STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

More Local Recreation

• Former Lely standout faces charges in S. Carolina
• Thanksgiving: Islanders serve food, tennis balls
• Marco residents assist in plans for Veterans’ Community Park

Share and Enjoy [?]

I have always thought teachers were a special breed of people in that they take on the challenge of educating us and have the patience and virtues to go along with it.

Earlier this week that thought was reinforced as I was given the task and duty to travel to Manatee Elementary School to be a “Y Reads” Program participant. This program is to help students improve their reading skills, self esteem, and attitude towards reading implemented by volunteer tutors. The students are referred by their teachers and meet with the volunteers twice a week for one hour. The volunteers are trained by the “Y Reads” Program Coordinator, Mrs. Jan Rotar and use a research based, systematic reading program to meet the individual needs of each child.

Now, why was I called to duty, because we don’t have enough volunteers to work with the children! We need you to volunteer! A minimum of one hour per week is required. That’s all, that’s it!

I had a blast reading to and interacting with the students, they are a joy and really fun to work with. I used flash cards to play phonics games with my two-person group and also had the students follow a lesson plan. This “Y Reads” program was the result of a grant awarded to the Marco Island YMCA and is free of charge to students in the program. Call 394-3144 ext. 275 and let Jan Rotar know you want to volunteer.

The Y continues to be busy with new members joining and returning snowbird coming back. The actual member numbers continue to grow with November 2007 at 3,738, December 2007 at 3,849 and as of yesterday, January 16, 4,117. We are so happy that we are the premier facility for fitness, family fun and early childhood education on Marco Island and now we also have in our service area, the 951 Corridor to East Naples and South to Everglades City and Chockoloskee.

The Fitness Center is now upgraded with various new machines to work out on; the free weight area has been expanded and six 42 inch HD TV’s have been installed for your viewing pleasure. Just bring in your headphones to plug into the receiver on your machine. Hint: Start pedaling or moving the machine to power the transmitter. You’re the battery!

A teen social for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students is scheduled for Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Cost is still only $10 and pizza and punch will be served. Registration for the following programs continues: Flag Football, Gymnastics for Kids, Computer classes for children and adults in February, the 18th Annual “For the Love of the Y Tennis Tournament.” February 8-9-10, Daddy/ daughter” Sweetheart Dance” held on February 14 and Dottie’s Duck Derby scheduled for March 29.

This Sunday is the “Shark of the park: skateboard competition, all the action begins at 10 a.m. The YMCA Pool will be closed this Sunday for maintenance.

Last but not least, The Marco Island YMCA Board of Directors and Awards Dinner was held Wednesday night at the Marco Island Yacht Club. Congratulations to the new board members for 2008, new board president Joe Hausauer and employee of the year award winners, Miss Ruth and Miss Charlene of the YMCA pre school department.

Come to the YMCA located at 101 Sandhill Street and let me give you a tour of our facilities. Call me at 394-3144 ext. 228 if you would like to set up an appointment with me for a look around.