faces of the gateway-mary friday

Mary Friday-The Christmas Lady

As you all well know, The Gateway YWCA  is full of beautiful, interesting people. We would like to introduce you to another one of those members. This is Mary Friday, also known as “The Christmas Lady.” She invited the 9 and 10am water exercise classes to see her Christmas trees. When we all walked in we were prepared to see a few Christmas trees, but when we entered we were overwhelmed with beautiful decorations everywhere. From beautifully decorated Christmas trees to other decorations all around the house. So, if you meet this lady in the hallways or in the pool, please say Hi! To the Christmas Lady. Take care and enjoy the Holidays,Marcus

ps-I am going to try and get some pictures of Mary’s decorations and post them before Christmas!! then we can all enjoy.

fun at the Gateway

The last few months at the Gateway YWCA have been PACKED with exciting events. Allow me to take my first visit to blogville in awhile to catch everyone up on all that has happened.

We were thrilled to host two Chris Paul events this summer. CP3  held his week long basketball camp here at the Gateway in August and then came back in September and held a basketball clinic during his Chris Paul weekend. Both events were GREAT and we were honored to have Chris include us in his homecoming festivities. GO HORNETS!!!! Good Luck this year, CP3!!

The theme of exciting, quality basketball could be found during the AAU Basketball tournaments we hosted at the Gateway. Team from all over the Southeast and beyond traveled to Winston Salem on several occassions to take part in the tournaments held at the Gateway. CP3 better watch his back because there is A LOT of talent in Winston Salem with NBA written ALL OVER THEM!!

Being that we have the BEST Aquatics Center in the Triad, it makes sense that we played host to two swim meets and have several on the schedule in the coming months.                                                                                                       Ladies Night was a huge success! When you get a group of Gateway Ladies together for a Night of Fun and Fitness Watch Out!! We had Zumba, Hoola Hoop and ended the Night with one of Chris Clodfelter’s famous Metabolic Effect Classes! Area businesses took part in the festivities, setting up tables to show off their “goods”. We truly appreciate all of them taking time to be a part of the event. Ladies Night #2 is Friday November 6th. Call for details.

And last (for the moment) was our Open House Fall Fest on October 3rd. Even though we were competing with the first day of the Dixie Classic Fair and also a Wake Forest home game, we had a great turn out and enjoyed showing our facility to all that dropped by for a visit. DJ Calvin Nash and his CREW were gracious with their time as the spun they tunes to set the mood. If you happened to miss the Open House or haven’t had the chance to come by for a visit, please remember, the Gateway YWCA’s doors are always open for you to come by for a visit. I would LOVE to show you around! Call me if you have any questions, (336) 354-1590 ext. 305. If you do the e-mail thing, my e-mail is marcusl@ywcaws.org. I look forward to talking to you. Thanks,Marcus

YWCA FALL FEST-The Proof is in the Pudding

Gateway YWCA

I don’t exactly know where the saying, “The Proof is in the Pudding” came from or for that matter, what it actually means. I know it is usually used in the context of having talked about something for so long, bragging about it and then having to back up all the “TALK” with solid evidence. Well my blogville friends, the time has come for me to “Put Up or Shut Up” and serve one big helping of Pudding on Saturday, October 3rd at the Gateway YWCA Fall Fest Open House. This will be a time where the entire community is invited to come see what all the “Fuss” is about and to see what makes the Gateway YWCA heads and shoulders above the rest!!

The event will be from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be music, games, contests, food and plenty of FUN!! Ticky Burden will be holding a free basketball skills clinic from 11:00-12:00 and then he will host a free throw tournament from 12:00-1:00. Clemmons Bicycle will be here with plenty of bikes to take Demo rides. They will also be talking about the importance of Bike Safety.

Metabolic Effect

There will also be a huge Metabolic Effect class in the gym, given by our very own Fitness Icon, Chris Clodfelter. There will also be Kids Zumba, Hoola Hoop contests with kelly Jo and much, much more!!! I will post a final schedule of events on my Monday blog. Until then, if you have any questions please call me at (336)354-1590 ext 305 or e-mail me at marcusl@ywcaws.org. Hope to see you all there. Thanks, Marcus

Marcus

practicing what I preach update-running down memory lane

I am happy to report that I am actually on a semi-regular routine in my attempt to get back into some sort of physical shape. It hasn’t been easy between a bad back and my tendancy to find excuses not to exercise, but like I said, semi-regular.

Running is my exercise of choice. I love getting outside and just running. It is a great stress relief and for me, very relaxing. Just recently, thanks to my wife Jennifer, I entered the modern era of running when she gave me an ipod. Running while listening to music really helps me to get completely zoned out from all the  distractions of everyday life and just run and  run and run. Now my playlist is one that is probably set up a little differently than most. I have songs on my running playlist that take me to different times of my life, where the song and that moment or person brought to mind by the song are one in the same in my memory banks. Yesterday was a true run down memory lane.

lynyrd_skynyrd

I always start my playlist off slow for the warm-up phase of my run. Yesterday, as I pushed play and began my run, my Mom immediately popped into my head as “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd started to play. The song talks about  how a mom just wants her son to grow up happy, enjoying life and appreciating the “simple” things. 

Kiss

 The pace picks up quick as ”Rock N Roll All Nite” by Kiss starts to blare through my Skull Candy headphones as a little sweat starts to bead on my brow. My brother Cody loved Kiss growing up. I can still see him on Christmas morning,wearing his Kiss wool pajamas, always excited when he received the newest Kiss album under the tree. Man, wouldn’t it be fun to be able to go back and really enjoy those times that went by so fast. You live and learn, right? As Gene Simmons was wrapping up his song I took a deep breath and picked up the pace as the Bay City Rollers start to spell out S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night, a song that my little league team in 1977 sang all night at our end of the season cookout.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night

I played with several people that went on to play college ball, some really good athletes! That was our families last year in Georgia before we moved to NC. I still LOVE Georgia!! Ok, now I am starting to feel the effects of having not been exercising on a regular basis and am hoping the next song picks it up a notch and thank goodness, “This Is How We Do It” by Montel Jordan comes on. This song takes me back to several great memories, back to a time when I coached tennis at the collegiate level and also to a time when I first moved to Winston, where this became the theme song for me and some of my “new” best friends(Mimi and B). Now I have my second wind and I don’t have that much more distance to cover on my run. “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns and Roses is next, and as I run and Axl Rose sings, I picture my son Cain. He is definitely my sweet child, my blessing from God and he loves Rock and Roll music. He plays Guitar and really loves all music, but likes when the song has, as he puts it, “GOOD GUITAR” which usually means hard rock. I pick the pace up, ever so slightly knowing the final 4 songs are slower and my pace will automatically slow as a cool down becomes inevitable. My favorite song of all time is next. “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler. This song is one of 100’s I used to listen to with my Dad when he would pull out his “Oldies But Goodies” Collection and play them on the living room stereo. He introduced me to the 50’s Rock n Roll music and through the years I have never lost my love for that era of music. Right behind that song is another one that plays that always brings my Dad to mind. It is by a guy named Roger Whittaker and the song is “Last Farewell”. Whittaker was another artist I remember listening to growing up and I have several of his song on my Ipod. My sisters, Kim and Shannon pop into my extremely tired head when “Let it Be” by the Beatles plays.

beatles

It’s a cool song, one that to me says, things happen, shrug them off and get back to life the way it should be, just Let IT Be. The next song, which also brings my sister Kim to mind is by Elvis Costello and is called “I write the Book”. It fits, because she is such a good writer, but the first time I heard it was when I was visiting my sister when she had moved away from home and I was still living there. I felt so big getting to “hang” with my big sis and the older crowd. I finish the run with “When I see you Smile” by Bad English. My wife Jennifer has the best smile in the world!! She keeps me going, when my run or anything else in my life gets hard. She has always been there for me and after a day or a run is over I am always excited about getting to go home and see her SMILE!! Music is a great!! It is a way to bridge gaps, jog memories etc. Please Email me your favorite running songs and the stories that go along with them.  I would love to hear them!! I’ll make a ‘Gateway YWCA’ playlist based on them. Marcusl@ywcaws.org. Thanks, Marcus

ps-I am reading a GREAT book on running right now. I HIGHLY recommend it!! The title of the book is “Born to Run”. It is about a lost tribe of  “Super Athletes” that lives in Mexico and they run because they LOVE to run. Their entire existence is based on RUNNING. It’s a true story and a Really good book!! Take care!

USA!USA!USA!USA!USA!

USA!USA!USA!

 

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

September 11th. The day that changed our course of history forever. Everyone remembers where they were when “IT” happened. Like me, I’m sure you remember the aftermath. The feelings that rushed through us, fright,saddness, anger. All of these feelings initially took hold of us and it took AMERICA a day or two to shake off those feelings. Once that happened, do you remember what happened next? The country stepped it up and let the rest of the world know that the United States of America DOES NOT PLAY! Patriotism hit an all time high. People stood at attention at ball games and actually SUNG the National Anthem. They proudly put their hand over their hearts and thought about what that song meant. The song and its words exemplifies what we are as a nation. Now, sadly, do you remember what has happened as time passes and 9/11/2001 becomes more and more a distant memory? People forget. People talk in the middle of the National Anthem, not giving it one thought why we are asked to stand and sing. Children have never been told the reason behind the song. Our soldiers are still fighting for US! And all we can do for them in return is forget, taking for granted the fact that they “got our backs” at ALL times. I know this doesn’t apply to everyone. I know there are still people out there that are PROUD on a daily basis and let it be known. Let’s try to step it back up, get that Patriotic SWAGGER back and this time, LET’S KEEP IT.  Thanks, Marcus

faces of the gateway update-gwen gale

OK, get this. I am sitting in my office today, getting some basic things done when I decided to get up and walk out to the front desk to stretch and see what was going on. When I got to the front desk, Kitty, one of our customer service people told me I had just missed Gwen Gale. She had just gotten on the elevator to go up to the second floor to take her regular class. Now, nothing is really out of the ordinary in what I have told you so far. Everyone knows I love Miss Gwen and it isn’t unusual for someone to tell me she was in the building, giving me a chance to go find her and say hi. The thing that was really out of the ordinary comes next. After Kitty told me I had just missed Miss Gwen, she followed that up by saying Miss Gwen wasn’t in her wheelchair, but was walking, with a little help from a walker when she came through the door. Immediately a lump jumped into my throat and I had to drop everything to go find “my girl”. Sure enough, when I found her, she was sitting there waiting for her 10:00 class to start with no signs anywhere of her wheelchair. That was the only thing missing when I found Gwen. What was still there was that HUGE smile that brightens my day every time I see it. What was still there was that LOVE OF LIFE that is SOOOO contagious! What was still there was the time she takes to say thanks to the people that make her feel at home at the Gateway. She loves Terry, Larry, Amottahullah and all the members she considers “family”. I hope she knows that we consider her family and everytime she now WALKS through the doors of the Gateway YWCA, she IS home. WAY TO GO GWEN!!!!  We love you, Marcus

Faces of the gateway-Audra Byers

As you all know, the Gateway YWCA has an incredible, diverse staff of Group Exercise instructors. One instructor that we are extremely proud to say we have on staff is our Yoga Instructor, Audra Byers. Audra has an incredible resume and background in the Art of Yoga. Below is a bio on her:

Audra began her studies of yoga in India where she was inspired as a backpacker to pursue the art and science of yoga. For two years she lived and studied various styles of yoga which include Iyengar, Hatha, and Ashtanga. She currently is working on her bachelor’s degree at Salem College with a psychology major and a dance minor. She incorporates her knowledge of psychology, dance, yoga, and pilates into her routines aimed at developing flexibility, strength, body awareness, and the overall ease of movement. The beginning classes introduce the body to basic forms and structures common to yoga with careful attention to postural alignment. The intermediate and advanced levels are geared for individuals familiar enough with yoga so that they are then capable of attaining a style and flow to their practice of yoga. Audra’s experience with yoga for the past six years has heightened an acute interest in physical therapy. She plans to attend WSSU for her masters in physical therapy.

With all that Audra has going on, she still always finds time to smile and stop for a quick chat when she is in the Gateway. She has an AWESOME aura about her. One everybody benefits from that is fortunate enough to meet her. She just makes the entire atmosphere better when she is at the YW. I know I look forward to saying hey to her. Please check out our schedule and make it a point to check out Audra’s class. Thanks, Marcus

solid foundations

Today is my Mom and Dad’s 47th Wedding Anniversary. By today’s standards, that is a great accomplishment. I’m sure there were times when it wasn’t easy, but I am also positive that there were times they wouldn’t trade for anything in this world. Combine all the times together and they end up with memories of a journey that brought them to where they are today. If I tried to guess or attribute one main reason to why they have made it, it’s got to be the solid foundation they started with 47 years ago. A solid foundation of love. A solid foundation of two sets of parents. Plain and simple, a SOLID foundation.

The YWCA has been around for over 100 years. Talk about a SOLID FOUNDATION!  The YW has made it through some of the toughest times this nation has ever seen. World Wars, The Great Depression, Segregation, all events in our country that we look upon as BAD times in our history, but times that did not stop the YWCA.  I have included a history of the YWCA, it is very interesting:

our history

Throughout our history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women.

1858
The first Association in the U.S., Ladies Christian Association was formed in New York City

1860
The first boarding house for female students, teachers and factory workers opened in New York, NY

1866
“YWCA” was first used in Boston, MA

1872
The YWCA opens the first employment bureau in New York City

1874
The YWCA opens a low cost summer “resort” for employed women in Philadelphia, PA

1889
The first African American YWCA branch opened in Dayton, OH

1890
The first YWCA for Native American women opened in at Haworth Institute, Chilocco, OK

1894
The United States of America, England, Sweden and Norway together created the World YWCA, which today is working in over 125 countries

1906
The YWCA was the first organization to introduce the positive health concept and sex education in all health programming

1907
YWCA of the USA incorporated in New York City

 1908
The YWCA was the first industrial federation of clubs to train girls in self- government

1915
The YWCA held the first interracial conference in Louisville, KY

1918
The YWCA was the first organization to send professional workers overseas to provide administrative leadership and support to U.S. Armed Forces  

1920
Based on its work with women in industrial plants, the YWCA Convention voted to work for “an eight-hour/day law, prohibition of night work, and the right of labor to organize”

1921
Grace Dodge Hotel completed a Washington, DC residence initially designed to house women war workers

1934
The YWCA encouraged members to speak out against lynching and mob violence, and for interracial cooperation and efforts to protect African American’s basic civil rights

1942
The YWCA extends its services to Japanese American women and girls incarcerated in World War II Relocation Centers

1944
The National Board appears at the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate hearings in support of permanent Fair Employment Practices Committee legislation

1946
Interracial Charter adopted by the 17th National Convention

1949
The National Convention pledges that the YWCA will work for integration and full participation of minority groups in all phases of American life

1955
National Convention commits local Associations and the National Board to review progress towards inclusiveness and decides on “concrete steps” to be taken

1960
The Atlanta, Georgia YWCA cafeteria opened to African Americans, becoming the city’s first integrated public dining facility

1965
The National Board of the YWCA created the Office of Racial Justice to lead the civil rights efforts

1970
The YWCA National Convention, held in Houston, adopted the One Imperative. “To trust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary”

1972
The YWCA started the ENCORE program for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery 

1982
YWCA establishes Fund For The Future

1983
The YWCA National Board urges Congress to support legislation that opposes the South African policy of apartheid

1992
The YWCA National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism began in response to the beating of Rodney King, an African American, the acquittal of four white Los Angeles police officers accused of the crime, and the subsequent riots and unrest across the country

1995
The YWCA Week Without Violence was created as a nationwide effort to unite people against violence in communities. The annual observance is held the third week of October

2001
Steps to Absolute Change was adopted. The YWCA shifted from a top down to a bottom up grassroots organization. Local associations joined regions and elected their regional representatives to the National Coordinating Board

2004
Igniting the Collective Power of the YWCA to Eliminate Racism, the YWCA USA’s Summit on Eliminating Racism, was held in Birmingham, AL

2008
The YWCA celebrates its Sesquicentennial Anniversary with the launch of the “Own It” campaign. Focused on igniting a new generation of 22 million young women aged 18 to 34 to get involved with important issues facing women and the country today

The Gateway YWCA has been developed and built through the great vision and hard work of so many that have come before myself. They have blazed a trail that makes it easy, but also an honor to carry on. As other “Health Clubs” and “Wellness” Centers crumble due to the shaky ground on which they stand, we, The YWCA will remain strong and will be here. I hope you all join with us to carry the Gateway YWCA and all that the YWCA stands for through the next 100+ years. Thanks, Marcus

SOLID FOUNDATIONS!!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY  MOM AND DAD!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH!!  Marcus

Gateway does it again….Swim Team Year Round

GATEWAY AQUATIC CENTER

Once again the Gateway YWCA is going above and beyond to seperate itself from all the “others” in the triad. Heather West, the Aquatics Coordinator of the Gateway has just announced that starting in September there will be a year round swim team. Now swimmers will be able to hone their skills year round, giving them that added advantage necessary to leap frog over their competition.

The Coach of the Sea Dragons is Alex Black. Alex is a graduate of Southern Methodist University. He held four varsity letters in swimming for the SMU Mustangs. He attended Forsyth Country Day where he was an All-American and State Champion in the Breaststroke and Butterfly.

Coach Alex has coached all levels of swimmers from age group neophytes to Senior National Qualifiers. He has also coached high school swimmers who acheived All-American status. Obviously, another GREAT addition to the staff at the Gateway.

Please come by and visit, meet Coach Alex and see all that the Gateway has to offer, both on and off of dry land. thanks,Marcus

Anyone interested in the USA Registered Swim Team for the 2009-2010 comepetive season needs to contact heather at (336)354-1590 ext. 307. There will also be an Open House on August 24th for interested participants.

faces of the gateway-Dale D’Angelo

I have bragged from day 1, since I arrived at the Gateway YWCA, how much I enjoy the fact that it is like ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY. Our staffs and members are very close knit and truly care about one another. That is quite uncommon in some work places these days. At the Gateway, everyone from the CEO down believes that taking care of the “family” or “team” is one of the most important parts of the entire operation.

I am blogging today to let everyone know that one of our “family” members needs our thoughts, our prayers and our support. Dale D’Angelo, a member of our maintainence team recently had a heart attack followed up by open heart surgery. Both of which are very serious and Dale has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Besides the fact that Dale does a great job for the YWCA and he will be sorely missed for that fact while he is out recovering, Dale is also someone that I will miss while he is gone because I enjoyed seeing him everytime he was on site at the Gateway. He is a great guy that we look forward to getting back on his feet.

I am not sure all that Dale has ahead of him, but I know it is not going to be easy for him. Please do keep him in your prayers, TRUE prayers. So many times people say I’ll be praying for you, but they don’t. Dale needs the REAL THING!! Keep him in your thoughts as well and if anyone would like more information on needs Dale might have, please e-mail me at marcusl@ywcaws.org and I will send you details or just stop by the Gateway or Glade Street YWCA. Thanks, Marcus.