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Events & Y News
Special Events and
Information
-
Twenty years ago, Chillicothe was preparing for an event that would benefit
the community, its citizens and several surrounding counties in Northwest
Missouri. On November 1, 1992, the Grand River Area Family YMCA's new building opened its doors. The generosity of people from Livingston and many
adjoining counties, plus much work from enthusiastic supporters, made the Y
possible. On November 1, 2012, an open house was held at the Y facility.
See news
here...
- Senior Card Day -
Every 3rd Friday, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
- Corporate Challenge
- Employees of local businesses, schools, and members of churches compete in 15-20 different events over an 6- week period to earn points towards their business total. Keep up the spirit of competitive sports by putting your business, school or church in today. Plaques and certificates are given during the awards ceremony at the final BBQ on July 6th.
The Challenge kicks off with a BBQ/Tailgate party in the YMCA parking lot on
Friday, May 25th.
- NEEDED: Men
and women with a positive attitude willing to mentor boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14. We have a waiting list anxiously awaiting a Y-Pal. Call
Sally Peterson at 646-6677 today!
- Check out allplayers.com!
You'll find all the information you need for the youth sports programs that will be coming
to the Grand River Area YMCA in the future, along with program
registration dates, coach's information, and picture dates. And,
it's FREE! Click on the link above and create an account to keep
posted on what's happening.
- Rent the Browning Gym for your
Birthday Party... Reserve for you and your guests and use the
basketball goals and/or volleyball nets. Cost is $55 for members
(12 children plus 2 adults) or $85 for all others. Additional
children are $3.00 each. A $25 non-refundable deposit is required
which will be applied toward your bill. Please call the YMCA two
weeks prior to your party date - 660-646-6677.
- Partner With Youth Campaign...
The YMCA conducts an annual fund drive. The goal of the campaign is to raise
money for use in providing
scholarships to low-income households for Y memberships and programs. Monies also go to help fund the Y-PALS youth mentoring program and the back pack buddies program. We hope that if a Y volunteer asks you,
you'll give generously.
- Earn Cash Back when you Shop Online...
learn how here!
- The Exergaming room is open and
staffed weekdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Games include sportwall,
Wii, trazer, bike racing, poly pong and dance, and dance
revolution. The room is for children ages 8-16; adults allowed
only if accompanied by a child.
-
The YMCA is searching for new program
ideas. If you have an idea, we'd love to hear about it. In order to be a successful program, there has to be some interest in it, we have to be able to find a good instructor (if instruction is required), there needs to be a good place to hold the program and we need to be able to find the equipment. There is a box at the front desk of the Y, and forms you can use to fill out.
CURRENT NEWS
NOTES...
Family Fun Night "Pumpkin
Splash"
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley 10 24 11
Bianca Clark, daughter of Brandi and Travis Clark, gets some help from
Chad Mayne, in selecting a large pumpkin of her own to decorate during the
annual pumpkin splash at the Grand River Area Family YMCA Saturday evening. More than 50 pumpkins were put into the swimming pool for
children to retrieve. After taking their pumpkins out of the water, the
children were invited to decorate the pumpkins to take home, decorate Halloween cookies, play games, and get a treat bag.
Y-PALS Back-To-School Breakfast 2011
 |
Y-Pal Miranda Wilson and her family enjoy another round of pancakes at the Annual Y-Pals Back to School Breakfast at the YMCA Saturday,
August 27, 2011. Over 40 people attended including Y-Pals, mentors, and their families. |
 |
Kiwanis
member Joe Hardie serves more sausage and pancakes that he and Alice Swartz cooked for the Y-Pals at their back- to- school breakfast. Also pictured is Sally Peterson, Y-Pals Director, and Y-Pals mentor Gary Miller. |
Annual
Cleaning Week 2011
C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke / August 1, 2011
The Grand River Area Family YMCA was closed
for annual repairs and cleanup around the facility the week of August
1 through 6. Early Monday morning, workers were busy disinfecting and cleaning workout equipment and painting and cleaning the
center's pool, which had been drained just for the occasion. Tools were also set up in the racquetball court, awaiting those who would soon take to the work allotted in that area. A YMCA employee said that work will continue throughout the week, and until the assigned refurbishment tasks are completed.
C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke / August 1, 2011
This trio of ladies set to work Monday morning, cleaning up exercise equipment at the Grand River Area Family YMCA. Their work was part of a week-long effort
to restore the YMCA building after a year of use. The YMCA was closed
while workers both cleaned up and fixed equipment and designated areas of the building until
the work was finished.
Y-Pals Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Dessert Auction
Banquet Benefits Y-Pals
April 12, 2011, C-T
Charlie's Angels
C-T Photos / Catherine Stortz Ripley
People from throughout the community portrayed celebrities to help drum up donations for the
YMCA's Y-Pals program during a benefit dinner and dessert auction Saturday evening,
April 9, 2011 at the Chillicothe Elks Lodge. The
event's theme was "Tropical Escape Luau", and around 35 servers were dressed as celebrities from TV shows and movies that took place in tropical climates. This included the
Charlie's Angels (Angie Gutshall, Carrie Miller, Erin Pohren and Shelley Hayen); the Skipper from
Gilligan's Island (Larry Skipper), the crew of The Love Boat, including Capt. Merrill Stubing (also known as Greg Pitchford), and many more.
Guests were also entertained throughout the evening with island music from local legend Dan
Venner. Based on early estimates, the evening netted more than $8,000, which was raised through table sponsorships and general donations, according to Y-Pals Director Sally Peterson. A dessert auction raised $1,800, which included the sale of a chocolate hurricane rum cake selling for $250. Around 170 people attended the event. The
YMCA's Y-Pals program provides mentors for children who may be in need of positive adult role models.
For more information on how you can support the
Y-PALS program or become a mentor, please contact Sally Peterson at 646-6677 or
Grand River Area Family YMCA.
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
CT 04 11 11
C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke
The annual Easter egg hunt was held Saturday,
April 9, 2011, in Simpson Park as young children scoured the grounds for the 4,000 Easter eggs, 50 containing $1 coins and one in each age group, a grand prize ticket. The Easter egg hunt is sponsored annually by the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation and Grand River Area Family YMCA and lasts only minutes as hordes of eager children race through looking for the brightly colored plastic shells.
April 7, 2011 - C-T Photo / Amanda McKay
The Program Director at the Grand River Area Family YMCA was
"preparing for the hunt" Thursday morning in his office, inserting $1 coins into 50 of his 4,000 plastic Easter eggs. The annual Easter egg hunt will be held at Simpson Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. sharp. Of the four age divisions
- between 1 and 10 years - a grand prize egg will also be hidden within the park. The grand prize is provided by the Chillicothe Parks Department.
Think
Hot: YMCA Adding Sauna
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz
Ripley
February 24, 2011
CAPTION: Dale
Gerhart, Michael Smith and Brad Coin, all from Gerhart Bricklayers, of Meadville, construct the family changing room adjacent to the Chillicothe YMCA swimming pool.
The outside temperature is still hovering toward the bottom half of the thermometer, but mercury inside the Grand River Area Family YMCA will soon be heating up
- at least in one small area of the facility. The YMCA has started construction of a sauna adjacent to the swimming pool. Also at this time, the YMCA is constructing a family changing room adjacent to the pool. Work on both projects are expected to be completed within the next couple of weeks and, perhaps, as early as the end of next week.
The sauna, a small room measuring 6 feet by 8 feet, will have an inside temperature between 160 and 180 degrees while in use, according to YMCA director Dave Rogers. There will be two benches, an upper and a lower bench, and a bucket of water with a ladle for ladling water over hot rocks to increase the feeling of heat. Saunas are known for cleansing and refreshing the body and is a way for individuals to relax.
"This is just one more thing we can offer and add value to the
membership," Rogers said. "We have been very fortunate to be able to expand and improve the
Y." Swim suits will be required inside the sauna; and the minimum age for using the sauna, just like the hot tub, is 18 years of age.
The hours of the sauna will be the same as for the swimming pool and hot tub: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. (closed, however, between 2 and 3:30
p.m.), between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 1 until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The family changing room will be particularly beneficial for parents who have opposite sex children who may be considered too old to go into the opposite
sex's locker room but who are young enough to still need assistance. The changing room will also benefit individuals who have spouses that are handicapped and need special accommodations. The changing room will also have a shower.
The cost of these two projects is expected to be between $18,000 and $20,000.
Challenge
Begins
CT 01 07 11
C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke
 CAPTION:
Gerry Gabel gets weighed in on Thursday afternoon to participate in the
Y's Get Fit Challenge.
Looking to actually tackle that New
Year's resolution this year and drop a few pounds? Well, look no further than the Get Fit Challenge, put on by the Grand River Area Family YMCA
and the Constitution-Tribune, for your motivation. The Challenge lasts eight weeks, with prizes awarded each week to the person who loses the highest percentage of weight in that seven-day span. At the end of the eight-week challenge, the person who loses the highest total percentage of body weight will win a one-year membership to the YMCA. Second place will be $200, while the third-place winner receives a free, one-year subscription to the Constitution-Tribune.
As of this morning, a total of 56 people had officially weighed in and joined the
challenge according to the YMCA's count. Weigh-ins were to conclude at 6 p.m. today.
The Get Fit Challenge runs through March 8, when the winners will be announced. Weekly weigh-ins will be held on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the Challenge period. There is no charge for participation.
Chillicotheans Use
"Y" to Keep Resolution
January 3, 2011
C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke
Several Chillicothe residents decided to take the New
Year's resolution "bull" by the horns Monday morning, hitting the gym at the local YMCA to drop those last few pesky pounds and stay in shape. Keeping physically fit is the most oft-used
resolution; however, it seems to always be the hardest to keep in check, because of the tedious nature of exercise and a good diet. Because of this, the Y is the perfect place to start, with its many distinct planned exercise methods and
regimens, and the equipment available to its members. Call (660) 646-6677 for membership information.
Chillicothe Students
Participate in YMCA Fun Day
November 9, 2010 CT
C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke
With school out for all students across the Chillicothe school district
due to teacher in-service meetings, elementary students were left wondering what to do to keep themselves busy. The answer: the YMCA Fun Day
- an event where local elementary students participate in physical exercise, fun crafts, and snack time, among other
things, at the Chillicothe YMCA during the day, while their parents are working.
YMCA
Lays Down New Running Track
Constitution-Tribune,
Posted Oct 20, 2010
C-T Photo/Amanda McKay
The Grand River Area Family YMCA
installed a new running track the week of October 18 to replace the current track that has been in place for 19 years. According to Dave Rogers, executive director,
the new track has been getting rave reviews. The new track is two
colors - a 5' width along the inside rail (walker's lane) is a
gunmetal gray, with the remaining 3' on the outside (runner's lane) a
dark blue. Earlier this summer, the track railing and upstairs
concrete floor were painted blue and gray respectively to go with the
new track colors. Also this summer, during the annual August
remodeling, a new rubber flooring was laid in the older exercise area
(see article and photo below). The new paint, flooring, and track have
significantly improved how the upstairs looks and feels. Most
importantly, the new rubberized track is 10mm thick as opposed to the
standard 8mm thickness, so it is easier on the joints whether running
or walking. The original track had lost some of its
"sponginess" and had become difficult to clean.
New Floor Upstairs at YMCA
August 05, 2010
C-T Photo/Laura Schuler
Matt Jones, program director at the Grand River Area Family YMCA stands on the walking track upstairs near the new rubber floor installed this week in the facilities original exercise room. The YMCA is closed this week for annual cleaning and refurbishing work and will open back up at regular time Monday morning.
Big Response to Back to School Event
Constitution-Tribune, July 22, 2010
Click photo to see a closer view!
The YMCA's gymnasium was filled with local students preparing for the start of
school by attending the Back to School Bonanza Wednesday afternoon,
July 21, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.. After registering, the students were given free backpacks and then they stopped at more
than 20 booths where they collected back-to-school items. There were 240 students attending the event. The bonanza began at 4:30 p.m. and went until 6:30 p.m.; however, some of the give-away items were depleted early.
The 2nd annual Back-to-School Bonanza
was sponsored by the Livingston County Health Center, Hedrick Medical Center and the University of Missouri Extension. It
was held in the Browning Gymnasium of the YMCA.
 A 'Sweet' Visit
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Photo by Kyle Jones
Participants in the YMCA summer day camp learn about the bakery business by visiting
Francine's Pastry Parlor today. While there, the group watched Francine Davenport decorate a cake and then participants were treated to a muffin.
Francine's Pastry Parlor is among several field trips being taken through the day camp program. The group has already visited Hy-Vee, Morningside Center, and the county fair and planned to visit the fire station later this morning. More trips are being planned, including a trip to the Constitution-Tribune, Citizens Bank & Trust and Grand 6 Theater. For more information about the day camp program, contact they YMCA at 646-6677.
 Successful Summer Safety Event
By Amanda McKay
Constitution-Tribune
June 07, 2010
C-T Photo/Butch Shaffer
A few youngsters have their vision checked Saturday morning, June 5, at the free
Summer Safety event held at Grand River Area Family
YMCA from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. A large crowd attended the event, which also included a free Mo-chip child identification program sponsored by the Missouri Masonic Foundation and Friendship Lodge No. 89.
[This consisted of
digital photographs, digital fingerprints, child information and
emergency contacts, dental bite impression for DNA; it is stored on a
mini-CD in an "Amber Alert" format. Parents received the CD
and two laminated ID cards. No information is retained.] Several other booths featuring information on youth summer safety were also available. Organizers say 278 children participated in the Mo-chip program.
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley
Big Day for Y-Winners Basketball
Constitution-Tribune, Monday, Jan 25, 2010
Two teams in the Grand River Area Family YMCA's Y-Winners Basketball League compete first thing Saturday morning in front of a large crowd lining the court's perimeter. According to YMCA officials, the Y-Winners league, which plays on Saturday, and the Iddy Biddy Basketball League, which plays Thursday night, includes 615 youth, up from 550 a year ago.
ARCHIVED NEWS
NOTES...
Dinner Theater Raises Over $7,000
Published: Tuesday,
April 21, 2009, C-T
 CAPTION:
Close to 120 people attended a mystery dinner theater Friday night which was held in the Family Life Center at the Chillicothe United Methodist Church. The event was held as a fund-raiser for the Grand River Area Family YMCA's Y-Pals program
- a program designed to offer mentors for children that may be in need of positive adult role models.
Submitted Photo/C-T
Close to 120 people attended a mystery dinner theater Friday night which was held in the Family Life Center at the Chillicothe United Methodist Church. The event was held as a fund-raiser for the Grand River Area Family YMCA’s Y-Pals program
- a program designed to offer mentors for children that may be in need of positive adult role models.
Organizers say that several guests came to the dinner theater dressed in costume and during the event, those in attendance tried to determine who the
"murderer" at their respective tables were by examining clues and dialog provided throughout the evening.
At the end of the event, the murder was revealed to be
"Bo Jalais." Also, according to YMCA executive director Dave Rogers, 20 local men were invited to make their favorite desserts and bring them to the event where each dessert was sold by auctioneer Lonnie Sewell.
Rogers said the desserts each sold for between $50 and $175 and the event, as a whole, raised just over $7,000 for the Y-Pals program, which operates on an annual budget of around $10,000.
Hunting Easter Eggs
Published:
Monday, April 6, 2009, C-T
 CAPTION:
Children scurried to fill their baskets during the annual community Easter Egg Hunt in Simpson Park Saturday morning. Within a few seconds, all 4,000 eggs were collected in four different areas for children ranging in age from 1 to 10 years. This Chillicothe youngster is excited when she finds surprises hidden in the eggs she collected during the hunt. The event is sponsored annually by the Grand River Area Family YMCA and the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department with support from local businesses. As part of this
year's hunt, four bikes were given away in promotion of the upcoming Tour of Missouri event.
C-T Photo/Catherine
Stortz Ripley
YMCA Basketball Starts
Published: Tuesday,
January 13, 2009, C-T
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley
 CAPTION: All basketball courts at Grand River Area Family YMCA were filled Saturday as the 2009 basketball season began. The Iddy Biddy basketball teams up through third- and fourth-grades opened the season Saturday and the Y Winners teams through seventh- and eighth-grades will start this coming Saturday. In all, there are 550 players and 63 teams. The season lasts for six weeks with begin at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m.
Punt Pass Kick
On Saturday, October 25, we hosted the Punt Pass Kick Sectional event at our YMCA. We had 33 participants ranging in age from 8-15. The regional area director attended and took the photo here of our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Pictured Left to Right: Shelby Sires of Moberly First Place in the 8-9 year old division; Kennedy Ellis of Cosby First Place in the 10-11 year old division; Allie Lemmons of
Marshall First place in the 12-13 year old division; Cyrsten Lollar of Chillicothe First Place in the 14-15 year
old division; Ashton Aronson of Chillicothe First place in the 14-15 year old division; Alex Curtis of Trenton First Place in the 12-13 year old division; Clayton McGinnes of Amazonia First Place in the 10-11 year old division; Walker Graves of Chillicothe First place in the 8-9 year old division.
YMCA Pumpkin Splash
Published:
Monday, October 27, 2008, C-T
 CAPTION:
After a dip in the pool to fetch a pumpkin, kids of all ages enjoyed painting faces, getting their face painted, sugar cookie decorating and more at the annual Grand River Area Family YMCA Pumpkin Splash, held Saturday evening.
C-T Photo/Amanda McKay
Get Set... Get Ready...
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, C-T
C-T Photo/Catherine Stortz Ripley
 CAPTION: The YMCA flag football program for youth in kindergarten through third grades got its official start with the first games of the season being played Tuesday evening at Danner Memorial Park. In all, there are 152 children in grades kindergarten through fifth-grade playing flag football. The kindergarten through third-grade teams play Tuesday nights at Danner Park and the fourth- and fifth-grade teams play Saturdays at the YMCA. For tackle football, there are four teams and 54 youth participating.
Easter Egg Hunt 2008
 An estimated 300 children gathered in Simpson Park Saturday morning for the annual community Easter Egg Hunt.
Those participating were dressed warmly with temperatures only in the lower 40s.
The event is sponsored by the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department and the Grand River area Family
YMCA.
C-T Photo/Laura Schuler
Summer Safety Event - Monday, June 23, 2008
Photo By Lisa Houtchens, C-T
C-T Photo/Butch Shaffer 01 12
08
Y-Winners Basketball
C-T Photo/Andrea Graves - Flag
Football Mini Camp 09/12/07
Christian Outreach Programs
Backpack Buddy Program 2009
Backpack Buddies
Photo by Laura Schuler, C-T
 |
CAPTION: Members of the Chillicothe R-2 Career Independence class prepare 75 back packs filled with food to go to the R-2 elementary and middle schools this (Friday) morning as part of the Grand River Area Family YMCA’s Backpack Buddies program. The program provides children in need with backpacks filled with enough food to feed them over the weekend and are sent out every Friday afternoon. Organizers say the program is in need of $3,500 in order to fill the backpacks through the entire school year. |
Press
Release July 17, 2008...
Building Strong Families
Events
- Call Sally for reservations as classes are limited to 10.
Every Thursday
evening from 6-8 p.m. Child care is available for Building Strong
Families events only. Sessions are FREE.
Youth Building Strong Families meets every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:40 pm.
Mentor Training for Newly Enlisted Mentors
All prospective mentors (Adult Y-Pals) are required to participate in Mentor Training before they are assigned a youth. Sessions are held the 1st Thursday of every month. We meet in the Multipurpose room at the
"Y" from 6:00-7:00 pm.
Healthy 'n Fit
A weight Management Program for Children and Teens
Call Sally Peterson for Assessment Appointment.
NEEDED: Men
and women with a positive attitude willing to mentor boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14. We have a waiting list
anxiously awaiting a Y-Pal. Call Sally
Peterson at 646-6677 today!
We also need
adults to transport children on Tuesdays to the YMCA for Y Club and 4H
Club. They will have a ride home.
Men and women
and college students for Summer Buddies.
If you are interested in being a candidate for the Christian
Outreach Committee, please email
Sally.
YMCA Y-Pals Schedule
Y-Club for Youth Y-Pals
Kids ages 6-14 that have applied to a Y-Pal or are currently a Y-Pal are welcome to attend Y-Club
which meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The sessions are free and refreshments are served.
LuckY-Clover 4-H CLUB meets
at the YMCA on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
New
Membership Software Program
The Grand River Area
Family YMCA converted to a new membership
software program. This new program will track program registration,
membership information, building usage, fund-raising, financed and corporate
membership. The membership database program we had been using, which
was 14 years old, was not nearly as powerful as the new system.
One of the immediate
changes that Y members will see is that they will get a new membership
card. In the past we issued new cards every year. Now members will be
a permanent card. In the past, we've asked people to show their
membership card and/or sign in when they arrive. With the new system,
each card will have a bar code, and members can just run their card
under the scanner to enter the facility. To make it easier for people
to carry their cards with them, they'll have a choice of regular
wallet-sized Y cards or key tab card they can put on their key ring.
We hope to have the conversion to the new system done by the end of
April.
YMCA New Membership Cards
March 10, 2006
 Martin Greer, YMCA maintenance director, had his picture taken on March 10 at the YMCA for a new membership card. According to Dave Rogers, YMCA executive director, all of the
YMCA's 4,125 members will have their pictures taken for new cards within the next few months. Once the photos are taken, members receive their new cards or key chain cards and the next time they visit the facility, members may present their cards to be scanned rather than going through the the current process of signing in. Rogers said that the new computerized system allows YMCA officials to check in people quickly and in large numbers.
C-T Photo by Laura Schuler 03
10 06
Hedrick Foundation
Donates $10,000 to Grand River Area Family YMCA
Wednesday, January 4, 2006 The Hedrick Foundation recently made a $10,000 donation to the Grand River Area Family YMCA in memory and appreciation of Walter T. Miller who served as a dedicated member of the foundation board for over 25 years.
Specifically, the money is directed to the endowment fund of the YMCA which will help to insure the financial security and maintenance of the YMCA facility.
Miller died in June 2005 and as a Hedrick Foundation board member, encouraged the foundation to invest in the purchase of the YMCA land and its indoor swimming pool.
 June 6, 2006
- Happy 162nd Birthday YMCA
Founder George Williams
Celebrate the YMCA's birthday, June 6th, 1844 - for
more on the YMCA Mission, visit www.ymcamission.com/.
Visit
the North Central Missouri YMCA in Brookfield!
Visit
the Carroll County Area YMCA in Carrollton!
Click here to return to
our index page.
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