work beginning with young girls in preparation for their menstrual cycle as part of the journey to become a spiritual human being, “Even in thought, respect women.” The Becoming A Woman Ceremony evokes the energy and conveys the power that a woman possesses. The ceremony encourages older women to participate as potential models of this cultural experience for the younger participants.

Thank you, YMCA Alumni, for your selection of this extraordinary investment, benefiting not only the people of Dupree, but also the many volunteers who assisted and learned.

BONNIE MAIRS

TELL US YOUR FAVORITE Y STORY

All of us have countless Y stories to tell. Let's share some of them.

I will start the ball rolling by sharing a story I was told by a young Lebanese YMCA leader. He was working at YMCA Camp Abnaki in Vermont as an international counselor. He said this story was the most important experience of his summer.

His cabin group had gone on an overnight by rowboat. It began to rain so they went to shore, turned up the boats and huddled under them to wait out the storm. A small Jewish camper under the rowboat with him asked, “Aren’t we at war?” 

The Lebanese counselor, a Muslim, had to think hard about how he could answer. It was a challenge he hadn’t faced before. He finally said that you and I are not at war. We are friends. He said that, even if our countries disagree, people like you and I can be friends and that if there are more friends, there will be fewer wars.

Please send your stories for a future newsletter to Bonnie Mairs.

YMCA Alumni members Patrick and Jan Murphy are your hosts on this Classic Canada and New England cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess in September 2026.The Murphys hosted our just-returned Norway cruise.

Oct. 14-22, 2025:

South America Getaway: Rio to Buenos Aires motor coach with Globus Tours. Your host: Bob Cook (YMCA Alumni Travel Club/Go Travel).

June 5-12, 2026:

Alaska: The Last Frontier ocean cruise on Celebrity Edge. Hosts: Jean and Bert Bock (Weatherford Chapter).

Sept. 13-23, 2026:

Classic Canada and New England aboard the Sapphire Princess.

OCT. 31- NOV. 7, 2026

YARN, FUN AND SUN

KNIT TOGETHER A PERFECT VACATION

Here’s a very special seven-day Caribbean cruise vacation aboard the Celebrity Apex for our YMCA Alumni members who love to knit. You’ll join fellow knitters from all over the country for a knitting adventure like no other.

This cruise is the perfect blend of knitting immersion, tropical exploration, and pampered relaxation, all surrounded by like-minded yarn lovers, spouses and guests Click HERE for knitting cruise details.

CHAPTER LEADERS

MCBURNEY-MORSE

President: Janice A. Higgins

Vice President: John Hedbavny

VP/Membership:

VP/ National Service Project: George Painter

Treasurer: Bob Hastedt

Past Co-Chair: Chuck Ainsworth

Newsletter Editor: Bonnie Mairs

Click on name in red to send email.

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The mission of YMCA Alumni is "to provide opportunities for members to Connect, Travel, and Serve while nurturing worldwide Christian fellowship." 

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