Category Archives: YMCA

It’s Now Allen Raymond Lane

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 7 Comments

It’s not easy telling an 89-year-old something he doesn’t already know.

But Allen Raymond was genuinely surprised yesterday afternoon. The Westport Y told the former board president it’s renaming the entry road to Mahackeno — the future site of the Y itself — “Allen Raymond Lane.”

The announcement — and presentation of an actual road sign — came at a party celebrating the trustee emeritus’ 89th birthday.

Allen Raymond: The man, and his sign. (Photo by Scott Smith)

Celebrants noted that the year 1923 marked 2 very special events: the opening of the Y in downtown Westport, and the birth of Allen Raymond.

“For the past 88 years, these 2 ‘local institutions’ have remained steadfast in their commitment and dedication to our community and its residents,” Y officials said. “Allen truly embodies the heart and soul of Westport and the Family Y.”

The Y is only one of Raymond’s many civic commitments. In the 1950s he was instrumental in the town’s purchase of Longshore, and development as a town park. He’s devoted countless hours months years serving the Library, Westport Historical Society and Earthplace, among many other organizations.

But it was the Y that honored him yesterday.

Allen Raymond

Rob Reeves — who also knows Raymond through the Green’s Farms Congregational Church and Rotary — credits him with “getting me up to speed quickly” when Reeves took over as the Y’s CEO.

“Allen told me a lot about the history of Westport, and the Y,” Reeves says. “He brought me around, and introduced me to people the Y has been important to. He was such an important connection.”

But despite Raymond’s fondness for (and many links) to history, he is hardly stuck in the past. “He speaks often about how change is good,” Reeves notes. “He’s not afraid of moving forward.”

Renaming Sunny Lane “Allen Raymond Lane” is perfectly good change, Reeves adds.

“Allen has said that when he was a kid, his goal was to live in Westport.

“He not only did that — he also made Westport better in so many ways.

“We’re honored to be able to give something back to him, in some small way, for all he’s done for the Y, and for Westport.”

Click below for a YouTube video: Y chairman Jim Marpe surprising Allen Raymond with the news of his new lane.

→ 7 Comments

Posted in Library, Longshore, Looking back, Organizations, People, Places, YMCA

Tagged , , , , , ,

The Y Has Already Moved

Posted on January 14, 2012 | 13 Comments

To a new logo, that is.

It’s part of the national Y’s “new brand strategy,” which includes the 1st updated logo in 43 years, and “a new focus on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

Ta-da!

It replaces, of course:

Too much excitement for one day, I know.

But — for those who care about such things — here is the back story to this spectacular new step forward in logo designs. All quotes are guaranteed verbatim, from the Westport YMCA:

The Family Y has rolled out this new look in stages over the past several months, installing the new logo and signage throughout our historic home in downtown Westport. We’re in the process of updating our communications materials, team uniforms and business documents.

Says Family Y CEO Rob Reeves: “ As a local affiliate of the Y, the Westport Weston Family Y is excited about the new brand strategy and the opportunity to engage more people in the areas of healthy living, social responsibility and youth development. There are many exciting changes taking place at our own Family Y, and this new strategy is perfectly aligned with our ongoing efforts to build something that truly matters – a sustainable new home at our 32-acre Mahackeno Outdoor Center.”

The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967, and was the organization’s 6th since its inception 160 years ago. The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the 10,000 communities it serves across the country.

So, “06880″ readers: What do you think?

→ 13 Comments

Posted in YMCA

Tagged

Post-Fire, Saugatuck Nursery School Still Thrives

Posted on December 31, 2011 | 1 Comment

The pre-Thanksgiving fire at Saugatuck Congregational Church did more than inflict heavy damage on the 178-year-0ld building, and force relocation of services for the foreseeable future.

It also drove 35 children, ages 2 to 5, from their “home.”

That home is the Saugatuck Nursery School. Since its founding 43 years ago, it has served youngsters from Westport and surrounding towns — some of them minorities, some from less privileged circumstances than Westporters.

On April 4, 1968 Florence James Shook was enjoying a Tougaloo College choir concert at Carnegie Hall. She heard the news that Rev. Martin Luther King had just been killed. Driving home, she vowed to do something. She soon helped create the Saugatuck Nursery School, to carry on his dream.

This past October, Florence died. The month before, the nursery school had added a 3rd classroom, an $80,000 project — what director Ellen DeHuff calls “the beautiful Purple Room.”

On November 20 it — and the other school classrooms and offices — suffered smoke and water damage. Gone too were books, toys, arts and crafts supplies, computers — “everything you need to run a pre-school,” DeHuff says.

Almost immediately, the Westport Y offered space: 3 childcare classrooms that were not in use. In what DeHuff calls “Extreme Pre-School Makeover,” her staff of 10 spent several hours brightening the rooms for their kids.

The Y also provided equipment. Many Westporters offered books, toys and furniture — but there is no place to store them. (DeHuff suggested cash donations, so equipment can be bought later.)

The children use the Y gym. They also walk across the street to Christ & Holy Trinity Church, enjoying its playground for hour a day.

The nursery school staff is now working to gain church and town approval to use modular equipment in the church parking lot.

“It’s different, but the kids are loving it,” DeHuff says of the changes.

But the fire was “devastating” to the staff.

Still, she says, there are benefits to the disaster. Beyond the help offered by the community, there’s this.

“We realize more than ever that it’s not the building that makes Saugatuck Nursery School what it is,” says De Huff. “It’s the families and staff.”

These are challenging days for us. But together, we’re all making the pre-school work.”

And work very, very well.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Children, Downtown, People, religion, YMCA

Tagged , , , ,

The Giving Tree

Posted on December 4, 2011 | 1 Comment

The Christmas tree in the Westport YMCA lobby does not look particularly imposing.

Pushed up against a wall, it’s average-size.  The silver decorations and twinkly lights are pretty basic.

But look closer, because this is a special tree.

Pinned to the branches are dozens of tags.  Each bears the wish of a local child whose family faces tough times.

“Girl, 15 years,” says one.  “Gift certificate to Marshall’s.”

“Boy, 6 years,” reads another.  “Mittens or gloves.”

And this simple request:  “Girl, 3 years.  Toy.”

To give a gift for any child on the tree, just bring it to the Y’s front desk by next Monday (December 12).

The Y has endured plenty of controversy recently.  But issues like leaving downtown and the adequacy of Mahackeno’s sewage systems pale in comparison to the simple holiday wishes of local kids in a time of need.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Children, Economy, YMCA

Tagged

Y Offers Warmth On A Cold Day

Posted on October 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Westport Family Y has opened its doors (and showers) to Westporters who are without power following yesterday’s (ugh) snowstorm.

Non-members are welcome to warm up, clean up, and charge their electronic devices today at the Y.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Weather, YMCA

Tagged

Y Property Q And A

Posted on October 29, 2011 | 6 Comments

Bedford Square — developers of the downtown YMCA property and the adjacent parcel at 35 Elm Street — will hold a “roundtable discussion” this Wednesday (November 2, 7-9 p.m.) in the Y’s Bedford Room.

Partners say they and their architects will “clear up any misperceptions and fears about the project, discuss the project’s preliminary design ideas and listen to the community’s questions.”

Light refreshments will be served.  Along with heavy questions.

What will the YMCA and nearby properties look like in the future?

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Downtown, YMCA

Tagged ,

35 Church Lane

Posted on October 14, 2011 | 96 Comments

First came a text amendment to permit a 60-foot movie theater downtown.

The next proposed change involves 35 Church Lane — the Victorian building next to the YMCA.

Next Thursday (October 20, 7 p.m., Town Hall ), the Planning and Zoning Commission meets to discuss a zoning map amendment that would permit a developer’s request to permit a building almost 4 times the size of what’s currently allowed.

Four times the size.  On a narrow, traffic-clogged, 1-way street.

The handsome building now houses several offices.

In the application, the developer says he will explore “several possible amendments to the zoning regulations.”

What are they?

How would they change downtown?

What will happen next?

And — most importantly — what do Westporters think of all this?


→ 96 Comments

Posted in Downtown, YMCA

Tagged

Honor Among Thieves

Posted on September 21, 2011 | 10 Comments

You never know what’s inside a letter with no return address.  A complaint?  Something crazy from a former lover?  Anthrax?

The other day, the Westport Y got an anonymous letter.  It read:

To whom it may concern,

About 20 years ago I was a kid and a friend and I stole money from the lockers at your Y.

As kids it was a lot of money but as adults it is not that much.  $1-$5 here and there over a period of a few weeks.  One time we did take a $100 dollar bill.

I only feel it is right to give back what I had taken.  I am including a money order for what I feel is my portion of what was stolen from these innocent people just using the locker room at the local YMCA.

Feel free to utilize it in any was possible as I am sure you would not be able to personally give it back to any of the victims.

Thank you.

Surprised and grateful Y officials have earmarked the donation — a money order for $150 — for their annual “Strong Kids” campaign.

They may list the donor as “Anonymous Thief.”

The letter, and the check.

→ 10 Comments

Posted in YMCA

Tagged

Library and Y Are Open…

Posted on August 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

…so let the charging of electronic devices begin!

The Westport Y adds that non-members are welcome for “showers and respite.”

It’s great that both institutions are so receptive and pro-active to the needs of the community.

And we’re sure that as soon as Maxine Bleiweis finds a way, she’ll add showers to the list of the many services the library provides.

Reading in the showers.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Library, Weather, YMCA

Tagged , ,

Life At The Y

Posted on August 15, 2011 | 19 Comments

Last Friday was a typical summer day at the Y.  Swimmers swam; cyclists cycled; basketball players basketballed.

Suddenly, around noon, a player in one of those pickup hoops games dropped to the floor.

He was in full cardiac arrest.

A fellow player — the guest of a member, who is a nurse — began chest compressions.  Others ran for help.

Michael Friedman

Michael Friedman — a health and wellness specialist in the fitness center — was standing in the doorway.  Like every Y staffer — from the CEO on down — he’s been trained and regularly re-certified in both CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) use.

Michael grabbed the nearest AED unit — there are 3; this one was by the membership desk — and ran to the gym.

Ignoring a large head gash — sustained when the man collapsed — Michael checked for vital signs.  All were negative.  There was no pulse.

He attached the AED.  It recommended a shock.  He followed the prompts, and administered one.  Immediately, cardiac rhythm was restored.

“That’s a blessing,” Michael says.  “The best blood pump in the world is your own heart.  He wasn’t without a pulse for very long.”

Michael secured the man’s airway.  Then he and membership coordinator Steve Forlano attended to his  head wound.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Y staff followed the exact protocol they train for.  The membership desk called 911.  Someone waited outside to escort emergency personnel through the maze of hallways to the gym.

When firefighters, police and EMTs arrived, they took over.  Soon, the man was on his way to Norwalk Hospital.

The next day, his fianceé called the Y to thank everyone.  He could have died, she said.  Instead he had an angioplasty (and 17 stitches in his head), and will be fine.

He’ll be released from the hospital tomorrow.

Michael has a special background.  He spent 20 years with Weston’s fire department and EMTs.  But, he insists, “anyone in the building would have done what I did.

“It was a real team effort.  There were so many people involved.  I still don’t know all their names.

“There was an awesome continuum of care,” he adds. “From the minute he hit the floor to the end result, he had excellent care.

AEDs -- with clear instructions on how to use them -- save lives.

“AEDs were in place.  We were trained to use them.  Westport EMTs are some of the best in the country, so the pre-hospital help was fantastic.  And then Norwalk Hospital followed up with more great care.”

Michael concludes:  “I feel proud of the Y, and the team effort that took place.  I’m just glad I could take the training we’re all given, and apply it when it was needed.”

Michael had the weekend off.  He returns to the Y this week.

Soon, he’ll move to part-time status.  He’s headed to Norwalk Community College, taking courses in physical therapy.

He could probably skip the first-aid portion of the curriculum.

Then again, Michael Friedman never would.

→ 19 Comments

Posted in People, Police, YMCA

Tagged , , , , ,