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News You Can Use - September 2009

Membership

Have a Blast! Register NOW for the Charity Sporting Clay Shoot & Silent Auction!
Join us on Saturday September 19 at the Brooklyn Sportsman Club for the first Jackson YMCA Charity Clay Shoot and Silent Auction. Space is limited – Register by September 12. The cost is $70 per person - and that includes a continental breakfast, safety instruction, shoot and lunch featuring awards and a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit the Jackson YMCA. Art Moehn Chevrolet Honda is a Premier Sponsor, and the Jamie McKibbon Outdoor Show on ESPN Radio 1450 is our media sponsor. We have lots of items in the Silent Auction – Check out the showcase at the YMCA entrance to see what’s up for auction. Don’t want to shoot? You can attend the lunch and Silent Auction for $12.00 For more information, contact us at 782-0537 or visit our website at www.jacksonymca.org.

Member Spotlight - Sherry Owens
Thanks to a little inspiration from the Jackson YMCA, member Sherry Owens recently completed her first triathlon. The 30-year-old Jackson resident, who joined the YMCA in 2004, completed the YMCA Lazy Triathlon in October 2008. She enjoyed the event so much, she decided to enter the Clark Lake Triathlon, held this past July at the Clark Lake Beach and Boat Club.
“The Lazy Triathlon was the spark that inspired me,” says Owens. “That’s how much I discovered I liked cross-training. I like how it builds all the different muscle groups. I don’t feel like I’m a long-distance runner, so it was a good event for me. I work best if I have a goal, and the triathlon was perfect for me.”
The YMCA Lazy Triathlon allows members to log their swimming, biking and running miles for a month, and earn a T-Shirt upon completing their goal. Members can participate at the Bronze, Silver or Gold level, depending on their ability.
Owens used the YMCA facility all winter to train for the Clark Lake event. “I ran on the track, even in the warm weather, because it helped me keep track of my mileage,” she says. “I also biked here during the winter, and swam laps.”
She says she loves working out at the YMCA because of the sense of community it provides. “There are people here with all different levels of fitness,” she says. “There are kids here, elderly people. The best part is that you don’t feel like anyone is judging you. There is such a welcoming attitude.”
Next up at the Y for Owens? She plans to try the climbing wall and maybe even take a
Zumba class.

Oktoberfest is Coming! - $1.00 Join Fees!
October is just around the corner, and that means great specials for new members, or former members who wish to rejoin. The fun begins on October 1st, with one dollar join fees for new members, and special events and freebies for our current members! The fun continues through the month as join fees match the date on the calendar, and all new members get free fitness classes during the month. Help get the word out!

Jackson YMCA Partnership Park Trunk-R-Treat
Volunteers and candy donations are needed for our annual Trunk-R-Treat event. The event will be held on Halloween night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the YMCA parking lot. The purpose is to provide children in the YMCA neighborhood a safe alternative to door-to-door trick or treating. Volunteers are needed to distribute candy from their trunks. There will be also be a “Best in Row” trunk decorating contest! Join the fun, and serve youth in our community! For more information contact Shawna Tello, Membership Director.

YMCA and River Tree Church Family Fun Night
Event will be held on Saturday Sept. 26th at 7:15 p.m. Cost is just $1.00 per family! Fun activities include movie and popcorn, glow in the dark dodgeball, crafts, and more. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Contact April Smith for more information.

Health and Wellness

They’re here! Check out our new fitness classes!
Looking to shake up your fitness routine and try something new? Then try out our new Group Exercise classes, beginning throughout September. ZUMBA, held Monday at 6:40 p.m. and Wednesday nights at 5:30 p.m., combines Latin and international music to create a dynamic, exciting workout that is ideal for nearly all fitness levels.

Those looking to strengthen and tone can check out a variety of new classes. On the Ball on Thursday mornings at 9:40 a.m., which features core training on exerballs, and Pilates B3, held Tuesday morning at 9:40 a.m. Pilates B3 offers a new experience utilizing the three B’s: stability balls, bands and the Bosu. Strengthen your body and your faith with Pump and Praise, which uses weights, resistance bands and more, and is set to Christian music. The class is held Monday and Wednesday mornings at 10:45 a.m.

Get inspired by taking your workout outside! The Friday morning 8:30 a.m. Cross Training will move outdoors to Bucky Harris Park, in downtown Jackson on September 11th. Group Cycling will also meet at Bucky Harris, on Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. For a new and refreshing experience, give one or both a try!

Aquatics

Update: YMCA pool renovations move forward
Renovations on the small and large pools at the Jackson YMCA are in full swing. The small pool has been completely stripped and remarcited, the deck has new tile, and the drains have been upgraded. The large pool has new grout, which takes 4-6 weeks to cure, and new drains have been installed in the deep end. Other updates, including new paint and equipment upgrades, are in progress. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide you with the best possible facility!

Youth Programs

Hop on the Blue Bus after school!
The Jackson YMCA After School Adventure is back, and better than ever. Participants can choose from exciting classes including Swim Lessons, Cheerleading, Study Hall, Rockwall, Gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do and much more! Program includes transportation from school to the YMCA, and a healthy snack. Weekly or part time options are available. For more information, visit our website, or call the YMCA at (517) 784-YMCA.

Attention Parents!
Does your child attend the Jackson YMCA Afterschool Program? If your child attends each week, you can have the payment drafted out of your account each week, saving you time. Ask any representative of our Member Services team at the front desk for more information.

Fall Sports Programs
Join us for a values oriented league for boys and girls to learn fundamentals, while emphasizing fun and fair play. The season includes a meet the team/skills clinic, one evening practice a week (determined by volunteer coaches) seven Saturday morning games and an end of the season celebration party. Choose from Flag Football, for ages 5-10 years, Cheerleading, ages 4-10 years, and Soccer, ages 3-6 years. Registration deadline is September 11th. Fees are $28.00 for Members and $48.00 for the Community.

Holiday Closings

The Jackson YMCA will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 and will be closed Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

The Jackson YMCA will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

We will close at 1:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and 7:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The YMCA will be closed on both Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Upcoming Events...

Mark these events on your calendar:

Charity Sporting Clay Shoot – Saturday September 19th, 8:00 a.m.

Oktoberfest Membership Kickoff – October 1st

Trunk-R-Treat – Saturday October 31st, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Partner with Youth Annual Pie and Craft Sale – Wednesday, Nov. 25th, 7:00 a.m.

Annual Turkey Trot – Thanksgiving Day, time TBA

Special Thanks

The Jackson YMCA would like to thank all of our staff, volunteers, and donors for their commitment to our programs and our facility; and for making possible for us to succeed in our mission. A very special thanks this month to YMCA staff member Bonnie Gretzner, for her smiles and creativity while working at the front desk, and her help with this newsletter. In addition, the YMCA would like to thank Peggy Calderone and COMTRONICS , for hosting our first outdoor group fitness class, Cliff Washburn and friends for their support of the Senior Open House in July, FASTENOL corporation, for the donation of parts to make repairs in our free weight room, and Jeff Secord , for his donation of a speed bag for the Wellness Center. Thank you everyone!

Jackson YMCA