BOB McDOWELL

FROM THE PRESIDENT

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. "

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy New Year! As we begin this new year, I am both honored and grateful to have the opportunity serve our Central Atlantic Chapter of Y Retirees as your President.

It is a privilege to step into this position, especially knowing I follow in the footsteps of Len Wilson, who has served with such dedication and care. Thank you, Len and Joyce, for exemplifying the YMCA's core values as you have phenomenally led our chapter over the past several years.

Our retirees represent the heart and history of the YMCA. Your years of service, leadership, and commitment to strengthening communities have shaped not only our organization but also countless lives throughout the Central Atlantic region. The values you upheld—service, inclusion, and compassion—continue to guide and inspire us today.

As President, I, along with our great Board, look forward to building upon this strong foundation. I am committed to maintaining meaningful connections with our members, honoring your contributions, and ensuring that the Central Atlantic Chapter remains a place of fellowship, purpose, and shared pride in the YMCA mission.

May this new year bring you good health, continued fulfillment, and opportunities to stay connected with one another and with the YMCA community you helped build. Thank you for all you have given, and for the example you continue to set.

With warm regards and best wishes for the year ahead.

Bob

Bob McDowell, President,

Central Atlantic YMCA Alumni

Len's Board members pose for a photo with him at our Christmas Luncheon. L to R: Jude Gallaher, Barbara Taylor, Len Wilson, Cathy Fromm, Veronica Elias, Deb Zvanut, Betteann Kramer, Bob McDowell and Hank Van Zanten.

A 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' LUNCHEON

A JAM-PACKED DAY OF CONNECTING

Photos: Top L-R: Frannie and Pete Smith, Roy and Barbara Taylor. Center: Wendy Fox and Bill Cameron. Bottom L-R: Cathy Fromm, Jan Tursi, Wendy Fox, Deb and Carl Zvanut.

Chapter members celebrated the holidays on December 4 at Toscana 52 in Feasterville, PA. It was a jam-packed day filled with seeing old friends, good food, excellent auction gifts, and bags and bags of clothing destined for Len and Joyce Wilson’s church in Philly.  

Len announced his stepping down as President of the chapter and introduced Bob McDowell, who will serve as President. Bob will finish the unexpired portion of Len's term and will stand for election at the next one. Bob thanked Len for his dedicated service to the chapter and said he looked forward to working with the Board of Directors. 

Len brought his auction magic, aided by Carl Zvanut, who carried the items around the room for everyone to see. Meanwhile, Betteann Kramer did her best to keep up with the winning bids. Our charity of choice is YMCA World Service, especially the Jerusalem International YMCA, but members can designate to EAF or ISC. The auction raised $2,920; well done, everyone.

Len has two follow-up items from our luncheon. The first is a letter from Fadi Suidan, Chief Executive Officer of the JIY, providing an update on its progress and thanking us for our support. You can read his letter by clicking HERE.

Secondly, Len delivered the clothes and other items collected at our luncheon to the Center’s Director Deaconess Darlene Didomineck. The center at Arch Street UMC has its own website that highlights a wide range of services for the unsheltered, as well as social justice initiatives.

The Center has had over 800 new clients come in off the streets for assistance in addition to those they are already serving. Len and Joyce hope our chapter can continue the giving of clothing each year at Christmas. It was most appreciated. All we provided was distributed within the next two weeks. Hopefully, Len can fill a larger vehicle than his Mazda next year; otherwise, Joyce will need a ride home.

Photos: Top L-R: Len and Carl raising money for World Service; Betteann Kramer and Alan Shaffer. Bottom L-R: Jan and Al Tursi. Deaconess Darlene Didomineck and Len with the food collection.

CHAPTER AT 70% RE-CONNECT;

LET'S DO BETTER BEFORE THE CUT-OFF

As of the Jan. 1, 2026 Re-connect Membership Report, our Central Atlantic Chapter retention is at 70 percent. This is a good start, but Cathy Fromm, Vice-President of Membership (photo right) knows we can do better.

Let's strive for 90 percent or more. The breakdown of units is 6 lifetime, 35 household, and 67 individual. Total members is 103. A reminder email was sent on January 9 to all members who had not yet re-connected.

There are two ways to re-connect: online by credit card or mail-in by check. You can do this by clicking on the button below.

Please don't let your membership lapse. We have a great chapter! All non-re-connects become inactive Feb. 28.

We have some new members in 2026: Larry and Lisa Richardson, Kirby and Christine Shimp, and Marcia Meehan. Please drop them a note to say hi and welcome them to the chapter. Just click on each name.

AI AND I

IT'S MY NEW HOBBY

Our very own Bill Cameron, erstwhile author of The Last Word in the original Perspective Journal, has been having fun with AI, especially the photo enhancer portion. Check out Bill’s instructive article by clicking on the button below. 

WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE OUR MEMBERS?

Bill Cameron, his son, and Ken and Chris White and friends sailed to Bermuda on Aqua, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship in 2025. It was commissioned in March 2025 and is the newest ship in the fleet. Ken says it was absolutely beautiful. (Photo: Bill Cameron, Ken and Chris White, Di and Jeff Stafford, and Matt Cameron.)

Tony and Georgia Fragale cruised the Danube in August. According to Tony, it was a great trip, and they made friends wherever they went. Tony really liked the beer.

Our intrepid golfers, Rich Curl, Mark Elsasser, Tony Fragale, and Bob McDowell, in Fort Myers, Florida. 

Remember, when you book your group or individual travel with GO Travel, you'll receive great service, savings, and advice, and our National YMCA Alumni budget receives a share of each booking.

TWO MILESTONES FOR VAN ZANTENS

Hank and Lois Van Zanten enjoyed experiencing two milestones this year. First, they celebrated their granddaughter Julia's wedding on May 31. Hank then cruised to his 90^th birthday in November. The good news is that he no longer needs to pay dues to YMCA Alumni. Certainly, something to look forward to! Happy Birthday, Hank. We wish you many more.

Pictured above L-R are Steve & Kara Voudouris, parents of the bride, Charlie and Julia, Lois and Hank, and granddaughter, Sophia, sister and Maid of Honor. At right, Hank and Lois.

GO SEE, GO DO, GO TRAVEL

2026-27 ADVENTURES AWAIT; DON'T DELAY

Join YMCA Alumni on a delightful cruise on the famed Blue Danube.

June 5-12, 2026:

ALASKA - THE LAST FRONTIER: We'll cruise before the huge summer crowds arrive. Depart from Vancouver, B.C., and return to Seattle aboard the Celebrity Edge.

July 20-25, 2026:

STUNNING VISTAS ABOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER: Travel in Premier Class through stunning scenery from Denver to Salt Lake City with highlights viewed from the train’s expansive glass-dome coaches.

Sept. 13-23, 2026:

CLASSIC CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND: A colorful 10-day YMCA Alumni fall cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess along Eastern Canada and New England's Atlantic Coast from Quebec City to Boston.

Oct. 4-13, 2026:

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SPAIN: Embark on an unforgettable guided C.I.E. luxury motor coach tour through the marvelous cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona.

MAY 6-14, 2027:

A DANUBE DREAM: Cruise along the peaceful and storied Danube River on Avalon Waterways through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. This trip will sell out early as it carries fewer than 200 passengers.

Family members and referred friends of YMCA Alumni members are welcome on all YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventures and to book individual travel. YMCA Alumni receives a contribution from all bookings.

Visit us on Facebook each Travel Tuesday and watch for the next edition of Going Places in your email Jan. 15.

Contact YMCA Alumni Travel Club:

(407) 774-2229

ymcaalumni@gotravel.com

COMING IN YOUR EMAIL FEB. 15:

'PERSONAL FINANCE FOR YMCA RETIREES'

CHAPTER LEADERS

President: Bob McDowell

Co-Chair: Vacant

Vice President/Membership: Cathy Fromm

Vice President/Programs: Vacant

Secretary: Veronica Elias

Treasurer: Betteann Kramer

Clippings Editor: Jude Gallaher

EAF: Hank Van Zanten

ISC/World Service: Debbi Zvanut

Member-at-Large: Rich Curl

Member-at-Large: Alane McCahey

Past President: Len Wilson 

Click on name in red to send email

Clippings is produced for the Central Atlantic Chapter

by craig altschul + associates.

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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