PROGRAM NEWSLETTERS

Please take a look at the information in our current and past
"Program Newsletters"

November 2008

8^th Annual Turkey Trot
1K youth run, 2K family walk, 5K run
Join us and take a load off before you load up!!!

MEMBERSHIP
It’s time to give thanks for your health! The membership joiner fee will be ½ off for the month of November for anyone bringing in a canned good for the Portage Food Pantry. Keep your eyes open for our winter break membership that begins December 1^st. Memberships will be $1 per day and must be purchased in 1 week increments (minimum 2 weeks, maximum 4 weeks). This offer is available to new members (ages 14+). Give the gift of health this year!

GYMNASTICS
The team will be hosting the Turkey Tumble meet at PHS East on Sunday, November 16^th. There will be 8 teams from NW IN in attendance. Good luck to both level 3 & level 4 gymnasts! We would like to welcome Jessica Darby and Danielle Petro to our level 3 team! Both girls participated on our middle school team, which went undefeated at all their dual meets!!!! We would also like to welcome Kelly Rocha as an instructor in our Scooters program! For more information on gymnastics contact Janet at 219-762-9622 or go to www.ymcaofportage.org

FITNESS
"NEW, NEW, NEW": Spinning bikes are here and classes will begin soon, so keep watch for more details!!! The next body fat analysis is Friday, November 21^st. Sign up beginning November 17^th at the cardio desk.

Linda’s Fitness Tip of the Month
A good cold one after a hard workout. The worst replacement drinks for exercisers are those with caffeine and alcohol, which have a dehydrating effect. Carbonated drinks are also poor choices because they make you feel full, making it less likely you will drink enough to replenish lost fluids. Water and diluted sports drinks are the best replacement fluids for exercisers. For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

CHILD CARE
We would like to welcome Vanessa Millan, a new teacher in the transition room. During the month of November, our 2 year olds will be working on transportation, pets and learning all about harvesting. Our transition room and our 3 year old room will be learning about numbers and the harvesting season. The students have also been doing very well spelling and writing their first names. The 4/5 year old room has finished up numbers and moved on to the alphabet. Our students are really excelling with sign language while they are learning letters, too! Stop by and see all of the new words we are adding to our word wall! If you have questions about the Center or would like to reserve your spot today, please call 762-9622 or           brandi@ymcaofportage.org.

PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
Our Preschool students are busy learning about numbers and number concepts. They are also exploring the changing season, talking about Thanksgiving and finishing out the month with a corn feast celebration! During the corn feast, the classes will get to taste many items made from corn, while learning about Pilgrims and Indians sharing Thanksgiving together. During October, the Preschool Academy conducted an AVON fundraiser. With amazing efforts from many families, friends and staff, the Preschool Academy raised enough money to purchase many items they need for the classrooms including cirle time rugs, a class table, book shelf and learning materials. Thank you for all of your support! Watch for the Preschool Academy WOW Day this month when the staff will be making muffins to nourish you! Contact Cathi at cathi@ymcaofportage.org if you have any questions!

JOY
The next JOY luncheon will be on Friday, November 21^st at 11:30 a.m. Please join us for a Thanksgiving feast and celebration. The cost is $5 and you can pre-register by stopping at the Welcome Center or contact Kasi Back at kasi@ymcaofportage.org for more information.

SCHOOL-AGE
This month’s service-learning and diversity lesson will focus on Veteran’s/Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving. Through a fundraiser held at the end of the summer, the Y-Care program purchased a Wii, which is traveling to each site as an incentive prize for good behavior, so have fun with it! Stop by the Portage Township library from November 17-21 to vote on the core value coloring sheets designed by our K & Y-Care students! They are working hard to promote the YMCA core values to the community! Y-Care is happy to welcome the Family & Youth Services Bureau weekly to their sites for new programming. Keep your eyes open for more on this new partnership! Good luck to all of the Y-Care kids practicing for their Inter-Y Games to be held over Winter break at the YMCA! For more info contact the Youth Services Coordinator, Amber Morris at amber@ymcaofportage.org.

SHOUT OUT
Richelle, one of our amazing Fun Zone staff, would like to thank all of the Fun Zone parents who donated and helped with the Halloween party for the kids!!! We would like to welcome Katie to the Fun Zone team! Katie loves working with kids and will be a great addition to the YMCA team!

PORTER NEWS
Porter’s Healthy Woman program is celebrating its 1 year anniversary. Please join us as we welcome nationally recognized humorist Bobbie White to be a part of the festivities. In this insightful program, "My Life’s out of Balance...and It’s Worse than my Checkbook!", Bobbie White will talk about many techniques including how to find more balance in your personal and professional lives using humor and laughter. Join Porter on November 13^th at 4:30 p.m. at the Duneland Falls Banquet Center in Portage for this unique opportunity!

MASSAGE
November special - Book a one hour massage in November with Kay Mauser for just $40 (limit one special per member, no gift certificates and deep tissue excluded). Give yourself or someone else the gift of relaxation this month!

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Jayne Griffith for 19 years of service and Adam Gurevitz for 5 years of service to the YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!!

Big T.O.E. Award

(Thanking Our Employees) "Because every great achievement starts with the first step"

Employee name: _____________________________________________

Reason for recognition:__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations October Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Kasi Back, Richelle Bolinger, Cassie Cayetano, Caitlyn Francis, Michelle Gregory,
Adam Gurevitz, Linda Mendez, Kathy Payne, Cathi Srednoselac, Cherina Torbert
and Judy Wilson

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

October 2008

11^th ANNUAL FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY - Friday, October 17^th 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join us for costume judging contests, pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, games, food, treat bags and a SPOOKY good time!!

AQUATICS
Beginning in November, the YMCA pool hours of operation at Portage High School West will change to 6:00 - 8:45 p.m. Swim lessons, open swim and lap swim will be available during this time. Aquasize will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. For more information on Aquatics or progressive swim lessons, please contact Chad Franks at chad@ymcaofportage.org

SPORTS
Registrations are still being accepted for youth basketball and cheerleading, which begins on Monday, October 27^th. The programs run from October 27-December 13^th. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Co-ed volleyball begins on Wednesday, October 22^nd. Sign up at the Welcome Center or for more details contact our Sports Director, Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

MEMBERSHIP
Fall into health!!! Join the YMCA today and experience all of the programs, events and services that are helping to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities every day! The YMCA is open Monday-Friday from 4 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. for your convenience. Become a member of the Portage Township YMCA and visit other regional YMCA’s for no charge with the AWAY program. Don’t miss out on being a part of our YMCA family today! You will be glad you joined!

GYMNASTICS"
Congratulations to the following gymnasts who moved from the beginner level to the intermediate level: Amber Hamilton, Chyna Hawkins, Allison Jeffers, Erika Kondratavicius and Mia Stansil. Thank you to all the gymnasts and their families who attended the Grand Opening! You all gave an impressive performance! Our team girls start competing this month with their first meet October 11^th followed by a meet on October 25^th. Good luck girls!!! The middle school team is doing a great job!! With three meets behind them they are still undefeated!! Two meets remain in the middle school season. Go Portage! For more information on all of the classes contact Janet at 219-762-9622 or go to www.ymcaofportage.org

FITNESS
ZUMBA, ZUMBA, ZUMBA!!! By great demand, we have now added a ZUMBA class to the Saturday aerobic schedule at 10:15 a.m. Stop by our cardio room desk and place your bid...for what you ask? Win a fitness prize when you correctly guess how many candy corn are in the jar!!!

Linda’s Fitness Tip of the Month: SLOW DOWN. The faster you eat, the more you eat. The human brain requires 20 minutes to register satiety, so the slower you eat, the less food you require to feel full. Fill up on low-fat foods first in order to keep your level of fat and caloric consumption down. For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

CHILD CARE
The new transition room opened on September 29^th! This room is for children who are 3 years old and not yet completely potty trained. The 3 year old Preschool curriculum is used in this room as the children continue to work on potty training. We would like to welcome the following new employees to the Center: Elyse Goff and Christina Godbey in the transition room and Jennifer Tellez in the 4/5 year old room. We are looking forward to fun activities this Fall, so stop by for a tour! If you have questions about the Center or would like to reserve your spot today, please call 762-9622.mailto:louise@ymcaofportage.org.

PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
Students will finish up colors and shapes along with their Halloween activities this month. The students are very excited to begin something new and not normally offered in Preschool...gym classes with Coach Ryan, the YMCA Sports Director! Classes will be taking to the road for their first field trip to Coulters in Westville. At Coulters, the students will take a ride on a hay wagon as they pick out a pumpkin from the field. The month will finish with Halloween class parties, so keep a watch out for the little ghosts and goblins! Sign up now for our popular Preschool ABC Arts & Crafts class, which allows participants to make a fun craft related to a new letter each day. Contact Cathi at cathi@ymcaofportage.org if you have any questions!

JOY
Please help the YMCA welcome Kasi Back into her new position as the JOY Coordinator!!! Kasi is very excited about new activities and events with JOY!!! You can join the JOY walking club for $5 and you will receive a t-shirt upon completion of the program. The program will run from November 1-December 31^st and members will keep track of their miles walked. You can earn extra miles by bringing a friend, referring a friend as a YMCA member and more! Registration begins Monday, October 13^th at the Welcome Center. The top 3 participants with the most miles will win prizes! Stop by the Welcome Center or contact Kasi Back at kasi@ymcaofportage.org for more information.

SCHOOL-AGE
Y-Care students have done the following amazing things last month to demonstrate community service, service-learning and diversity & multicultural education: Card exchange with the residents at Miller’s Senior Living Center (the students will meet their friends in December when they go caroling at Miller’s); Students participated in a lesson on Rosh Hashanah learning about the difference between the American and Jewish calendars and new year’s traditions. One of the Y-Care sites is sending care packages to children at the Children’s Memorial Hospital and doing a project for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. For more info contact the Youth Services Coordinator, Amber Morris at amber@ymcaofportage.org.

SHOUT OUT
Thank you to all of the volunteers of the YMCA ribbon cutting and open house!! Your efforts helped those events be successful! Congratulations to the winners of the basket drawings: Aleksandra Ramon, Avery Klimek, Selena Sanchez and Riley Morris!!

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to CAROL CHAVEZ for 6 years of service to the YMCA this month! Carol began with the YMCA in 1996 and worked for 5 years before leaving and returning in 2002. Thank you for all that you do!!

Big T.O.E. Award (Thanking Our Employees)
"Because every great achievement starts with the first step"

Employee name: ____________________

Reason for recognition:____________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Congratulations September Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Kasi Back, Richelle Bolinger, Lisa Casimer,
CCDC staff, Michelle Gregory, Adam Gurevitz,
Linda Mendez, Lisa Peete and Judy Wilson

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. - Ecclesiastes 5:5

September 2008

RIBBON CUTTING: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25^th 5:15 PM
Refreshments will be served from 5-7 p.m.

GRAND OPENING: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27^th 10-1 PM

Come celebrate with us!!!
Fun, tours, food, demonstrations, games, giveaways and more!

SPORTS
Youth basketball and cheerleading are back! Registration begins September 15^th and leagues begin on October 27^th. Adult 6 on 6 co-ed volleyball registration begins on September 15^th with games beginning October 22^nd. Home school PE is being held on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. and you can sign up monthly. Stay tuned for information on our October sport: flag football! Sign up at the Welcome Center or for more details contact our Sports Director, Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

GYMNASTICS
Fall gymnastics has begun from our scooters Preschool program, beginner and intermediate to our team girls. Stop by the Grand Opening on September 27^th to see special demonstrations from all of our gymnastics programs. The team girls will be performing a dance/tumble routine between 11-12 noon in the multi purpose room. Stop by to cheer them on! The middle school gymnasts have their first meet in Merrillville on September 18^th followed by a meet in Crown Point on September 29^th. We are excited to have 25 Portage girls competing! Good luck to all of the gymnasts this season! For more information on all of the classes contact Janet at 219-762-9622 or go to www.ymcaofportage.org

FITNESS
IT’S BACK!!! A new session of "12 WEEK CHISEL" will begin on September 29^th. Sign up for your introductory appointment now to keep the winter pounds off!

ZUMBA is here! Don’t be left out of this exciting class! Classes are held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 10 a.m. Be sure to pick up a new fall schedule at the Welcome Center so you don’t miss out on all of the new classes!! AMERICA ON THE MOVE Week is coming September 22^nd - 27^th. Stop by the cardio desk for information on how you can be involved and win healthy prizes!

Linda’s Fitness Tip of the Month: Calcium does a body good! Seventy-five percent of Americans don’t get enough calcium, which puts them at risk for osteoporosis and colon cancer. To consume a sufficient amount of calcium, try eating two to four servings of calcium-rich foods every day. Low-fat dairy products like kale, collard & turnip greens and broccoli are excellent sources of calcium. For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator at linda@ymcaofportage.org.

CHILD CARE
The children in the Center are beginning their school year curriculum. The two year old class will be working on forms of transportation, beginning with wheels. The children in the three year old class will be working on colors, while the four/five year old class will be reviewing their colors and working on shapes. The children in both the three and four/five year old classes are working on recognizing and writing their first names. We are excited to welcome many new faces to our classrooms and we look forward to a great year with them! The new transition room will be opening September 29^th, but space is limited, so reserve your spot today! The Center would also like to congratulate BRANDI HOSKINS on her recent promotion to Assistant Child Care Director! Brandi has been with us since the day the Center opened and she will be a valuable asset in her new position. Congratulations!! If you have questions about the Center or would like to reserve your spot today, please contact Louise Pash at 762-9622 or louise@ymcaofportage.org.

PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
Our Preschool Academy has opened their doors to over 130 smiling faces eager to learn and explore what is ahead for them this school year! Everyone is settling into their brand new classrooms as they start the year learning colors and shapes. Watch for our Preschool Academy Community bulletin board for information on other activities for children at the YMCA, Preschool Academy news, birthdays and community information. Stop by our Academy rooms during the Grand Opening to play a game or make a fun edible snack! Space in the Academy is limited, so stop by the Welcome Center or contact Cathi at cathi@ymcaofportage.org today!

TEENS
There are new, exciting programs coming for teens: Safe Sitters, Just for Girls, Teen Leaders and Youth & Government are all starting in the Fall. Stop by the Welcome Center or contact Christy Renn at christy@ymcaofportage.org for more information.

SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE
Y-CARE is excited to be adding community service, service-learning and diversity & multi-cultural education to its program this school year! Students have already had their first lesson in service-learning as they discussed and defined what it means to spend, save and donate money. They also addressed the spirit of volunteerism. Their first lesson in diversity & multi-cultural education was a group discussion about the First of Ramadan, Islamic culture, religious tolerance and freedom to practice your individual beliefs. Y-CARE is very excited about their new SCHOOL TO POOL program taking place every Friday in September and October! Y-CARE students will be bussed to Portage High School West pool for open swim from 4-6 p.m. Friends are welcome, with written parent permission, for a small fee of $3. Y-CARE kids will be having a week-long donation drive for the victims of the recent and upcoming hurricanes in the U.S. They will be collecting paper products, canned goods, toiletry items and baby needs. Keep your eyes open for more information. There is an incentive reading program at Myers Y-CARE that has been created and regulated by two of the older students in Y-CARE. Great job!! Incentive prizes are being awarded and student-initiated programs are being encouraged! The K-CARE kindergartners are looking forward to taking an Autumn Discovery Tour in the third week of September to collect some sticks and leaves for leaf rubbing and other cool Fall projects as they discuss how nature changes during the Fall. For more information contact the Youth Services Coordinator, Amber Morris at amber@ymcaofportage.org.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES: Congratulations to Sandy Gillis and Maureen Ortiz for 5 years of service and Lisa Peete for 10 years of service to the YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!!

Big T.O.E. Award (Thanking Our Employees)

"Because every great achievement starts with the first step"

Employee name: ____________________

Reason for recognition:_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________

August Big T.O.E. Award winners

Kasi Back, Lisa Casimer, Cassie Cayetano, Carol Chavez, CCDC staff, Jack Fortenberry,
Michelle Gregory, Kathy Helmecy, Marilyn Lindner, Linda Mendez, Lindsey Miller,
Lisa Peete and Judy Wilson

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Colossians 3:12

August 2008

FALL PROGRAMS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 2^nd!!!
See the Welcome Center for a Fall program newsletter with details of all our new programs including: art classes, Preschool Academy specialty classes, Zumba, outdoor soccer and flag football, teeter totter tots and new teen programs. Come grow with us mentally, physically and spiritually!!!

SPORTS
Fall programs are coming!!!! Youth outdoor soccer begins September 8^th for ages 3-7, youth flag football begins September 8^th for ages 5-11 (the cost for youth sports is $25 for Primary Plus members, $33 for Primary and $66 for others). Adult 7 on 7 flag football begins September 6^th and the cost is $225 per team. TOSS IN THE TOWEL cornhole tournament will be on Friday, August 22^nd at 7 p.m. and the cost is $10 per team. Home School PE will begin in September and will be held on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Sign up at the Welcome Center or for more details contact our Sports Director, Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

GYMNASTICS
The team has welcomed many new faces joining our current gymnasts! On July 30^th, the gymnastics department hosted a successful car wash/cook out/bake sale to raise money for new equipment. A HUGE thank you goes out to everyone who participated, donated baked goods and supported the event! Fall evening classes will begin on September 2^nd. Classes are available for ages 18 months to high school age. Middle School Team call outs are on August 21^st from 5-6:30 p.m. at PHS East (door O). For more information on all of the classes contact Janet at 219-762-9622 or go to www.ymcaofportage.org

FITNESS
Check it out!!! New classes have been added to the Fall schedule including: ZUMBA, ZUMBA, ZUMBA!! Join the party in September!!! Join the millions of people that have decided that having fun and working out are not mutually exclusive! Be one of those exercisers that would rather have a blast than be bored while working up a sweat! See the Welcome Center for schedule details.

Linda’s Fitness Tip of the Month
Exercise spells relief for arthritis sufferers. Individuals suffering from osteoarthritis can benefit from three general types of exercise: aerobic exercise which improves cardiorespiratory function and thus overall physical working capacity; resistance exercises which strengthen the muscles that support the affected joins; and flexibility exercises which stretch muscles and improve joint mobility. For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

MEMBERSHIP
Summer special members: Don’t leave us now!!! Renew your membership on a more permanent basis with the YMCA and we will provide a 50% savings on the joiner fee! Don’t miss out, this opportunity ends September 30^th! Membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant.

AQUATICS
The Aquatics department would like to welcome their new Aquatics Coordinator, Chad Franks! Chad holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Purdue University. Chad is a PHS graduate where he was a varsity swimmer for 4 years. He is currently a 6^th grade teacher at Elston Middle School in Michigan City and he is the former Aquatics Coordinator at the Duneland Family YMCA. If you are at the pool, please join us in welcoming Chad!! A new happening: open swim and lap swim are available from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Friday in August. Swim lessons will resume in September.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Let us bring you JOY (Just Older Youth)! Join us the 1^st Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a JOY luncheon and meeting where we celebrate the Just Older Youth at our YMCA! The next luncheon is on Friday, September 5^th. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is another JOY activity which is held the 3^rd Tuesday of each month from 8-11 a.m. Come, sit back, relax have a made-to-order breakfast with us! Breakfast at Tiffany’s also provides free blood pressure checks, courtesy of Miller’s Merry Manor. There will not be a breakfast in August. Please see the Welcome Center to sign up for any of these programs.

TEENS
There are new, exciting programs coming for teens: Safe Sitters, Just for Girls, Teen Leaders and Youth & Government are all starting in the Fall. Stop by the Welcome Center or contact Christy Renn at christy@ymcaofportage.org for more information.

CHILD CARE
The children in the Center are currently working on the topic of the Olympics by learning about the events, the history and making crafts to emphasize teamwork. The Center is excited to be starting a new school year!! The school year curriculum will begin on September 2^nd as we say goodbye to 20 children who will be starting their Kindergarten careers. The Center will be opening a new transition room on September 2^nd for 3 year old children who are not completely potty trained. The traditional 3 year old Preschool curriculum will be introduced in this room so the children can easily transition into the much larger 3 year old classroom when they are ready. If you have questions about the Center or would like to reserve your spot today, please contact Louise Pash at 762-9622 or louise@ymcaofportage.org.

PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
The Preschool Academy is proud to announce their new Coordinator: Cathi Srednoselac!! Cathi has been with the YMCA for more than 23 years serving in the gymnastics department as the department head and head coach and serving in the Preschool Academy as a teacher to the 3 year olds. Cathi is active on several committees and task forces focusing on growth and development in the YMCA. The Academy is proud to have her serve as their leader and looks forward to the start of the school year on September 2^nd. Space in the Academies is limited, so stop by the Welcome Center or contact Cathi at cathi@ymcaofportage.org today!

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to the Trisha Goetschel for 6 years of service and Janet Grant for 27 years of service to the YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!!

Big T.O.E. Award (Thanking Our Employees)

"Because every great achievement starts with the first step"

Employee name: ______________________________________________________

Reason for recognition:________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

July Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Richelle Bolinger, Bernadette Burrell, Christy Cantrell, Michelle Doan, Jack Fortenberry, Jamie Gore, Michelle Gottschlich, Michelle Gregory, Adam Gurevitz, Marilyn Lindner, Maureen Ortiz, Lisa Peete, Ryan Penrod, Cathi Srednoselac and Kresha Tabor

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Ephesians 4:1

July 2008

Brand new Fun Zone now open!!!

Accepting children beginning age 3 months (reservation required for infants). If you are interested in donating any of the following items (new or gently used) to the department, please see Adam Gurevitz: DVD player, DVD children’s movies, Playdoh, paint supplies, coloring books, window clings, craft table, Barbies, baby dolls, play food, balls, baby swing, play yard, excer-saucer, bouncy seat, gaming console (Xbox, Wii, Playstation) and games. Thank you in advance for your support!

SPORTS
Don’t miss out on a new session! Fall sports registration begins Monday, July 14^th. Fall sports include flag football for ages 5-7 and outdoor soccer for ages 3-7. The cost for all Fall sports is $25 for Primary Plus members, $33 for Primary members and $66 for others. Sign up at the Welcome Center or for more details contact our Sports Director, Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

GYMNASTICS
Summer gymnastics is in full swing! The gymnasts have enjoyed welcoming back friends and meeting new friends! All beginner, intermediate and team classes meet at the high school. The gymnasts are working on learning new skills, perfecting skills and increasing their strength. Everyone has been achieving stars on their "value certificates", which is a great demonstration of how well they understand the YMCA’s core values. Stop by the YMCA on July 30^th when the gymnastics department is holding a Car Wash/Bake Sale/Cook out from 9:30 - 12 noon. Let one of our gymnasts wash your car or come treat yourself to a goodie made by our gymnastics families! The second summer session for gymnastics begins on Tuesday, July 22^nd. Stop by the YMCA to sign up today! For information on classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link at www.ymcaofportage.org.

FITNESS
More benefits of membership: FREE body fat testing the 3^rd Friday of each month. Sign up at the cardio desk. The next FREE testing is on July 18^th from 9-1 p.m. TRAIL KIDS has started! Come in and get your workout done while your child hits the trails and works up a sweat on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Do you enjoy running outdoors? Are you looking for a "team" to run with or are you thinking about getting started running? Join our NEW "Y-Run" class! Classes are held Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. Register at the Welcome Center today and get moving!

ATTENTION ALL WEIGHT LIFTERS
Please be kind and remember to return your weights to their proper place after you are finished using them. Keep your eyes open next month for all of the new fitness classes coming in the Fall!

Linda’s Fitness Tip of the Month
Change your exercise program often: nothing works forever! If you stick with the same routine month after month, your body will adapt to it and anticipate that workout, no matter how intense it might be. Result? Your body will stop growing, changing and evolving! Change your training program every 4-8 weeks. We have certified personal trainers on staff to help with your fitness needs! For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

MEMBERSHIP
July 31^st is your last chance to purchase a SUMMER SPECIAL membership! Only $1.00 per day! All summer special memberships end August 31^st. Get fit with the YMCA this summer! Don’t forget, all Primary Plus members will be offered a 30% savings on all programs (with the exception of Preschool and the Child Care & Development Center which are a 10% savings) as part of our Primary Plus Advantage program. Don’t miss out on the benefits of membership at the YMCA! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant in the membership department.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Let us bring you JOY (Just Older Youth)! Join us the 1^st Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a JOY luncheon and meeting where we celebrate the Just Older Youth at our YMCA! The next luncheon is on Friday, August 1^st. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is another JOY activity which is held the 3^rd Tuesday of each month from 8-11 a.m. Come, sit back, relax have a made-to-order breakfast with us! Breakfast at Tiffany’s also provides free blood pressure checks, courtesy of Miller’s Merry Manor. The next breakfast is on Tuesday, July 15^th. Please see the Welcome Center to sign up for any of these programs.

TEENS
CALLING ALL TEENS ENTERING 5^TH - 8^TH GRADE!!! There will be a teen lock-in on Friday, July 18^th from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. Dinner and breakfast will be provided and all teens must bring a sleeping bag and pillow. The cost is only $10 for members and $20 for others. Don’t miss out on this exciting over-night opportunity at the YMCA!!

CHILD CARE
The students in the Child Care and Development Center are working with their summer curriculum. They had teddy-bear day where the 4/5 year olds worked on lesson plans dealing with teddy bears and at the end of the day, each child received their very own teddy bear to take home! A new transitional room will be opening in the Center for three year old children who are not completely potty trained. The classroom will serve 10 children and give them the opportunity to smoothly transition to the three year old Preschool curriculum. The Center is currently conducting a needs assessment to see how they can better serve the after hours and weekend child care needs of the community. If you need child care before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or on the weekends, please contact Louise Pash at 762-9622 or louise@ymcaofportage.org.

DAY CAMP
The Day Campers are having fun as they end their 5^th week of camp! They are all busy preparing for the Day Camp Olympics being held on Thursday, July 17^th where they will get a chance to participate in friendly competition against the other YMCA Day Campers in NW Indiana!!! This is the 18^th year for this exciting event!!! There is still time to sign up for Day Camp! Be a part of making memories and life-long friends with the YMCA this summer! Sign up at the YMCA or contact Youth Services Coordinator, Janice Krebs at 762-9622 or jan@ymcaofportage.org.

Stop by the Welcome Center today and pick up a BENEFACTORS tri-fold that lists all of the businesses that offer Portage Township YMCA members great savings on services and purchases!

Big T.O.E. Award

(Thanking Our Employees)
"Because every great achievement starts with the first step"

Employee name: ____________________

Reason for recognition:___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

June Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Rosie Acosta, Cassie Cayatano, Michelle Doan, Janet Grant,
Nancy Joy Alumbaugh, Kathy Payne, Lisa Peete, Kevin Wells and Dominique Wilson

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

June 2008

How we will keep our promise to you in 2008

We will continue to keep our mission in the forefront of all we do; continue to provide quality programs and member services; continue to improve customer relations and service; continue membership and program growth based off of measurable objectives; base all programs on values and principles; staff will focus on long term vision for the association; continue strong board development; research, develop and implement programs and services that respond to our communities most dire needs; continue to position the YMCA as the community's leading charitable organization.

SPORTS
Summer basketball camp begins June 16th for kids ages 4-14! Ages 4-7 meet daily for one week from 9-10:30 a.m. and ages 8-14 meet daily from 11 - 12:30 p.m. The British are coming! Don' t miss out on the outdoor summer soccer camp instructed by professional soccer players from England being held June 23 - 27th at Imagination Glen. Summer Recess at the Y meets MWF from July 7th - August 1st. Kids will get to play basketball, dodgeball, kickball, volleyball and soccer. Ages 4-8 meet from 9-10:30 a.m. and ages 9-14 meet from 11-12:30 p.m. Sign up at the Welcome Center or for more details contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org.

GYMNASTICS
The gymnastics team competed at the NW Indiana YMCA State Meet on May 18th. The level 3 team took 4th in their division. Kaylee Huddleston is the 4th place champ and Jamie Valadez is the 5th place champ in the level 3 age group. The level 4 team brought home the 3rd place trophy with a team score of 107.25. Bella Camacho is the 1st place champ with Hilary Zemlik taking 2nd. Not far behind is Hannah Zemlik in 4th for the level 4 division. Cristiana Camacho is the 3rd place prep opt champ in the silver division. There were many individual awards for girls in both levels. Great job, girls!! Congratulations to Abby Czapla-Zurek and Selena Sanchez who move from level 3 to level 4 and to Bella Camacho and Nikki Leveritt moving from level 4 to prep opt. We would like to welcome new team members Breanna Biggs, Ariana Delgado, Jasmine Cuadrado and Madison Beck! For information on summer classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link at www.ymcaofportage.org.

FITNESS
More benefits of membership: FREE body fat testing the 3rd Friday of each month. Sign up at the cardio desk. The next FREE testing is on June 20th from 9-1 p.m. TRAIL KIDS will be starting July 1st! This exciting fitness class for kids ages 8-12 takes place outdoors on the trail (meet at the Welcome Center) and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Do you enjoy running outdoors? Are you looking for a team to run with or are you thinking about getting started running? Join our NEW "Y-Run" class! Classes are held Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. Register at the Welcome Center today and get moving! For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

MEMBERSHIP
Don't miss out on our SUMMER SPECIAL membership! Only $1.00 per day! Memberships can be purchased until July 31st and all SUMMER SPECIAL memberships end August 31st. Get fit with the YMCA this summer! Don't forget, all Primary Plus members will be offered a 30% savings on all programs (with the exception of Preschool and the Child Care & Development Center which are a 10% savings) as part of our Primary Plus Advantage program. Don 't miss out on the benefits of membership at the YMCA! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant in the membership department.

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Let us bring you JOY (Just Older Youth)! Join us the 1st Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a JOY luncheon and meeting where we celebrate the Just Older Youth at our YMCA! Breakfast at Tiffany's is another JOY activity which is held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 8-11 a.m. Come, sit back, relax have a made-to-order breakfast with us! Breakfast at Tiffany s also provides free blood pressure checks, courtesy of Miller's Merry Manor. Join us for a FREE nutrition program on July 2nd at 12:15 p.m. Label-Ease   is provided by Linda Curley from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension. Please see the Welcome Center to sign up for any of these programs.

TRAILS OF HOPE CAMP
In North America, 1 in 10 children will have a Mom, Dad, brother or sister die before they reach 18 years old. These are staggering statistics and this year the Trails of Hope Camp is reaching out to help provide special support for these children as they grieve. The camp provides support in a safe and structured environment while facilitating the grief work necessary for healing. All activities are supervised by adult "buddies". Camp is open to children ages 7-17. There is never any cost to the children or their families for the camp, which is held at Camp Tecumseh September 19th - 21st. If you know a child who would benefit from this camp, you would like to volunteer or provide financial support, please contact Christy Cantrell, Teen & Senior Activities Coordinator, at christy@ymcaofportage.org or 762-9622.

TEENS: CALLING ALL TEENS ENTERING 5TH - 8TH GRADE!!!
There will be a teen camp-out on Friday, June 27th from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. Tents, dinner and breakfast will be provided and all teens must bring a sleeping bag and pillow. The cost is only $5 for members and $10 for others. Don't miss out on this exciting over-night opportunity at the YMCA!!

WAY TO GO
Congratulations to Richelle Bolinger, who just had her high school graduation commencement ceremony! She plans on attending IUN this summer and fall where she will major in elementary education.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Shelley Schmidt for 20 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our May Big T.O.E. Award winners: Aquatics staff, Nancy Joy Alumbaugh, Richelle Bolinger, Adam Gurevitz, Nicole Lopez, Lindsey Miller, Kate Schlobohm and Kelcey Snyder.

Big T.O.E. Award

(Thanking Our Employees) Because every great achievement starts with the first step

Employee name: ____________________ Reason for recognition:___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

May 2008

SUMMER DAY CAMP IS COMING SOON!!!

June 9^th - August 15^th - - - 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL CAMPERS
CAMPERS SWIM DAILY
Register at the Welcome Center today for this memorable summer experience!!

SPORTS
The British are coming! Don’t miss out on the outdoor summer soccer camp instructed by professional soccer players from England being held June 23-27th at Imagination Glen. Sign up at the Welcome Center or for more details contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org. Watch the website for information regarding summer sports programs!
GYMNASTICS
Congratulations to Alexis Hall and Emma Havrilla who were promoted from the beginner gymnastics class to the intermediate class! The team girls had a meet at Horizon Gymnastics in Valpo on May 3^rd. Optional gymnasts brought the 2^nd place trophy home, level 4 took home the 3^rd place tropy and level 3 took 5^th in each of their divisions. The Spring season will finish up with the State meet in South Bend on May 18^th. There will be open try-outs on Tuesday, May 20^th and May 27^th for anyone interested in joining the YMCA Gymnastics team. Summer classes begin June 10^th. For information on tryouts or summer classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org.

FITNESS
Hey Moms & Dads, don’t forget about fitness for your kids! The YMCA Fit Kids class lets your kids work out while you do! Instructor, Sue Colunga has a variety of workouts for the kids, so bring your little exerciser to the aerobics room on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Don’t miss out on our BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) class starting June 3^rd! This class meets Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m. (at the front entrance of the YMCA) and the group hits the trail for a great workout, great scenery and fellowship on your bike! For any fitness related questions, please contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

PRESCHOOL
This is a very busy month for Preschool as the 2007-2008 school year comes to a close. The 4/5 year olds will host Mother’s Day Tea this month to show Mom just how special she is! The 4/5 year olds are also preparing for their graduation ceremony on May 22^nd. Our little scholars will shine in their cap and gown as they receive their diploma on stage at Portage High School West. The 3/4 year old students will end their school year with a "Fun Day" and picnic snack. A big thank you to the Preschool program for raising $761.85 for Relay for Life! Registration is open for Preschool Day Camp and Kindergarten Prep Camp. Space is limited, so don’t miss out on this fun opportunity for your little scholar! Stop by the Welcome Center today to register! For information on the 2008-2009 Preschool Academies, contact Lindsey Miller.

MEMBERSHIP
Don’t miss out on our SUMMER SPECIAL membership! Only $1.00 per day! Memberships can be purchased until July 31^st and all SUMMER SPECIAL memberships end August 31^st. Get fit with the YMCA this summer! Don’t forget, all Primary Plus members will be offered a 30% savings on all programs (with the exception of Preschool and the Child Care & Development Center which are a 10% savings) as part of our Primary Plus Advantage program. Don’t miss out on the benefits of membership at the YMCA! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant in the membership department.

Y-CARE
The children in the Y-Care program at Aylesworth and Myers have become pen pals! They have spent the last month exchanging letters and pictures and they are planning an end of the year celebration together. Myers will be hosting their Aylesworth counterparts hoping for home-court advantage for the many fun games and activities the staff have planned! For more information, see Janice Krebs, Youth Service Coordinator or email her at jan@ymcaofportage.org.

CHILD CARE
Happy Birthday to the Child Care and Development Center which turned 4 years old on April 26^th! Thank you to the teachers who have been with us from the day the doors opened and to the children who have been with us from 2 years old through 5! A big thank you to the children in the Center who filled their piggy banks and raised $205 for Relay for Life! The students are reviewing numbers, letters, colors, shapes, writing names, telephone numbers and addresses in preparation for the end of the "school year" in the Center. They are preparing for their exciting summer curriculum! For information on availability in the Center, please contact Louise Pash.

TODDLERS
Teeter Totter Tots is our new fun-filled toddler program open to children ages 1 ½ to 3 years old. Children will be introduced to a group setting and learn social skills while participating in story-time, make a craft, have structured play time and eat a healthy snack. The program is offered Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. The class is taught by Bernadette Burrell who has 10 years of experience developing and teaching toddler programs. Space is limited, so sign up at the Welcome Center today!

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES"
Let us bring you JOY (Just Older Youth)! Join us the 1^st Friday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for a JOY luncheon and meeting where we celebrate the Just Older Youth at our YMCA! Breakfast at Tiffany’s is another JOY activity which is held the 3^rd Tuesday of each month from 8-11 a.m. Come, sit back, relax have a made-to-order breakfast with us! Breakfast at Tiffany’s also provides free blood pressure checks, courtesy of Miller’s Merry Manor. Join us for a FREE nutrition program on May 14^th at 10 & 11 a.m. "Make Half Your Grains Whole" is provided by Linda Curley from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension. This program is designed to teach you how to lower your grocery bill by purchasing healthy foods and you will see how healthy eating doesn’t have to cost more! A skillet meal will be prepared for all attendees and reservations are required. Please see the Welcome Center to sign up for any of these programs.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Pat Craighead for 5 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our April Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Janet Grant, Carol Komenda, Marilyn Lindner, Andy Reyes, Cathi Srednoselac, Kresha Tabor and Kylee Yeomans

April 2008

Welcome Christy Cantrell,
Teen & Senior Activities Coordinator!!

Christy is completing her education this May from Ball State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Christy has served as the Camp Coordinator and volunteered in the Active Older Adult and sport programs at the Hobart YMCA. Please help us welcome Christy in her new position and check out her new JOY (Just Older Youth) club and events, as well as her new teen programs.

SPORTS
Registration for youth t-ball for children 3 to 5 years of age ends May 5^th, with the league running from May 12^th-June 21^st. One hour practices will be held once a week with games on Saturdays. The playing field is located behind the Real Life Church on Swanson Road. For more details or to volunteer as a coach visit the Welcome Center, go to our website at www.ymcaofportage.org or contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org. Keep your eyes open for information on open volleyball and don’t forget to register your team for the adult volleyball league on Monday nights!!!
GYMNASTICS
The gymnastics team hosted the Hollywood Stars Gymnastics Invitational Meet on Sunday, April 6^th. There were 8 teams and over 150 competitors in 3 different divisions. The P.R.E.P. Opt team placed 2^nd, level 4 placed 3^rd and level 3 placed 5^th in their divisions! A big thank you goes out to all of the amazing parents and gymnasts for helping to make this a successful event! The next meet is in South Bend on April 19^th. For information about joining classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org.

FITNESS
Have you noticed the new changes in fitness? New classes FREE to members through the Primary Plus Advantage Program! Yoga, held on Monday and Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., is now FREE to Primary Plus members. Check out our new Gentle Yoga class on Tuesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m., especially for Active Older Adults. Fit Kids is a fun-filled circuit training class for kids 8-12 years old. Check out this fun opportunity held on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. With new areas of the building open, please remember the following policies: No children are permitted in the locker rooms - for your convenience there is a family changing room located next to the drinking fountain by the fitness desk. Only Primary Plus members are permitted to use the fitness areas, including the track; and children must be accompanied by an adult on the track. For details or specific questions, please request a member handbook at the Welcome Center.

For any fitness related questions, please feel free to contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

PRESCHOOL
The students are ready to jump into Nursery Rhymes, opposites and positional words and they are preparing for this month’s field trips! The 4/5 year old classes will explore the behind the scene areas at Town & Country Market by touring the store and sampling different foods they carries. The 3/4 year old classes have a sweet trip as they go to the Albanese Candy Factory and taste many of the goodies as they watch how the candy is made! Don’t forget to register for the 2008-2009 YMCA Preschool Academy. Space is limited, so stop by the Welcome Center today to register! For more information, contact Lindsey Miller.

MEMBERSHIP
The MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGE program began this month for Primary Plus members. All Primary Plus members will be offered a 30% savings on all programs (with the exception of Preschool and the Child Care & Development Center which are a 10% savings) beginning this month. For Primary members, UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW to a Primary Plus. Don’t miss out on the benefits of membership at the YMCA! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant in the membership department.

DAY CAMP: Registration for the 2008 Day Camp is taking place now! Don’t miss out on this 10 week adventure for the summer! Camp starts June 9^th and is held Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (service can be provided from 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.). Camp is designed for students Kindergarten through 8^th grade and features values-centered experiences and fun-filled activities. All campers will have the opportunity to swim each day and free breakfast and lunch will be provided daily! For more information, see Janice Krebs, Youth Service Coordinator or email her at jan@ymcaofportage.org.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES: Congratulations to Angie Merryman for 7 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our March Big T.O.E. Award winners:
Jack Fortenberry, Caitlyn Francis, Adam Gurevitz,
Natalie Hull, Nicole Lopez and Andy Reyes

March 2008

19^th Annual Bowl-a-thon - Sunday, March 30^th at Camelot Bowl - Pick up a team packet at the Welcome Center - All proceeds benefit the Youth Scholarship Fund

SPORTS
Youth basketball and cheerleading began on 3/3. There are more than 100 kids participating in basketball and more than 30 YMCA cheerleaders! Games begin Saturday, March 15^th. Don’t miss out on SPORTS OF ALL SORTS the week of March 24-28th. For more information or to sign up, stop at the Welcome Center today! Youth indoor soccer league sign ups are currently running with practices and league play beginning in April. And for anyone 14 years of age and over, adult co-ed volleyball registration is now open and games will begin in April. More information is available at the Welcome Center, on our website at www.ymcaofportage.org or contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org
Please remember, only primary plus members are permitted to use the gymnasium for open play.

GYMNASTICS
Congratulations to the following gymnasts who moved up from the beginner to intermediate program: Cynthia Arauz, Madison Beck and Nakara Harrop-Haywood. A special congratulations to Kalena Harrop-Haywood who moved from the intermediate class to the level 3 Sparklers gymnastics team. Great job girls!! The gymnastics team began their spring season as they competed at Merrillville High School on Sunday, March 2^nd. Many of the gymnasts received individual awards. The team is now busy preparing for the Hollywood Stars meet on April 6^th hosted by the Portage YMCA. Come join us and support the gymnasts! All of the gymnasts are waiting with

excitement for the wedding of coach Trisha Goetschel in a few weeks. All of the girls wish her a lifetime of happiness and dreams! The Preschool gymnastics program has also begun their new schedule with new times in the brand new room at the YMCA building. Don’t miss your chance to build your gymnastics skills from an early age! For information about joining classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org (programs>gymnastics).

FITNESS
The 5^th session 12 WEEK CHISEL participants are doing amazing!!! The week of March 31^st will be your final week, so don’t forget to schedule your final appointment at the Welcome Center beginning the week of March 24^th. Keep up the good work all the way to the end!!! With new areas of the building opening, please remember the following policies: No children are permitted in the locker rooms - for your convenience there is a family changing room located next to the drinking fountain by the fitness desk. Only Primary Plus members are permitted to use the fitness areas, including the track; and children must be accompanied by an adult on the track. For details or specific questions, please request a member handbook at the Welcome Center. For any fitness related questions, please feel free to contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

PRESCHOOL
All students will be finishing up their alphabet this month. It has been a lot of work for the students, but they have done an excellent job learning! The 4/5 year olds visited the fire station this month as they study community helpers. All of the classes will enjoy their Easter egg hunts before Spring Break! The Preschool program welcomes Lynne Dean as Miss Cathi’s assistant and Pam Samano as Mrs. Gore’s assistant as we say goodbye to Miss Debbie as she is relocating. Thank you for everything you have done for the students this year, Miss Debbie! Don’t forget to register for the 2008-2009 YMCA Preschool Academy. Space is limited, so stop by the Welcome Center today to register! For more information, contact Lindsey Miller.

MEMBERSHIP
The MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGE program begins in April for Primary Plus members. All Primary Plus members will be offered a 30% savings on all programs (with the exception of Preschool and the Child Care & Development Center which are a 10% savings) beginning in April. For Primary members, UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW to a Primary Plus. In March, all joiner fees will be waived for Primary members that take out a Primary Plus. Don’t miss out on the benefits of membership at the YMCA! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant or Sarah Wilkins in the membership department.

Y-CARE
The Y-Care sites have been busy preparing for the holidays! Children at the Myers site have made cute little leprechauns and now they are gearing up to make Easter baskets from empty milk cartons. The children at the Jones site made St. Patrick’s Day pins to wear and magnets! They will be eating green applesauce to celebrate! At the Aylesworth site, the children are making Easter baskets and bunnies from paper mache. Y-Care will be held at the YMCA building on Good Friday and during Spring Break. For more information, see Janice Krebs, Youth Service Coordinator.

SPECIAL EVENTS
The Portage Township YMCA Sparklers gymnastics team will host their annual gymnastics meet at Portage High School East on Sunday, April 6^th. The Aquatics program is holding a special event "Tropical Fun @ the Y" at the Portage High School West pool on Friday, April 18^th from 6-8 p.m. Don’t miss out on the water games, prizes and raffles! The 19^th Annual Bowl-A-Thon is scheduled for Sunday, March 30^th at Camelot Bowl! Team packets are available at the Welcome Center now! This is one of our most exciting annual events and a great opportunity to raise money for our Youth Scholarship Fund. This year’s goal is just over $27,000, so please help us help the kids!

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Marilyn Lindner & Cathi Srednoselac for 23 years and Pam Thomas for 5 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our January

Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Richelle Bolinger, Jackie Brick, Jack Fortenberry, Michelle Gregory, Kathy Helmecy, Brandi Hoskins, Natalie Hull, Janice Krebs, Linda Mendez, Shay Odds, Lisa Peete, Susan Perez, Brenda Ricker, Jessica Sosa and Cherina Torbert

SAVE THE DATE:

March 30^th: 19^th Annual Bowl-a-Thon

February 2008

3/3        3/3        3/3        3/3        3/3        3/3

The youth and adult basketball leagues and the home school PE program begin the week of March 3rd!!!   Don't miss out on the new opportunity!!

SPORTS
Don’t miss out! The gymnasium opens on 3/3/08 and we want you to be a part of our youth and adult leagues! Registration is taking place now at the Welcome Center for youth basketball and cheerleading and adult basketball (over 30 4 on 4 half court & 18+). Are you a home schooled student or parent? Don’t miss out on P.E. classes that will help keep you active and moving just like the other students! Check out our Home School P.E. program starting March 6^th! More information is available at the Welcome Center or contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org
GYMNASTICS
Gymnastics was the featured program for Membership WOW Day in January. The gymnasts hosted a raffle for a free month and ½ off a month of program fees. The winner of the free month is Lexi Sebert; the winner of the ½ off for team is Jackie Clark and the ½ off for progressive classes is Kaley Humphrey. Congratulations girls! The team gymnasts sponsored "Bring a Friend for a Week" and many girls came and tried out the class. The beginner/intermediate gymnasts will be hosting friends in February, so don’t miss out! For information about trying out for the team or joining classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org (programs>gymnastics).

FITNESS
The Cybex department would like to welcome our new instructor, Kelly! Kelly is not only a Cybex instructor, but also an experienced and certified personal trainer. In addition to Kelly, we are also thrilled to offer quality training services from our other personal trainers Linda, Dan and Lene. Stop by our Fitness coordinator’s office in the cardio room or the Welcome Center for each trainers specific qualifications and to set up an appointment today. Don’t delay! These trainers can provide you with the most up-to-date exercises and training methods to maximize your time in the gym and get your body beach ready! 12 WEEK CHISEL participants are working very hard and doing very well! The week of February 18^th is the ½ way point, so don’t forget to schedule your next appointment for measurements at the Welcome Center. For any fitness related questions, please feel free to contact Linda Mendez, Fitness Coordinator.

PRESCHOOL
The students have been having a lot of fun learning their alphabet! Not only are they learning to recognize and write their letters, but they are also learning sign language! The classes will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a party, thanks to all of our room parents! The students will have Valentines, games and yummy snacks! Registration for the 2008-2009 Preschool Academies begins on March 3^rd. For more information, please contact Lindsey Miller.

MEMBERSHIP
A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU! This is a great time to "RESOLVE TO BE INVOLVED AT THE Y!" Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this exceptional time for the Portage Township YMCA! With our expanded facility nearly complete and our membership growing rapidly, there will be limited memberships available, so don’t miss your chance! Take out a primary plus membership or UPGRADE your primary membership today! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant or Sarah Wilkins in the membership department.

BE INVOLVED
Are you an active YMCA member or program participant, but you’re wondering how you can get more involved? You can be a part of our Program/Membership Committee or you can join one of our Outreach Teams for our Annual Strong Kids Campaign. This year’s goal for the Strong Kids Campaign is $40,000 and all funds raised support our low-income youth and program participants. Ask Dave or Lindsey today if you’re interested in being more involved!

MASSAGE THERAPY
We have two very talented, experienced, certified therapists at your service to help you relax, unwind and heal sore muscles. Body Therapy by Nancy Joy, Alternative & Clinical Therapist, offers multiple quality services including Reiki therapy, Gi Gong and acupressure services as well as multiple types of massage including prenatal. Nancy Joy has over 14 years of experience in the industry. Kay Mauser is a professional member of AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) and she specializes in pain relief through trigger point therapy and deep pressure massage. Kay is also experienced in other modalities such as Swedish (relaxation) massage, hot stone therapy and reflexology. Stop by the YMCA to make an appointment or visit our therapists today!

SPECIAL EVENTS
The 19^th Annual Bowl-A-Thon is scheduled for Sunday, March 30^th at Camelot Bowl! Team packets are available at the Welcome Center now! This is one of our most exciting annual events and a great opportunity to raise money for our Youth Scholarship Fund. This year’s goal is just over $27,000, so please help us help the kids!

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Gail Holliman for 12 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our January Big T.O.E. Award winners:
Jamie Gore, Janice Krebs, Lindsey Miller, Debbie Pasternak & Cathi Srendnoselac

SAVE THE DATE

March 3^rd: Youth & Adult leagues begin

March 30^th: 19^th Annual Bowl-a-Thon

January 2008

19^th Annual Bowl-A-Thon, March 30^th

Packets will be available at the Welcome Center on February 11^th! Space is limited,
so sign up fast! Don’t miss this chance to have fun with the Y and help us raise
funds to support the Youth Scholarship Program.

CHILD CARE
As we start another exciting year in our Child Care and Development Center, we want to remind you that space is limited and there are only a few remaining spots! Our state-licensed Child Care and Development Center can offer your child a safe, educational and enriching environment from 2 years old through kindergarten. For more information, please contact Louise Pash, Child Care Director.

GYMNASTICS
The team girls finished up their season with the State Meet in Peru on December 8^th. All of our gymnasts came home with individual awards. The Level 3 team placed third and the Level 4 team took home the 1^st place trophy beating out 7 other teams...this gives them the distinguished title of NW Indiana State Champs with an UNDEFEATED season! Congratulations to the team and coaches! The Spring season begins in February. For information about trying out for the team or joining classes please contact Janet Grant, Gymnastics Director or check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org (programs>gymnastics).

FITNESS
Our Chiseled participants successfully completed the 4^th session of "12 WEEK CHISEL" at the end of December! Once again, the results were fantastic! A total of 27.5 lbs, 10.9% body fat and 31 3/4 inches was lost! Great job to all of the participants, keep up the good work! Test out our brand new Precor stretch trainer, Bosu ball and medicine balls located on the east side of our new cardio center. These supplies were purchased from the funds raised in the Aerob-a-thon, so a big thank you to all event participants! Remember, if you have any questions about the new equipment or you need an upgrade on your workout routine, stop by Linda Mendez’s office located at the south end of cardio room and she would love to assist you!

SPORTS
Don’t miss out on the YMCA’s racquetball league starting January 14^th! Registration is open at the Welcome Center for singles and doubles. Youth and adult leagues will not be starting in January as previously scheduled due to a construction delay with the opening of the gymnasium. We are looking forward to an early spring start date for the leagues. Registration is still ongoing for youth and adult basketball and cheerleading. Save your spot today, don’t miss out on participating in our brand new gymnasium leagues! More information is available at the Welcome Center or contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org

PRESCHOOL
Our Preschoolers finished up their lessons on numbers and they did a great job! They made their very own Christmas crafts, ornaments and presents for their parents. We had a great surprise visit from Santa himself during our Christmas parties. A big thank you to all of the room parents for your support in planning such great parties for the students! January begins the alphabet and brings a few new faces joining the classes. Registration for 2008-2009 school year is open to current participants starting February 4^th and open to the public starting March 3^rd. For more information, please contact Lindsey Miller at 762-9622 or lindsey@ymcaofportage.org.

MEMBERSHIP A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU!
This is a great time to "RESOLVE TO BE INVOLVED AT THE Y!" Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this exceptional time for the Portage Township YMCA! With our expanded facility nearly complete and our membership growing rapidly, there will be limited membership available, so don’t miss your chance! Take out a primary plus membership or UPGRADE your primary membership today! The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet Grant or Sarah Wilkins in the membership department.

K-CARE AND Y-CARE
It’s a new year and a great time to go through your toys and see what you don’t play with anymore. Remember the Y can put those toys to good use! We have 3 Y-Care sites, one K-Care site and two Preschool sites that would just love to have new toys to play with! The Jones site has some dolls with missing limbs, while other sites don’t have any dolls at all. What about those action figures? Are they seeing any action in the bottom of the toy box? Board games, cards, books and craft supplies are always welcome. So, clean out your basement, closet, toy box, drawers and under your bed! Feel free to bring items to the YMCA or to your site and we will give them new life! For more information on K-Care and Y-Care, please contact Janice Krebs, Youth Services Coordinator.

AQUATICS
The pool at Portage High School West is open! Open swim is available 6-8:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 7-8:45 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Lap swim is available 6-8:45 p.m. Monday - Friday and Aquasize is offered from 6-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. We also offer progressive swim lessons for infants through adults. Session I of swim lessons is January 7 - February 1 and session II is February 4 - 28. For information about Aquatics programs contact Sarah Wilkins.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Pat Jandura for 13 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our December Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Gina Blankenship, Carol Chavez, Jack Fortenberry, Janet Grant, Adam Gurevitz, Kathy Helmecy, Dave Kasarda, Carol Komenda, Janice Krebs, Janice Laczi, Marilyn Lindner, Louise Pash, Ryan Penrod, Holli Piers, Kresha Tabor and Sarah Wilkins

SAVE THE DATE:

March 30^th: 19^th Annual Bowl-A-Thon

December 2007

Northwest Indiana YMCA Champions - Fall 2007

With a score of 107.75 the Level 4 YMCA gymnasts took first place out of 8 teams at the State meet in Peru!! Congratulations for all of your hard work and dedication!

Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve 4:00 a.m. until 12 noon
New Year’s Eve 4:00 a.m. until 12 noon with Membership open 9 a.m. until 12 noon
CLOSED Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

CHILD CARE
We are in our new home!!! The Child Care and Development Center is officially a resident of the YMCA building! The facility is state-of-the-art and gorgeous! The children all made a smooth transition into their new surroundings and the parents are very happy with the new facility. The children are working on their curriculum and preparing for the Christmas festivities by making decorations and anticipating Santa’s arrival! If you are interested in touring the new facility, please contact Louise Pash, Child Care Director. From the children and staff at the Child Care and Development Center, have a Blessed Holiday Season!
GYMNASTICS
Congratulations to Kylee Yeomans, one of our coaches and gymnasts who recently made the high school gymnastics team! We will all be cheering for you! The YMCA team had two meets in November: the level 4 gymnasts took first place in their division at Lakeshore on November 11^th and at the Holiday meet in South Bend on November 17^th! Level 3 gymnasts won first in their division at Lakeshore and took third in South Bend! Great job, girls, and good luck at the State meet coming up in Peru! Check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org (programs>gymnastics).

FITNESS
A big thank you goes out to all of the members and fitness staff who participated in the aerob-a-thon! All participants received several door prizes that were donated by local businesses including Starbucks, GNC, Walmart, Zim’s Bike Shop, Rhame & Elwood, Portage Car Wash, Applebee’s, massage therapists Kay Guba and Nancy Joy, Nail Port, Mindy’s Hair Salon, Smart Style, Jimmy John’s, Bass Proshop, Aztec Tan, Yamaha, Peggy’s Florist, The J Railroad and Porter. Also donating were staff members Sue Fingerhoot and Pam Thomas! Thank you so much for making this event a success! More information to come soon on the outcome of the funds raised!

WINTER SPORTS
Due to space limitations at Portage High School, open basketball for the YMCA at Portage High School West has been cancelled. Please keep your eyes open for the YMCA’s gymnasium to open in the beginning of 2008! In the meantime, Portage residents can go to the PHS field house to play open basketball Monday-Thursday from 6-9 p.m. Registration is now open for youth basketball and cheerleading! As well, you can sign up now for our over 30 adult 4 on 4 half court league or the 18 and over adult league. More information is available at the Welcome Center or contact Ryan Penrod at ryan@ymcaofportage.org

PRESCHOOL
Our Preschool students have been very busy working on numbers! They made some very creative Thanksgiving crafts and had a fantastic corn feast while learning about Pilgrims and Indiana. The 4/5 year old students had the opportunity to experience a live turkey during their field trip to Chesterton Feed & Garden! December will be filled with many holiday festivities including a very special visit from Santa himself and a Christmas class party! For more information, please contact Lindsey Miller at 762-9622 or lindsey@ymcaofportage.org.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE
The construction project is moving along on schedule, with the anticipated opening of the new locker rooms and cardio center in the next few weeks. All of the new cardio equipment and cardio theatre is projected to be delivered early this month. Once the new locker rooms are complete and the north wing is occupied, renovation of the existing facility will begin. The first areas to be renovated will be the fun zone and Preschool rooms. The gym equipment is expected to be installed by the end of the month, then the gym floor will be installed. We are all very excited to begin operating all of the new sections of the building, however it is imperative that we do not open until the facility is complete. I realize this has been a long process, but I believe the final product will greatly enhance your membership! Thank you for your continued patience and support!                       Dave Kasarda

MEMBERSHIP
Do you know a college student that will be home on winter break and wants to stay fit? Do you have a friend that wants to try the YMCA without making a long term commitment? The Winter Break membership special is currently available through December 29^th. This special membership is designed to meet the needs of anyone desiring a temporary membership at the YMCA. During this special, you may purchase a 2, 3 or 4 week membership for only $7 per week. The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. For more details contact Janet or Sarah in the membership department.

WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
Teaching healthy lifestyle changes to manage weight loss for a lifetime!!! Sue Fingerhoot’s 13 week program begins January 9^th. For a great way to start off a new year & new you, join Sue on 13 consecutive Wednesdays at the YMCA from 5:30-6:30 p.m. starting January 9^th. The first week is free and gives you an introduction to how the program is run. Weekly weigh-ins are recommended, but optional. For program fees and more information, contact Sue Fingerhoot at 219-263-7240.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Kathy Helmecy for 17 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

GIFT CERTIFICATES
YMCA gift certificates are available for all of your gift-buying needs!!! Give the gift of health at the YMCA! Certificates are available in any increment and can be redeemed for programs, services or membership! Stop by the Welcome Center today!

Congratulations to our November Big T.O.E. Award winners:
Michelle Gregory, Kathy Helmecy, Susan Ishii, Ryan Penrod & Sarah Wilkins

SAVE THE DATE
March 30^th- Our 19^th Annual Bowl-a-Thon

November 2007

Take a load off before you load up on turkey!

Join us for our 7^th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning!

Registration from 6:30-7:15 a.m. Races start at 7:30 a.m.

1K youth run, 2K family fun walk and 5K run

Bring your friends, your family and join us for fitness, fellowship and fun!

WINTER SPORTS
The time has come! Winter sports registration is coming soon and will fill up fast, so don’t miss out! On November 26^th, Adult basketball team, youth basketball ages 4-13 and youth cheerleading ages 4-13 registration begins! Don’t forget, open gym is currently running at Portage High School West gymnasium Monday thru Thursday from 7-10 p.m. For more information regarding youth and adult sports leagues, contact Ryan Penrod, Sports Director.
GYMNASTICS
The middle school team finished up their season undefeated! They took the first place trophy home from the championship meet on October 16^th! Congratulations to Tara Kostelnik and Sara Kemper who joined the YMCA team after their middle school team seasoned finished up! The YMCA team had their first meet at Horizon in October. The level 4 team won first place against six other NW Indiana teams with a team score of 108.0! Good luck at your two meets in November girls! A big congratulations also goes out to Autumn Culp who moved from beginner to intermediate! Check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org (programs>gymnastics).

FITNESS
Don’t miss out on the fitness department’s AEROB-A-THON on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17^TH from 8-12 noon!

The AEROB-A-THON is a fundraiser for spin bikes for the new cardio center, so join us to raise money, get fit and have fun all at the same time! Pick up a pledge sheet at the Welcome Center. Door prizes will be given out during the event and each participant will receive a YMCA water bottle and Life Fitness towel. Think you can raise more than $500? You could win a 1 year primary plus membership! Also on November 17^th, don’t miss out on a priceless opportunity to have your body fat measured, resting metabolic rate evaluated and VO2 max tested. The Ultimate Test Lab will be here starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 17^th. Get more details at the Welcome Center. Appointments are limited so sign up at the Welcome Center today!

PRESCHOOL
The Preschool classes finished up learning their colors and shapes and have begun recognizing and writing numbers. Everyone had so much fun on the first field trip of the year to Coulters Pumpkin Patch! All of the students picked out their very own pumpkin in the field. Each class had a special Halloween party, too! A big thank you goes out to all of the room parents for doing such a great job with the games, crafts and snacks! In November, the students will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a corn feast! Students will have the chance to sample several foods made from corn while learning about Pilgrims and Indians. Keep your eyes open for their special homemade costumes! For more information, please contact Lindsey Miller at 762-9622 or lindsey@ymcaofportage.org.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE
We hope you are enjoying the opening of the new Welcome Center! You will see the new state-licensed child care center open up early this month and we’re still on track to open the new cardio center later this month. Thank you for your continued patience during this project! The reward will be an amazing facility that will serve the growing needs of Portage Township and the surrounding communities!

MEMBERSHIP
Do you know a college student that will be home on winter break and wants to stay fit? Do you have a friend that wants to try the YMCA without making a long term commitment? The Winter Break membership special will be available December 3^rd through December 29^th. This special membership is designed to meet the needs of anyone desiring a temporary membership at the YMCA. During this special, you may purchase a 2, 3 or 4 week membership for only $7 per week. The membership office hours are Monday & Tuesday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday from

8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon. New members also receive a special gift when you join now! For more details contact Janet or Sarah in the membership department.

AQUATICS
Congratulations to the following students who will be graduating to the next level of progressive swim lessons this month: Morgan Aldrich, Jacob Demuth, Jimmy Drescher, Stephen Drescher, Benjamin Goffette, Sophia Hruskocy, Erika Kondratavicius, Anna Martinez, Sophia Rodriguiz, Alex Rosales, Xavier Rosales, Ellie Skish, Taytum Torres and Alanna Tuitman!

Y-CARE
We would like to welcome the following additions to our Y-Care staff: Sabrina Krone & Catie Karpinski! Both ladies bring with them fresh ideas to keep the children focused on the four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, while having fun in our before & after school program! In celebration of Halloween, the students at Aylesworth made ghosts and black cats while listening to spooky music! The students at Jones had a Halloween safety presentation and made masks to wear at their party! Finally, the Myer students had fun decorating special cupcakes that looked like brains! For more information on Y-Care, contact the Youth Services Coordinator, Janice Krebs.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Jayne Griffith for 18 years of service and Louise Pash for 12 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

Congratulations to our October Big T.O.E. Award winners:

Fitness staff, Kathy Helmecy, Jack Fortenberry, Trisha Goetschel,
Adam Gurevitz, Jayne Griffith, Jamie Luedtke, Cathi Srednoselac,
Janice Krebs, Andy Reyes & Louise Pash

SAVE THE DATE:

November 17^th              In-house Wellness Triathalon

November 22^nd             7^th Annual Turkey Trot

March 30^th                      19th Annual Bowl-a-Thon

October 2007

COMING SOON TO YOUR YMCA:

Open basketball at PHS West starts Monday, October 15^th from 7-10 p.m.
The program is Monday-Thursday (bring your own basketball)

Also, keep your eyes open for a questionnaire at the Welcome Center regarding gym programs. This is a perfect opportunity to tell us what you’d like to see in the gym. For 2008, plan to see youth & adult basketball leagues and cheerleading! For more information contact Ryan Penrod.

GYMNASTICS
Our program held open try-outs for the team level and we would like to congratulate the following gymnasts for making the "Portage YMCA Sparklers" competitive team: Jackie Clark, Emma Kasarda, Valerie Plinovich and Nikki Vuko! The first meet of the season will take place at Horizon Gymnastics in Valparaiso on October 13^th. We would also like to congratulate the following gymnasts who have graduated to the intermediate level: Emily Henley, Kaitlyn Kelley and Brandon Waytovich. The middle school team is doing a fantastic job with a 3-0 record and only one meet remains before the championship! Keep up the hard work! Check out the gymnastics link on the YMCA web site at www.ymcaofportage.org (programs>gymnastics).
FITNESS
We would like to thank all of the staff and members who participated in America on the Move week activities! The aerob-a-thon on Saturday, September 29^th was a great success! Keep your eyes open for information regarding the next aerob-a-thon on November 17^th. The YMCA had a goal of 1 million steps for all of the AOM week activities and to our surprise and delight the grand total was: 2,188,395 steps! A special congratulations to the top three members: Don Nelson with 99,850 steps, Glen Stewart with 90,870 steps and Larry Cafin with 89,820 steps! Congratulations to our top three staff: Gail Holliman with 206,849 steps, Jack Fortenberry with 168,755 steps and our trusty leader Dave Kasarda with 142,230 steps. Great job! The third session of "12 WEEK CHISEL" has come to an end, and once again the results were phenomenal: 29.7% body fat reduction, 104 lbs. lost and 118.25 inches lost! Great job and continue the hard work, it pays off!

PRESCHOOL
The teachers have had so much fun getting to know all of the children this year! The children have been working hard on learning colors and shapes along with the rules and routines of school. They are all looking forward to school pictures this month (courtesy of Barry’s Photography) and the first field trip of the year to Coulters, where everyone will enjoy a hay ride and pick their very own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch! There are still spots available in the Tuesday/Thursday class. To register, stop by the Welcome Center today. For more information, please contact Lindsey Miller at 762-9622 or lindsey@ymcaofportage.org. As you can see, we are moving quickly on the expansion project! The roof is being placed on the gym and finishing touches to the expansion on the north side are being completed. We expect to occupy the new cardio center and locker rooms in late November. We expect to occupy the southern addition (including the Child Care and Development Center) in the next 30 days. Thank you for your continued patience during this project! The reward will be an amazing facility that will serve the growing needs of Portage Township and the surrounding communities!

MEMBERSHIP
Keep your eyes open for the new membership drive beginning October 15^th: Pointing in the "Y’s direction". New members receive a special gift when they join during this promotion. For more details contact Janet or Sarah in the membership department.

CHILD CARE
The children in the 5 year old room at the Child Care and Development Center have started their Kindergarten readiness curriculum! The 3/4 year old room has begun the Preschool curriculum and the 2 year olds are learning about outer space this month! The children enjoyed a visit earlier this month from firefighter Kris Kender! They learned about being safe in a fire and they got a chance to see his special firefighter attire! As we all prepare for this Halloween, the children and staff at the Child Care and Development Center wish you a safe and Happy Halloween!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Please join us in welcoming all of our new members! If you see a new face, please take a second to say hello and find out a little about them. We want to personally welcome our "Fitness Barn" members! We hope you are enjoying your experience here, and we are so happy to provide you a new home!

GET INVOLVED
Registration for the 7^th Annual Turkey Trot will begin on Monday, October 15^th. This is a great opportunity to "take a load off" before you load up on turkey and fixin’s! The Turkey Trot will offer a 1K family fun walk, 1K youth run and 5K run. Awards in set age groups will be offered for the 1K youth run and the 5K run. Join us for fun, fitness and fellowship this Thanksgiving! For more information please contact Lindsey Miller.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Jayne Griffith for 18 years of service and Louise Pash for 12 years of service with the Portage Township YMCA this month! Thank you for all that you do!

NOW FREE
Tai Chi is now a FREE class included with your Primary Plus membership! Classes are held Monday and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. for beginners and 8-9 a.m. for intermediate/advanced. Try this class to rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit!

Congratulations to our September Big T.O.E. Award winners:

S