When members of Live Y’ers journey to activities in the coming year, they will be sticking closer to home. “Because of the energy crisis, we are doing many more things locally,” reports volunteer program director B.J. Cox. “We’ve had to double the cost of riding the van.”

While the club is organized by Southeastern Indiana YMCA, “people do not have to be members of the Y to come. Everybody over 50 is welcome with open arms,” she says.

The group’s goal is “to try to do something different, spice up our lives a little bit.”

“One of the more exciting trips ... will be the tour of the (former) Proving Grounds” south of Versailles . “It’s like a hidden history book of the World War II era. Apparently, that place was really buzzing during the war. Margaret Wilson worked there and will be a tour guide,” according to Cox.

Live Y’ers will watch musicals at two theaters they’ve never gone to before, La Comedia in Springboro, Ohio, and American Cabaret in Indianapolis.

Before the volunteer and SIY marketing director Cathy Sullivan, the Live Y'ers coordinator, winnowed the options down, “I called 50 different places and had them send me their itineraries for the coming year.”

That’s when Cox learned about “a group in Cincinnati that plans tours. One is Germany. I think that will be fun.”

They don’t always travel. Members will celebrate the Year of the Cow during a catered Chinese New Year luncheon at SIY. Those up for a side trip can carpool to the Cincinnati Asian Market to buy decorations beforehand.

Live Y’ers meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the group’s room on the ground floor, then dine at a local restaurant.

Three groups zero in on specific interests. Bridge players meet there every Monday at 10 a.m. According to Cox, “We’ve taught a lot of people to play bridge. Some people just need a refresher.” Interested persons may just show up.

Members of the book club led by Pam Scheele meet in the Live Y’ers room on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. “She does such a fabulous job,” Cox notes.

About 20 sign up each April to go to the Indianapolis Symphony Coffee Pops Series. Other music lovers can be added to the sub list.

Members range in age from 50 to 80-plus. Although many are women, “we are getting more men all the time,” she says. Participation ranges from five to 25 depending on the activity.

“The Live Y’ers really do a lot in the way of philanthropy,” according to Cox.

Members donate to the Rural Alliance for the Arts and Ripley County Community Foundation auctions and SIY's Strong Kids campaign and also sell luminaries at the Ripley County Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society.

For about six years, some members have packed shoe boxes full of practical and fun items that are gender and age specific for Operation Christmas Child.

Another holiday tradition is helping serve a Thanksgiving dinner to 100 children who are cared for at SIY and 200 members of their extended families. According to the program director, “It's a huge undertaking. The Live Y'ers have always enjoyed it tremendously.”

Proceeds from three bake sales will be used to make donations, pay drivers and purchase some food and decorations.

Live Y’ers meetings and clubs are free to SIY members. Annual memberships are income based, says Sullivan.

Nonmembers need to purchase day passes at $9 for seniors 62 and up and $12 for others. If an SIY bus is used for transportation, that cost is $12 for members and $24 for nonmembers.

The social aspect of Live Y’ers is a definite plus. Cox explains the reason some participate is “for the companionship. This is the place where they make new friends.”

Attendees “have a lot of different interests. I would say they are the kind of people who want to continue learning their whole lives ... and experience something new.”



Schedule

A full year’s schedule of activities may be picked up at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA front desk. Payments also can be made there. Reservations and info: 934-6006.

September

Sept. 10, 11 a.m., “The Full Monty,” La Comedia Dinner Theatre, Springboro, Ohio, $40/$46 (signup deadline has passed)

Sept. 29, noon, Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (the former Jefferson Proving Grounds), southern Ripley County, LaRosa’s for dinner after, carpool $6/$12, signup deadline Sept. 5

October

Oct. 19, 1:30 p.m., “Solid Gold Soul – Motown,” American Cabaret Theatre, Indianapolis, dinner at the Rathskellar Restaurant after, $27/$39 (transportation included, but dinner is not), signup deadline Oct. 3

Oct. 27, Wolf Creek Habitat, Brookville, freewill offering, carpool $6/$12

November

Nov. 17, bake sale, YMCA lobby, signup at Nov. 5 meeting; Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes turned in

Nov. 26, 10:45 a.m., serving at children’s Thanksgiving dinner, gray floor gym

December

Dec. 23, 6 p.m., candlelight dinner with special Christmas menu, Hillcrest Country Club, call B.J. Cox at 934-4535 for reservations by Dec. 5 at noon

January

Jan. 26, noon, Chinese New Year luncheon, Live Y’ers Room, cost to be announced, call B.J. Cox at 934-4535 for reservations by Jan. 16 at noon

February

Feb. 9, bake sale, YMCA lobby, signup at Feb. 4 meeting

Feb. 14, 6 p.m., Valentine Dinner with special holiday menu, Hillcrest Country Club, call B.J. Cox at 934-4535 for reservations by Feb. 6 at noon

March

March 18, 11:15 a.m., “Camelot,” La Comedia Dinner Theatre, Springboro, Ohio, $63.40/$75.40 (transportation included), signup deadline Nov. 6 at noon

April

April 8, “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy,” Aronoff Center, Cincinnati, details to be announced

April 22, movie at Western Hills, Ohio, and dinner at Market Square, Harrison, Ohio, details to be announced, carpool $6/$12, signup deadline April 3 at noon

May

May 4, bake sale, YMCA lobby, signup at April 1 meeting

May 20, 11:30 a.m., lunch at Rileybrook, Metamora, $18, carpool $6/$12

June

June 12, 10:15 a.m., go to Germany without a passport, lunch at Mecklenburg Garden, Cincinnati, under 100-year-old grape vines, pay there, then tour St. Mary’s Bavarian Church, circa 1850, freewill offering, transportation $12/$24, signup deadline June 5

July

Date to be announced, pitch-in picnic at Jerry Bennett’s bed and breakfast in Franklin County, carpool $6/$12, signup deadline June 3 at noon

August

Aug. 12, “Smoke on the Mountain – A Sanders Family Christmas," Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, $57/$69 (transportation included), signup deadline June 3 at noon

September

Sept. 14 (rain date Sept. 16), 11:30 a.m., lunch at Wagner’s Village Inn, Oldenburg, pay there, then Shrank Farm tour, carpool $6/$12, signup deadline Sept. 4 at noon