I love answering the phone here at the “Y” and fielding inquiries as where the Marco Island YMCA is located. The reason I find this so interesting is because I tend to use landmarks to give directions.

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For example, Mr. Smith calls and says he’s staying at SouthSeas I, and how can he find the “Y.” My answer is to travel up Collier to Resident’s Beach, turn right and come up San Marco past the Police and Fire Stations and look for the “Y” Marquee on the corner of Sandhill and San Marco, turn right and pull in the entrance.

What’s my point to this story? When it comes right down to it, Marco Island is still small town America, where directions are given by landmarks and not streets. Folks here sometime forget that the population of Marco Island equals that of such towns as Connersville, Indiana, Boulder City, Colorado and Cooper City, South Carolina.

What do all these cities have in common? Family friendly, schools, air quality and a low crime rate. How do all these adjectives tie in with the “Y?” The people who come to the “Y” are considered family by those of us that work here. As a family, we play together, socialize together and catch up on the latest news together. This week at the “Y” we welcomed 176 new and returning family members. Our family grows in size as Marco Island’s population grows in size and we just love having each one of you.

The Fitness Center is buzzing with activity as folks work on their New Year’s resolution to get back in shape. The “Y” opens at 5 a.m. on weekdays and there are people waiting for the doors to open!

Many activities are available from Instructor Ann Marina’s Tai-chi classes on Tuesday and Thursday ( if you are a beginner, show up at 9:50 for the 10 a.m. class). Carla’s 60-plus class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday is very popular with all age groups and Connie’s Cardio-Tennis on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday has new attendees each and every week.

The highlight of this week was Miss Dottie’s Bingo on Tuesday and Mah-Jongg class on Wednesday. Over 20 folks signed up to learn this ancient game. It’s very interesting to watch how this game is played. Another class is scheduled for later this winter.

Miss Ginger’s ASPIRE Program continues with a fun filled week of activities scheduled like Hopscotch Math (Think Mr. ED- the horse)

Dodgeball and making fun craft figures like mittens and snowflakes (just to show what we are missing up North).

Next week — Jan. 16 — will be the Marco Island YMCA Installation and Awards Dinner at the Marco Island Yacht Club. The event time is 6 p.m. and the event cost is $60 per person. Limited seating is available. Call 394-3144, ext. 230, to reserve your seat. I will see you there and around the “Y.”

If you are not yet a member, come on in and let me give you a tour of the facilities. We are located at 101 Sandhill Street off San Marco.