Who, What, When – and Y

Community news and views from the Westport Weston Family Y

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Halloween Parade and Spooktacular, Oct. 27-28

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by:Family Y

Midge’s Membership Blog:

Follow up our Fall Family Fiesta with the Family Y's Halloween Spooktacular on Friday, Oct. 28.

Driving along the streets of Westport, you can’t help but notice that change is in the air. It is in the crispness of the wind in the morning, and the rust, dandelion, amber colors of the changing leaves. It is also in the huge smiling pumpkins sitting out on porticos and in the witches, goblins and ghosts strung up on branches and draping rooftops.

Halloween!

It is a holiday that every child and adult loves, an excuse to dress up as your favorite fantasy character or unleash your inner ‘fashionista.’

It is a time to share in ghoulish storytelling, go on a hayride, visit a haunted house and strut your costume down Main Street on Thursday afternoon for the annual Children’s Halloween Parade sponsored by the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Downtown Merchants Association and Westport Police Athletic League.

Children 7 years old and younger, along with their parents, should meet at 3 p.m. in front of the Westport Weston Family Y, corner of Main Street and Post Road.

This little Y tyke is dressed for the occasion!

The gremlins, goblins and ghouls, et al, will proceed up Main Street, along Avery Drive, and then to Town Hall. Entertainment, refreshments and a small gift will be provided to participants on Veterans Green.

There will be no traffic parking on Main Street between 2 and 4 p.m. while this parade is taking place. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved into the Westport Town Hall beginning at 3 p.m.

This should prove ample preparation for our own Family Y Halloween Spooktacular on Friday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Kids ages 10 and under are invited to participate in a costume contest, Halloween crafts, haunted hallway, bobbing for apples, fortune telling, Witches Cottage and more!!!

EVERYONE is invited, Y members and non-members alike. Please check in first at our Membership Desk; $5 each; $15 for family of 4; $5 each additional child.

Hope to see you then! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Westport EMS Tops 1,000 Mark in Heartsaver CPR First Aid Training in 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011 by:Family Y

Jay Parentsky of Westport Volunteer EMS and Joe Query, the Family Y's Director of Human Resources.

Jay Paretsky of the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (left) congratulates Joe Query, Director of Human Resources at the Westport Weston Family Y, on becoming the 1,000 person to receive American Heartsaver CPR/First Aid training from the Westport EMS so far this year.

The agency conducts certified American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR classes for Westport residents and town employees as well as others in neighboring communities. The courses cover adult, child and infant CPR obstructed-airway management and training and practice on automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The agency’s CPR and first-aid training programs are supported by contributions to Westport Volunteer EMS and class fees. Westport EMS has given two classes in October at the Family Y, treating Y staff as they do Town staff and providing the classes at no cost. Visit www.westportems.org for the schedule and fees for upcoming classes.

In the photo below, Denise Stevens, who works in the Family Y’s Finance Dept., gets instruction from Jay Paretsky of the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services on how to an automated external defibrillator (AED) during an American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR First Aid class at the Family Y on Oct. 20.

In August, Family Y staffer Michael Friedman used one of the Family Y’s AEDs to successfully revive the victim of sudden cardiac arrest in the Y’s gymnasium. Friedman, a former emergency medical technician with the Weston Fire Department who works in the Y’s Fitness Center, credited the AED, and the training he’s received, not just from the Weston Fire Department as an EMT, but also at the Y.

“This man went home because of this truly incredible machine and the people who are trained to use it,” said Friedman. “If that’s not evidence that people should learn CPR and have an AED around, I don’t know what is.”

The Family Y's Denise Stevens practices using an AED.

Water Rats Hit the Water at Season-opening Meet

Friday, October 21, 2011 by:Family Y

The Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team is a year-round, nationally recognized competitive swim program organized and operated by the Aquatics Department of the Family Y.

The Family Y's 8 & Under Boys team suit up for their first meet of the season on Sunday, Oct. 23.

With a roster of more than 200 children, the Water Rats are one of the largest swim teams in New England. Our team members acquire excellent swimming skills, make new friends and learn how to set goals while developing self-discipline and self-confidence.

The Water Rats compete in Y competition at the local level through dual meets and at the state and national level. The team is also a registered USA Swimming Team sanctioned by Connecticut Swimming, Inc. and competes in USA competitive swimming at the local, regional, state, zone and national level.

The Westport Weston Family Y Water Rat Swim Team embraces a team philosophy that commits it to develop the highest level of competitive excellence for every swimmer, while simultaneously encouraging spirit, honesty, team pride, personal commitment and individual growth.

The Water Rats’ first meet of the season is Sunday, Oct. 23, when the WRAT 8 & Under swimmers take to the pool at 9 am.

A young Water Rat swimmer at practice.

Allow us to share portions of a “Meet 411″ note that 8 & Under coach John Scaldini recently sent to the swimmers’ parents. It’s a great snapshot of our swimmers’ preparations, as well as the direction they get from our fantastic coaching staff:

“Every year we start off the meet season with our 8 & under meet. We do this so our swimmers are in a familiar comfortable environment which will hopefully take off the first-meet jitters,” writes coach Scaldini. “The first and most important thing to remember is that swim meets are supposed to be fun. They are the best part of being on a swim team. Meets are a chance to show off your skills, enjoy competition, and hang out with your teammates.

“Times and speed is the least important result of this meet,” coach Scaldini continues. “Coach Barb [Pennington] and I are not concerned with how fast your swimmer races. We are focused on their stroke technique and legality. Legal finishes, turns, and strokes are what are most important during this phase of the season for both returning and brand-new swimmers. We also want to make sure every swimmer has a good time during the meet. We want this to be the first of many positive competitive meet experiences where your child feels strong and productive…”

Good luck, coach John and Barb — we know our young Water Rats are in good hands and will do their best. (and have fun!)

For more information about the Water Rats and Family Y Aquatics program, please click here.

Fun for All at the Fall Family Fiesta

Monday, October 17, 2011 by:Family Y

The Family Y's gymnastics team gave a special performance at Fall Family Fiesta.

The Family Y’s sixth annual Fall Family Fiesta, held on Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Y’s 32-acre Mahackeno Outdoor Center, was a tremendous success. Huge thanks to all our supporters, special guests like the Zac Foundation, Westport EMS and VMS, and to all our members, friends and neighbors.

We’ll have more updates and photos soon, but in the meantime, please check out Mike Lauterborn’s reporting and photos in the Westport News. Here’s how his account begins:

It was a day of fall family fun with full cooperation from a fine, sunny forecast.

The Westport Weston Family Y hosted the seasonal frolic Sunday at Camp Mahackeno.

Check out the accompanying photo gallery to see some of the fun.

Family Fun — and More — at Mahackeno on Sunday

Friday, October 14, 2011 by:Family Y

Decorating child-size sugar pumpkins is just part of the fun at Fall Family Fiesta, Sunday, 1-4pm at Mahackeno Outdoor Center.

The joyous shouts and happy clamor that resonate all summer long at Camp Mahackeno return for an autumn afternoon when the sixth annual Fall Family Fiesta takes place on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1 pm to 4 pm. The Family Y’s signature fall family event is free and open to everyone in the community.

There’s more than food, fun and games at this year’s Fall Family Fiesta: The Family Y is pleased to host a Flu Clinic Program provided by Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut. Additionally, Jay Paretzky of Westport Emergency Medical Services will conduct a series of “hands-only” CPR classes throughout the day.

For details, including parking information, please click here.

Parents Night Out, Friday, Oct. 14

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 by:Family Y

The Family Y's Gymnastics Center is open for kids ages 5-13 while their parents enjoy a "Friday date night."

Give yourselves an evening out on the town (or a quiet dinner at home), while your children are having fun of their own at the Family Y. Our Parents Night Out is 5:30-9:30 pm on Friday, Oct. 14 and costs $25 for Y members; $35 for non-members. Drop off and pick up is at the Gymnastics Center (entrance from the Baldwin Parking Lot) and please make sure your kids eat dinner beforehand.

Children ages 5 to 13 can take part in fun gymnastics (no experience necessary), games, a craft project and a snack. And pack along a suit and towel for an open swim (children must be able to swim without a floatation device.) Register at Membership Services or online.

The Most Fun-Filled Family Y Weekend of the Year

Monday, October 10, 2011 by:Family Y

Mark your calendars for the most fun-filled Family Y weekend of the year:

Fun time in the Family Y's Gymnastics Center, while the folks are enjoying "Parents Night Out."

On Friday evening, Oct. 14, drop the kids off at the Y for fun and games in our Gymnastics Center and a swim while you enjoy a special Parents Night Out. Children ages 5 to 13 can take part in fun gymnastics (no experience necessary), games, a craft project and a snack. And pack along a suit and towel for an open swim. (Children must be able to swim without a floatation device.) Drop off after 5:30 pm and pick up by 9:30 pm, both at the Gymnastics Center (entrance from the Baldwin Parking Lot). Please make sure your kids eat dinner beforehand. The cost is $25 for Y members; $35 for non-members.

On Saturday, we host Youth Fun Night, with all the usual fixin’s like swimming, basketball and make-your-own sundaes, plus an array of new table games, from Foosball to Pop-a-Shot basketball to three- and six-player air hockey. It’s just for students in grades 4-7, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

Last month’s YFN was jam-packed, with more than 130 kids. This time, we’ve got some exciting new activities to bring to the party: We’re turning the Lower Gym into an arcade plaza, with foosball, ping pong, a “Pop-a-shot” basketball station and two air hockey games — one for 3 players and the other for six-person contests.

And, of course, kids can also swim, play hoops and make their own sundae with all the fixins’. The cost is $12 prepurchased at the Y or online; $15 at the door. Youth Fun Nights are open to all kids, not just Y members. For details or to volunteer (children of volunteers get in free), call Jacquie Tumminia at 203-226-8981 or email her at jtumminia@westporty.org.

Painting faces -- and sugar pumpkins -- is part of the fun at Fall Family Fiesta.

Sunday marks our sixth annual Fall Family Fiesta, an afternoon of free food, fun and games at Mahackeno that takes place on from 1 pm to 4 pm. The Family Y’s signature fall family event is free and open to everyone in the community.

For details, including parking information, please click here for the full story posted previously on our “Who, What, When — and Y” blog.

All of these special events and festivities are open to every member of our community, so by all means, extend a Family Y welcome to your friends and neighbors so that they can join in the fun.

Membership Appreciation Week: Our Way of Saying, ‘Thanks’

Sunday, October 9, 2011 by:Family Y

Midge’s Membership Blog:

Monday, October 10 (Columbus Day) Membership Appreciation Week kicks off with a hot dog roast at noon. Meet us right in front of the Bedford Lobby main entrance and grab a dog off the grill!

Tuesday, October 11, bring a non-member friend FREE for the day and take advantage of our entire facility – swimming, fitness center, group fitness classes, etc.

Wednesday, October 12, shake that body in one of our wellness classes. Your choices for that day are:

–5:45 – 6:30 am Total Body Conditioning

–6:30 – 7:30 Sunrise Yoga

–9:00 – 10:00 Spin

–8:30 – 9:30 Dance Fusion

–9:30 – 10:30 Two for One

–10:00 – 10:15 Yoga Stretch

–10:30 – 11:45 Hatha Yoga

–10:45 – 11:45 Pilates

–12:00 – 1:00 pm Feldenkrais

– 5:30 – 6:30 Vinyasa Yoga

– 6:30 – 7:30 Zumba

–6:30 – 7:15 Spin

Thursday, October 13, is our Racquet Sports Day.” We have two racquetball courts and one squash court and you must sign up for court time. Call Membership Desk to reserve your spot – 203-226-8981

Friday, October 14, we end the week with healthy fruit snack at the front desk.

In truth, EVERYDAY is Membership Appreciation Day! If it weren’t for you, our members, there would be no Y. Thank you for supporting us!

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