MICHIANA NEWS

Hoosier-Buell Chapter

Michigan/Indiana

Hello Craig,

Hoosier-Buell Fall Gathering is all set for Wednesday, September 4 and 5 at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana. The park is 45-60 minutes north of Fort Wayne, IN, or 60 minutes south of Battle Creek, MI. The event starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Please make your own reservation for one night at The Potawatomi Inn by calling 260-833-1077. Room rates range from $89.99 to $139.99. Remember to mention you are with YMCA Alumni to receive a complimentary breakfast.

Our Guest Speaker is Norris D. Lineweaver, (left photo), Director General (Retired), Jerusalem International YMCA, member of Weatherford Chapter, YMCA Alumni recently relocated to Asheville, NC from Indianapolis, IN. Norris is a former member of our chapter.

Norris will present “A Fusion of Friends—Possibilities for Peace," which will examine the current role of the Jerusalem International YMCA at the intersection of conflict in the Middle East.

Norris will be joined in his presentation by Jerusalem YMCA CEO Fadi Suidan.(right photo).

The presentation will be virtual via Zoom, with an opportunity for open discussion during Q&A.

Click to join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82183814985?pwd=dMLV6yhZ5TaUOReqGeBydkG51t05iW.1

Meeting ID: 821 8381 4985

Passcode: 302623

Here's the schedule:

Wednesday

1 p.m. Registration and welcome.

1:30 p.m. Lounge area: Opening prayer, introductions, schedule review, ice breakers.

2 p.m. Aimee Wentworth, Park Naturalist, will present a special program about insights on the impact of glaciers in Michigan and Indiana.

3:30 p.m. Norris Lineweaver: “A Fusion of Friends—Possibilities for Peace." This is a Zoom presentation in the Potawatomi Inn Conference Room. 

5 p.m. Clay’s Restaurant—Homestyle Cooking at its very best. Outstanding pie desserts. Purchase your own meal.

8 p.m. Fun and Games—play your card games, table games, fellowship, and bring your own drinks.

Thursday

9 a.m. Breakfast in the Inn, free for every member who pre-registers for the gathering by August 21.

10 a.m. Annual meeting and reports of membership, budget, by-laws, EAF, ISC, World Service and plans for 2024-25. Plus, our National Service Project in Dupree, SD, and the YMCA Alumni Reunion at Sea.

11 a.m. Alumni Member Sharing My Most Memorable Vacation. 3-5 minutes of sharing highlights of your favorite trip/event.

12 p.m. Closing for a safe trip home. Or, extend your stay at Shipshewana—only 45 minutes west of the park. Take in an entertaining show at the Blue Gate Theater and the Performing Arts Center.

NOTE: please e-mail Dan Sager with you our intentions to attend our meeting. This will help our planing and your free breakfast.

We'll go "Up, up, and Away!" at the Chambers Chapter Fall Reunion, September 25-27, 2024. A detailed schedule, hotel information, and more about the $95 per person registration fee will soon follow this announcement, but we wanted to make sure you had a chance to lock in these important dates. 

Hoosier-Buell Chapter members are invited to join our neighbor chapter for their fall event.

Whether you plan on attending the entire event or just come for a very packed agenda on Thursday, there will be something for everyone. Wednesday, September 25 will allow for some optional great golfing. Thursday will include a trip and tour in the morning at the beautiful Carillon Historical Park, with over 30 historical buildings to visit. 

That's followed by another incredible tour opportunity that same afternoon at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, which includes the world's largest collection of military planes. Both these sites are fully handicap accessible and include wheelchairs and golf carts (Carillon Park) should you have any difficulties getting around.  

The day will be capped off with a delicious dinner followed by our business meeting. On Friday, if you choose to stay, you will have over 20 additional fun-filled options, including canoeing or kayaking down the Great Miami River and visiting the Neil Armstrong Museum.  

We hope you’ll plan on meeting us in historic Dayton this September. Hoosier-Buell members can get questions answered by emailing Ed Thomas at ethomas5175@gmail.com and letting him know they might be interested in attending.

We have two dates scheduled for informal luncheons to allow you to meet or get reacquainted with Y Retirees in your area. There is no agenda other than a good meal and good fellowship.

The first luncheon is this Friday, August 2, at 11:30 a.m. at the Speedway MCL Restaurant on the west side of Indianapolis, at 6002 Crawfordsville Rd., near I-465 and Crawfordsville Road.

The second is Friday, August 9 at 11:30 a.m. at Denny’s, 4785 Buckley Rd., just off I-95 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Reservations are NOT required, but knowing who will be attending would be extremely helpful. If you plan to attend, let Terry Jones know via email or text to 765-610-5521.

If these locations are too far away and you would like to attend a closer one, let Terry know.

There is currently space available on YMCA Alumni adventures for 2025. Consider joining us on a memorable cruise to Norway's Land of the Midnight Sun June 17-July 3, 2025 and celebrate the summer solstice aboard the Emerald Princess. Or, tour the majestic Canadian Rockies via luxury motor coach Sept. 14-25.

The final Port Stop on our YMCA Alumni Reunion-at-Sea is in Cozumel, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, one of the most visited and exciting cruise ports in the world. Click the arrow on the video link above for a preview. This incredible port area includes beautiful beaches, terrific shopping and dining, and, if you're up for a full-day adventure, an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, recently named one of the world's seven wonders.

We'll cruise on Royal Caribbean's iconic Harmony of the Seas, departing and returning to Galveston, TX. Note that stateroom pricing for the reunion is at least $100 less for the cruise than if purchased directly on the Royal Caribbean website.