Category: Personal Y Stories

Giving Back to the Next Generation

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Pictured above: Doug Meske, reading with YMCA child care children.

After devoting more than 50 years of his life to a career in family therapy, YMCA member, Doug Meske, knew that his time spent helping others was far from over. Once retired, Doug and his wife of 57 years, Rosie, decided to start volunteering their time helping at a local charity in the community, Lake Country Caring. However, even despite this outlet, something was still missing for Doug – the special interaction he once had working with families and children.

One afternoon, while walking on the indoor track at the YMCA at Pabst Farms, he noticed a long, red stroller being pushed alongside him with 6 smiling little faces beaming back at him. The joy from these happy YMCA child care babies was exactly what Doug was searching for! He decided to become a volunteer in the Y’s child care facility, working with children ages 6 weeks to 1 year old.

“Being a volunteer has truly given me a sense of purpose and accomplishment,” says Doug. “There is very little that compares to walking in and having these children crawl to me to be picked up and held. It is an absolutely wonderful feeling to know these little ones feel safe and comfortable in my presence.”

Doug also says another great feature of volunteering his time at the Y’s child care, is working alongside the incredible staff. The loving care, devoted energy and organization’s attention to detail are just a few of the reasons why parents choose the YMCA for their peace of mind. “It’s truly remarkable to be a part of,” says Doug, “and I am blessed for it.”

Pickleball – A Sport for All Ages & Abilities

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

For many Y members, the sport of pickleball can be a fun workout, as well as a wonderful social activity. Gaining in popularity over the last several years, pickleball, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, is a simple game, appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels.

That’s why you’ll find 92-year old Y member, Nelson Fischer, on the pickleball court three times a week, playing a sport that has him not only staying physically fit, but also making new friends along the way.

A YMCA member since 2015, Fischer has always been active, involved in everything from downhill skiing to various team sports. But surprisingly, if you’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to chat with Fischer, he describes his experience with pickleball as less to do with fitness, and more to do with camaraderie among fellow players.

“As you get older,” says Fischer, “you want to be around people more.”

Fischer spends a lot of his time at home, caring for his wife who suffers from dementia, and values the respite for his own well-being, by playing pickleball at the Watertown Area YMCA.

Because a pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court (you can actually convert one tennis court into four pickleball courts), gameplay allows players to be close enough to one another that they can hold conversations. 

“I’m so thankful for the friends I’ve made here, and realize how important it truly is,” says Fischer. “My time here at the Y, playing pickleball, has made me feel younger, both physically and mentally.”

To read more posts like this one, be sure to visit our main blog page at www.glcymca.org/blog.

Meet the Y Team: Dawn Liddicoat

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Here at the Y, we have a great team of staff members! We’d love for you to put a face to a name and get to know them a little better. 
Each month, we will feature a different director from either our Pabst Farms or Watertown branch locations.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity to meet our incredible Y Team! 

This month, we’d like you to meet…

Health & Wellness Director at the Watertown Area YMCA , Dawn Liddicoat.

Dawn enjoys encouraging members on their fitness journey. Here’s a bit more about Dawn…

How long have you worked for the Y?  I worked for the HAWC before it became a Y, so officially 12 years at the Y, part-time, then full-time. In this building, since before 2008, I started with teaching Pilates while I worked another job. 

My job at the Y is:  Director of Health and Wellness, so I teach fitness classes, do personal training, lead the wellness center staff and instructors, oversee the wellness center, fitness schedules, workshops and events.

Pets:  Our family dog, an English Springer Spaniel named Hallie. She will be the only pet I will ever have.

Hobbies include:  Walking, hiking and bike riding, baking and watching sports

I work for the Y because: The Y’s mission aligns with my values and supports the community that I live in. I want to be around people that have a growth mindset and enjoy supporting people in their journey to make themselves better in mind, body and spirit. 

Favorite music: I enjoy lots of different kinds of music, hymns and spiritual songs, workout music, piano, classical, pop, rock, but if I had to pick one, Top 10 from the 80’s.

Favorite movie: I haven’t watched too many movies since high school, but those that I have watched, I watched with my kids when they were little.  Toy Story and High School Musical are my top choices.

The most fun part about my job is:  Connecting with members and staff and encouraging them on their journey in a class.    

Favorite sports team: Brewers, Bucks, Badgers and Packers and teams my kids played on.

Favorite restaurant:  The Harvest Market, Café Hollander

The most meaningful part of my job is:  Seeing people gain confidence and grow in his or her skills, whether it’s an instructor learning a new class format or a member learning about a particular interest and meeting a challenging fitness goal.

Favorite way to relax:  Hiking in nature, massage, sauna and Infrared Light Therapy or just sitting outside on my back patio in the summer.

Favorite holiday:  Christmas and Easter

The biggest lesson I’ve learned while working at the Y is:  So many lessons! Community, leadership and it’s not about the money. 

Community – Until I worked for the Y, I didn’t really understand community, what it means or how it is a part of who I am but also who I serve. 

Leadership – While I didn’t have an interest or opportunity for much formal education beyond high school, I have always had a growth mind-set and I truly enjoy working.  I love how the Y supports learning about leadership, growing as a person and how to better work with others. 

Don’t work only for money – Do something you truly enjoy doing and embrace the journey of growing into the person God wants you to be. Working at the Y, you can make a difference in your community, your co-workers are your friends and you have all that you need inside yourself, you just need to discover it. 

Friendship in All Walks of Life

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Watertown Area YMCA members enjoy time spent together.

Whoever said “blood is thicker than water” certainly never met the rousing group of friends who make up the “One Big Happy Y Family” at the Watertown Area YMCA.

Coming from all different walks of life, these active senior women truly love, laugh and live well together. Celebrating everything from birthdays, graduations and holidays to hosting events and outings to welcoming one another back from a surgery or illness, they are one tight knit group of gal pals.

Nell Winkler, long-time YMCA member, considers herself lucky for being part of such a special friendship. At 76 years young, Winkler first joined the Watertown Y when it was known as the HAWC in order to start working on gaining back muscle tone and strength. Now, several years later, she says she had no idea at the time that it would lead to all the amazing friendships she has today.

“The Y has impacted me in so many ways,” she says. “I have made lovely friends. If I miss a class, it really affects my entire day. I’m so very thankful for the people at the Y and their kindness.”

Winkler says her friendships made at the Y go even further than just exercising together. “We’ve confided in one another. We’ve hugged and cried. We’ve comforted one another in times of need.”

She considers herself to be a happy, healthy senior because of what the Y has offered her both physically and emotionally.

Meet the Y Team: Cathi Dorn

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Here at the Y, we have a great team of staff members! We’d love for you to put a face to a name and get to know them a little better. 
Each month, we will feature a different director from either our Pabst Farms or Watertown branch locations.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity to meet our incredible Y Team! 

This month, we’d like you to meet…

Senior Adult Program Director at the YMCA at Pabst Farms, Cathi Dorn.

Cathi has been with the Y for over 20 years now! Here’s a bit more about Cathi…

Name: Cathi Dorn

How long have you worked for the Y? 24 years

My job at the Y is: Senior Adult Program Director, Safety Coordinator

Pets: Nala the rescue dog, Pete the bearded dragon

Hobbies include: Reading, car detailing, dog walking

I work for the Y because: No day is ever the same

Favorite music: Lynyrd Skynyrd/southern rock

Favorite movie: Inside Man (Denzel Washington, Clive Owen)

The most fun part about my job is: jovial interaction with members and staff

Favorite sports team: Formula 1 Red Bull

Favorite restaurant: Anywhere with a good breakfast for dinner

The most meaningful part of my job is: Helping to make someone’s average to lousy day much better

Favorite way to relax: Take a nap

Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving

The biggest lesson I’ve learned while working at the Y is: There still are really good people in the world

Meet the Y Team: Cameron Cudnohowski

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Here at the Y, we have a great team of staff members! We’d love for you to put a face to a name and get to know them a little better. 
Each month, we will feature a different director from either our Pabst Farms or Watertown branch locations.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity to meet our incredible Y Team! 

This month, we’d like you to meet…

Youth Program Director at the Watertown Area YMCA, Cameron Cudnohowski.

Cameron wears many different hats at the Y, but does so with lots of enthusiasm! Here’s a bit more about Cameron…

How long have you worked for the Y? June 2016

My job at the Y is:

Youth Sports Director; Supervisor of the Managers on Duty; Supervisor of the Youth/Teen Room; Supervisor of the Gymnasium; Personal Trainer; Group Exercise Instructor; Responsible for the Maintenance of the Weight Machines; Manager of the Watertown YMCA Facebook/Instagram Account

Pets: An English Cream Golden Retriever named “Thor”

Hobbies include: Jiu Jitsu, Skateboarding, Frisbee Golfing…

I work for the Y because: The Y family is the best part about working with this organization.

Favorite music: Metal and Hard Rock, my favorites are Metallica and Pantera.

Favorite movie: Jurassic Park

The most fun part about my job is: Interacting with everyone on the daily, and playing basketball with the Shuler boys.

Favorite sports team: Forever a New England Patriots fan, but Tom Brady is my favorite athlete.

Favorite restaurant: Fiesta Cancun is where my fiancé and I had our first date, but wherever I can get a margarita and a burrito.

The most meaningful part of my job is: Bringing joy to the individuals I interact with directly/indirectly with my job duties, whether its helping someone achieve their goals through fitness our providing someone a spot on a sports team with their friends.

Favorite way to relax: Cooking dinner and watching cooking shows

Favorite holiday: Halloween. I love the colors, apple picking, corn mazes, pumpkins, caramel apples, breezy weather, scary movies, and costume parties.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned while working at the Y is: Patience.

Keeping Each Other on the Path of Wellness

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

There’s an old adage, “good food, good friends, good times.” Watertown Area YMCA member, Pam Sterling, along with her tribe of fellow fitness comrades live out this expression well.

For the past 15+ years, the group of 5 women from the Watertown community have been dedicated on a regular basis to work out, fellowship and travel together, something they describe as keeping each other on the path of wellness.

It all started back in 2006, as Pam and one good friend were meeting every Saturday morning for coffee and a fitness class at the Watertown Area YMCA (formerly HAWC.) Over the years, as they continued to try new Y classes being offered, they met new women, finding camaraderie and adding to their group of steadfast workout enthusiasts, who also just happened to love a good cup of java.

“We think our early morning group gets along so well because we have a positive outlook on life. We encourage each other to try new classes and we challenge each other to keep growing,” says Pam.

From Cycling to Body Pump to Flow to Combat, no matter what the class was being offered, this group of women always found something to better their overall health.

This continued pattern of fellowship and fitness at the Y grew a tight knit bond between the five friends, eventually leading to taking vacations together to Northern Wisconsin. Exploring the Northwoods, hiking or biking, eating good food and enjoying each other’s company with time away has strengthened their relationships even deeper.

Pam says the accountability built from this strong bond is really what fuels the group to stay active together. “We all attribute our exercise habit as one reason why we feel good and are generally pretty healthy. We’ve learned about clean eating and healthy snacking from our Y teachers. But we’ve also learned about how important social connections are to our health,” says Sterling.

Even during the height of the pandemic, this commitment stayed stable, with the friends continuing to meet, socially distanced, to walk. They would bundle up and walk a good 3 miles around town, then have coffee together at home via Zoom.

Through the Watertown Area YMCA, this special group of women have found connection, support, encouragement and wellness.

Sterling adds, “As much as we like each other, we really feel like we’re part of the larger Y family. We also feel their support and encouragement to build our healthy spirits, minds and bodies!”

Meet the Y Team: Laura Ferree

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Here at the Y, we have a great team of staff members! We’d love for you to put a face to a name and get to know them a little better. 
Each month, we will feature a different director from either our Pabst Farms or Watertown branch locations.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity to meet our incredible Y Team! 

This month, we’d like you to meet…

Membership Engagement Director at the YMCA at Pabst Farms, Laura Ferree.

Laura’s dedication to Y members really shines through in all her friendly interactions at the Pabst Farms branch. Here’s a bit more about Laura…

-How long have you worked for the Y? 8 years

-My job at the Y is: My title is Engagement Director. I serve our membership department through planning and execution of member engagement and retention strategies, membership reporting and social media and communication support.

-Pets: Our dog Finley is 8 years old. He loves to eat and nap and gets super excited when you tell him it’s time for a walk.

-Hobbies include: I like to sing at church and run. I also dabble in pottery, painting and sewing.

-I work for the Y because: I’ve always believed in the importance of community building and was excited when we moved to Oconomowoc to be part of the Y community. Working at the Y has helped me get to know the community better and I love supporting a place that so many people see as their second home.

-Favorite music: I listen to a wide variety of music and often change it up based on the season, activity or mood.

-Favorite movie: I like folding laundry to a good romcom. I don’t really have a favorite.

-The most fun part about my job is: I really like working on a team so the best parts of my job are when I’m collaborating to get something big done.

-Favorite sports team: I root for the Packers.

-Favorite restaurant: I like to go out for Mexican or any place with a patio in the summer.

-The most meaningful part of my job is: Getting to hear member’s stories. Sometimes when you’re doing the daily routine, it can be easy to forget that the Y is really important to people or that it has helped them grow and change. I love to hear about what the Y means to folks.

-Favorite way to relax: I like being outside to relax. You might also find me curled up on the couch with a cup of tea.

-Favorite holiday: I get pretty jazzed for Christmas, but I think Thanksgiving is my favorite. The past few years have made us rethink how we celebrate and given our family an opportunity to make our own traditions and try new things. I also really just love the food.

-The biggest lesson I’ve learned while working at the Y is: The staff team at the Y is really focused on how our culture can live out the Y values and that’s give me a lot of practice in grace filled service. In a world that can be harsh and contrary, it feels unique to work at a place that prioritizes serving member and each other with love.

Meet the Y Team: Sharon Kurkiewicz

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Here at the Y, we have a great team of staff members! We’d love for you to put a face to a name and get to know them a little better. 
Each month, we will feature a different director from either our Pabst Farms or Watertown branch locations.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity to meet our incredible Y Team! 

This month, we’d like you to meet…

Membership Engagement Director at the Watertown Area YMCA, Sharon Kurkiewicz.

Sharon’s dedication to Y members really shines through in all her friendly interactions at the Watertown branch. Here’s a bit more about Sharon…

-How long have you worked for the Y? 8 years

-My job at the Y is: Membership Engagement Director

-Pets: 1 cat, Shelby

-Hobbies include: Bike riding, hiking, playing volleyball, paddle boarding and kayaking.

-I work for the Y because: Its mission makes sense for my life, beliefs and core values.

-Favorite music: Pop

-Favorite movie: Forrest Gump

-The most fun part about my job is: The conversations I have with the members.

-Favorite sports team: I love to watch AVP women’s volleyball. Favorite all time player is Misty May!

-Favorite restaurant: Café Manna

-The most meaningful part of my job is: Connecting with members on a regular basis and knowing more than their name.

-Favorite way to relax: Paddle boarding

-Favorite holiday: Christmas

-The biggest lesson I’ve learned while working at the Y is: You can make a difference, even in the smallest of measure, in someone’s life!

Meet the Y Team: Emily Lopez

Posted on Updated on by Katie Anderson

Here at the Y, we have a great team of staff members! We’d love for you to put a face to a name and get to know them a little better. 
Each month, we will feature a different director from either our Pabst Farms or Watertown branch locations.
We hope you enjoy this new opportunity to meet our incredible Y Team! 

This month, we’d like you to meet…

Health and Wellness Director at the YMCA at Pabst Farms, Emily Lopez.

Emily’s contagious smile matches her friendly personality! Here’s a bit more about Emily…

-How long have you worked for the Y? Since June 2021

-My job at the Y is: Health & Wellness Director

-Pets: 1 Pup – George

-Hobbies include: Working out, Coaching Lacrosse, Going to concerts & live sporting events

-I work for the Y because: At first, I just needed a job that was in my field and would allow for personal and professional growth. Now, a year later, I work at the Y because it truly feels like home and I cannot imagine working anywhere else! 

-Favorite music: Country, but I listen to everything.

-Favorite movie: Fever Pitch

-The most fun part about my job is: Hanging out with some of the most fun, energetic people I’ve ever met.

-Favorite sports team: Is that even a question? GO PACKERS!

-Favorite restaurant: Uncle Julio’s Mexican 

-The most meaningful part of my job is: Being a part of someone’s health and wellness journey. If I am helping in any capacity, then I’ve won.

-Favorite way to relax: Drinking coffee on my back patio.

-Favorite holiday: Christmas

-The biggest lesson I’ve learned while working at the Y is: The Y loves everyone. We are a safe, welcoming environment for anyone in our community and will call this home to whomever walks through the doors. I have never felt acceptance like I do here.