Remembering Yesterday, Looking Toward Tomorrow - YMCA of the ...

Calling MeHOMEby Bryon HoernerEstes Park Center Museum DirectorMy first summer at the YMCA of the Rockies was in 2005.I worked as a wrangler at Jackson Stables, leading trailrides around the Y grounds and into Rocky MountainNational Park. We worked long days and we alwayssmelled a little like horses but it was great. I fell in lovewith the mountains that summer.When summer ended I returned to Kansas WesleyanUniversity in Salina, KS for my senior year. I graduatedwith my B.A. in History after completing an internship atthe Smoky Hill Museum in Salina.After a year of working as an electrician and living withmy dad, I decided that I needed a change. So I spent6 months planning an extended backpacking trip ofEurope. Before I left I came back to the Y to visit myfriends at the livery. As soon as I stepped out of the car Ifelt like I was home again and I knew that I had to comeback.When I returned from Europe in the fall of 2007 I mademy way back to Jackson Stables. I worked there foranother two seasons before becoming an “official” YMCAemployee by jumping to Outdoor Education. Since thenI’ve also worked in housekeeping, as well as coachedfootball at Estes Park High School, worked downtown,and most recently came back to the Y to workmaintenance.I was so excitedto get backto the Y andnow to bestepping intosuch a greatopportunity.My first fewweeks at themuseum havebeen fantastic.I’m amazed by theamount of information and artifacts that Jack and Luliehave acquired in the last 30 years. I couldn’t have askedfor a better situation to step into. Every day I get moreexcited about the possibilities moving forward and thechance to get to know the Y, and everyone who visits,even better.Welcome Bryon! We look forwardto making history with you!Our Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org

Welcome Sue Hunt to theAlumni Association Council!Sue worked in the housekeeping department atthe Estes Park Center during the summer of 1975.Although she anticipated she’d be working as aday camp instructor, Sue made many wonderfulfriendships and had a blast exploring Colorado andthe Rocky Mountains. Listening to Sue and herlong-lost roomie from 1975, Kathy Nolen-Martin,reminisce about their summer here was an absolutehoot!Alumni CouncilTo read more about Sue Hunt, co-council memberKathy Nolen-Martin and our other councilmembers, please find their bios on the AlumniAssociation website under “About” and “Officers,Members & Volunteers.”Sue HuntThe Legett Legac y GardenWe are pleased to announce the opening of the Legett Legacy Garden Columbarium, beautifully located atthe Estes Park Center. The Mission of the garden is to provide friends of YMCA of the Rockies a final restingplace in which to be consecrated and conserved in a spirit of dignity and reverence. In keeping with theY’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith, our vision is to provide and maintain asacred and beautiful environment in which family and friends may gather for remembrance and prayer.The Legett Legacy Garden is located just north of the Schlessman Executive Offices at Estes Park Centerwithin easy walking distance of the Legett Christian Center and Ponder Chapel. Once fully completed, theLegett Legacy Garden will provide 240 double/single niches in a tranquil setting designed forservices, meditation and reflection.For more information, please request a LegettLegacy Garden pamphlet. Please contact uswith your questions and inquires as we arehappy to help you and your family make thearrangements that you desire.Jill M. Anderson, CFREDirector of Developmentjanderson@ymcarockies.org1.800.777.9622 ext 6017Our Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org

A Culture for AllThe YMCA of the Rockies currently offers 3 programsfor international applicants that want to experienceAmerican culture, improve their English languageskills, and enjoy the YMCA of the Rockies experience.First, we offer a 12 month training program throughthe J1 visa. Participants of this program arrive asa class every spring and train in the areas of guestservices, food service, recreation and programoperations, human resources, information technology,arts and culture, and facilities management. Thesecond program and most popular is the J1 workand travel program. Students from all over the worldcome for 3 to 4 months to work in food service andhousekeeping and then are allowed 30 days after theirprogram ends to travel the U.S. Last, we have the J1camp counselor program available for both studentsand non-students who would like to come for 3 or 4months to work in our program areas of day camp, lifeguarding, and family programming.Currently in the summer of 2010, there are 31countries represented by the international staffassociation wide. We recently held our annualInternational Fair which is an event that allows theInternationaBy: Jacie Gdovicak, International Programs Directorinternational staff to share cultural informationthrough displays, dress, food, and music. InSeptember, therewill also be anInternational Dinnershowcasing theculinary treasuresof the countriesrepresented by ourstaff. Every season,the internationalstaff host an eventfor guests andstaff to enjoy. TheInternational Programis another way thatthe YMCA of theRockies carries out itsmission by being “forall.” Through guestand staff interactionwith our diverse staff,the program breaksbarriers and promotes peace.Our Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org

l CommunityYMCA: Gave me more than I expectedIt’s the first time for me to come to YMCA. Thesummer of 2009, I worked at Snow Mountain Ranchfor three months. It’s such a beautiful and peacefulplace. I just fell in love with SMR as soon as Igot there! During the whole summer, I wassurrounded by the joyful and peaceful air.This experience would never fade away inmy thought.Time turns to the summer of 2010. I come tothe other facility of YMCA, which is locatedat Estes Park. Lots of meaningful thingshappened here, I just want to talk about twothings:The International Fair is a really great idea!We have a lot of seasonal staff from differentcountries. You don’t need to travel aroundthe world to feel the different cultures or tomeet different races of people. At that day,I finally realized and saw by my own eyesthat there are so many other totally differentcountries that exist in this world. We workedmore than a week to prepare this fair andOur Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayBy: Zhang Chenwe felt so happy and satisfied about that. We wroteguests their Chinese names and I told them whattheir name means. I was happier than the guestswhen I saw the smiles on their faces.Chinese foods are popular here. We tried our bestto make some traditional Chinese food, people justlove it. A four-year-old girl named Kyra told me thechicken soup was the BEST she ever had! I believethat because four-year-old kids are just honest.The second thing I want to talk about that happenedto me. I work in the kitchen and hurt my wrist. Duringthe medical process, the food service department, HRoffice and the International Program Director, Jacie,gave me a big help. I felt like I was at home. They arejust so kind to all the international staff here. We alllove them and appreciate all the things they do forus!I have two more months here. I’m pretty sure after Ileave that I’m gonna miss here so much. It would beamazing if I had the chance to come back here withmore Chinese friends!ymcarockiesalumni.org

2010 Ruesch/Garris Scholarships have been awarded!This year there were 67 outstanding applicants for the Walter & Alice Ruesch and Eugene GarrisScholarship! That’s almost more than double the average number of applicants! I am happy toannounce the recipients of the 2010 Walter & Alice Ruesch and Eugene Garris Scholarship:Estes Park Center:Andrew BeckmanGrant CurtissSamantha NanNatasha PleshkovaJessica SmithFaida WilliamsSnow Mountain Ranch:Susan DatemaAmy KozlarekVictoria NelsonHeather Pagnozzi (Camp Chief Ouray staff)Hannah TurnerChildren of full time staff:(SMR & EPC)Eric MagnusonHannah HuelsingSheena CrowfootDevin LandkamerClaire UlricksonEach of the 2010 recipients were not only highly recommended by their supervisors, but each also hasoutstanding volunteer experiences and selfless plans for their futures. The Scholarship Committee isboth humbled and proud to have the opportunity to help our dedicated staff achieve their dreams.Many of our devoted Alumni Council members were busy making phone calls and talking to peopleabout donating to the Walter and Alice Ruesch & Eugene Garris Scholarship fund. With all of theirhard work we raised approximately $5,000! This amount is fantastic but we need you! If we aren’table to at least replace the money we award then eventually this fund will be depleted, making it sowe can no longer offer this amazing opportunity to our staff. Please consider making a tax deductiblecontribution to the Ruesch/Garris Scholarship fund. Donations enable more scholarships to beawarded to deserving staff which in turn helps make someone’s dream a reality.Thank you Alumni Council members for your dedication and thank you to those of you who made adonation to the Ruesch/Garris Scholarship fund this year! Your gifts havebeen warmly received and deeply appreciated by each of therecipients.If you’d like to donateto the Walter and AliceRuesch & Eugene GarrisScholarship Fund, please sendcontributions to:Alison OstmanAlumni Association CoordinatorYMCA of the Rockies2515 Tunnel RoadEstes Park, CO 80511Our Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org

alumni membershipYES, I want to join the Y Alumni Association.Alumni? Please join our Association! Tell us where you worked and the stories you have, stayupdated on what is going on now and learn how we are preserving the Y for future generations!1 year - $25 3 years - $65 Lifetime - $250Ruesch/Garris ScholarshipYES, I want to support YMCA staff and their families in their educational pursuits.Levels of GivingTotal Amount EnclosedCaring$1,500 and upHonesty $800-$1,499Respect $550-$799Responsibility $100-$549Faith $50-$99Giving $VisaDiscoverCredit Card NumberNameAddressMaster CardAmerican ExpressExp. DateAre you a YMCA of the Rockies alumni?City State ZipCenter EmployedSignature (required for credit card)DepartmentDatesName(Maiden)My check is enclosed(made out to YMCA of the Rockies)Please send checks to:AddressCity State ZipPhone NumberEmail AddressYMCA of the RockiesPO Box 20800Estes Park, CO 805111-800-777-9622Join/Donate online atymcarockiesalumni.org

Core Development &Capital Campaign Updates8 bedroom Family Reunion CabinStaff Dining RoomIf you haven’t made it back to the YMCA of theRockies lately, I suggest you start planning your nextvacation! Many exciting changes have taken place onthe grounds of both the Estes Park Center and SnowMountain Ranch.Early this summer was the dedication and celebrationof the Core Development Project at EPC. Thisproject included updating the exterior of the RueschAuditorium, renovating the Aspen dining room, addinga 1,300 seat Assembly Hall, a new staff dining room,building two additional Family Reunion cabins, and lastbut not least, building three new guest lodges, whichhave all received Gold LEED Certifications as highperformancegreen buildings!Assembly HallRuesch Auditorium RenovationOur Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org

Legett Christian CenterBUILDINGto theVISIONNot only was the Core Development Projecttaking place, but we’re also in our “Buildingto the Vision” Capital Campaign! A sampleof completed Estes Park Center projects arepictured here. At Snow Mountain Ranch, wehave completed new tennis courts, yurts, trailenhancements and more!If you’re interested in learning more aboutcoming attractions with our “Building to theVision” Capital Campaign or making a donation,please contact our Director of FinancialDevelopment, Jill Anderson, CFRE.1-800-777-9622 ext 6017janderson@ymcarockies.orgMootz Arts & Crafts BuildingEntrance SignOutdoor fireplaceOur Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org

Staff Summer ActivitiesThe Resident Assistant’s office provides a full calendarof activities throughout the summer for current staff.In addition to the on grounds activities offered, stafftrips are provided to Denver and the surrounding area.These trips include visits to the Denver Art Museum andScience Museum, the Denver Mint, Colorado Rockiesbaseball games, Denver Nuggets basketball games,as well as trips to various rodeos, county fairs, dinnertheaters, amusement and water parks and popularshopping destinations. Some popular trips this summerwere a white water rafting trip, a Tim McGraw and LadyAntebellum concert and a show at a drive-in movietheater.Other activities this summer were plannedby the Staff Coordinator in conjunction withthe Alumni Association. The goal of theseevents was to bring staff (full-time, seasonal,volunteer, and Alumni) together in one placefor camaraderie, to make memories, and tohopefully begin an annual tradition. Wewanted to have various large group activitieswhich staff can look forward to and plan forthroughout their summers here at the Y.Another hope is that these events will keepAlumni coming back, either for work or play!Our Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Faith are in action everydayymcarockiesalumni.org