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West Coast Gatherings Highlighted by DreamWorks Event Recent west coast travel to visit with alumni, parents and friends included two stops in California. An alumni gathering at Jillian’s in San Francisco took place on the afternoon of June 10. Two days later, alumni and parents in the southern California area gathered at DreamWorks Animation in Glendale (photo). Hosted by Chimney Corners Camp alumna and Trustee Annie Steeper Morita, guests enjoyed a private behind-the-scenes tour of the campus and studios, along with a YMCA update from CEO Phil Connor. Alumni Weekend 2012 September 21-23: Celebrations to Honor Rusty Irons and Remember Jeanne Shellenberger Alumni Weekend 2012 is once again in full swing. Preparations are being made to welcome more alumni, families and friends than ever before. As a result, more activities, more entertainment, more family fun and more memories are expected this September. Maybe you are celebrating an LIT reunion, returning to see a former camper, staff member or friend, coming back for the first time this year – or the first time ever! – no matter what your motivation, this is simply the best way to spend a wonderful family fall weekend in the Berkshires. The Second Annual Alumni Weekend Golf Outing at the Tekoa Country Club in Westfield kicks off the weekend Friday afternoon at 2 pm. Join a foursome or make your own – what a great way to start the weekend! And amidst all the other great family activities on the ponds, playing fields, challenge courses, nature and craft centers, target sport ranges and four square courts, the wonderful meals and singing, there will be a few extra special events and gatherings planned as well. 6 BCCYMCA News Issue 09 July 2012 Weekend Highlights • On Saturday afternoon there will be opportunities to learn more about the State of the Camps, meet the camp directors, inquire about our current programs, new initiatives, current and future volunteer opportunities and more. • That same afternoon there will also be a special reception for Russell “Doc” Irons so friends and family can gather, relax, reminisce and congratulate Doc on his upcoming Distinguished Service Award to be presented during the banquet. • Don’t miss our traditional Wine & Cheese party prior to the banquet – the ultimate hospitality for the ultimate guests. • After the banquet join in a night of family fun, games and ice-cream sundaes, or relax to the cool music of the night at The Jazz Café. • Finally, join us at Chapel-By-The-Lake at Chimney Corners Camp on Sunday morning for a special Chapel program and remembrance of Jeanne Shellenberger. Now it’s YOUR turn. Everything you need to register, enroll and plan for the big weekend is here or online. Registration materials are included here for our alumni, and all is available through the Alumni Weekend webpages at www.bccymca.org. Don’t miss it. It won’t be the same without you too!
Alumni News & Notes Alumni News & Notes appear regularly in editions of the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA NEWS. Send your news and photos by mail to John Anz, or email to janz@bccymca.org. Jake Brill (CB camper ’94-’96, ICEP ’97, Aide ’98, AC/ CIT ’99, Staff ’00-’01) has been living in San Francisco for the past 7 years. He is currently working as a Product Manager on the Site Integrity team at Facebook. Jake just recently attended a great Sunday afternoon gathering of alumni in San Francisco at Jillian’s. When not reconnecting with fellow Becketites or protecting the future of social media, Jake spends most of his off time playing music with his band The Last Ambassadors (you can find them on Facebook too!). They just released their 2nd full length album which you can check out on iTunes and Spotify. The band just had a CD release party in the Bay Area on June 22nd at Cafe du Nord. Becca Stevens Fasciano (CCC camper ’78-’80, ICEP ’81, Aide ’82, Staff ’85, ’88, ’89, ’92, and Parent since 2008) wrote in to say, “Helping my daughter pull together the essentials for her upcoming summer as an Aide at CCC, I am caught up in waves of memories and nostalgia. 30 years ago this week, I was filling my own trunk for my summer as an Aide. 24 years ago I was at camp putting the finishing touches on the AQ in preparation for the arrival of ‘my’Aides – the Reggaides. So many wonderful memories and amazing people are in my life because of CCC and Becket. My first camper experience at Chimney Corners was in 1978 and that summer certainly shaped the many, many that came after – I was hooked. Some of the people I met that first summer are still the most important in my life to this day. Jeanne Shellenberger was the camp director for most of my summers at Chimney Corners. I have no doubt that she was instrumental in helping me become who I am today. She believed in me and encouraged me to believe in myself. She taught me the importance of high expectations and second chances. She believed that making mistakes is part of growing up and learning how to be a better person and that we all have sparks of greatness in us that are well worth tending. She was tough and direct, had a wonderful sense of humor and encouraged independence and integrity. Jeanne will be forever missed. These are all lessons I have tried to incorporate in my parenting of our 4 wonderful children. It has meant so much to me that our daughter, Amanda, has spent the past 4 summers at CCC and will return as an Aide this summer. Two of our boys, Ben and Andrew, will be campers at Becket this summer for the first time. Jason, who is 6, can’t wait until he is old enough! In this world of crazy schedules, media influence everywhere and children who grow up faster than we did, I am so grateful and encouraged that Chimney Corners and Becket are thriving – a respite for us and our children. The past several years we have also enjoyed going to camp for Alumni Weekend which has been a gift - a chance to reconnect with friends, enjoy camp as a family and sing around the campfire. It is truly amazing to sit with a former camper, counselor or cabin mate and watch your children kayak or shoot at an archery target together. I will be returning to the camps this fall once again, this time for my 30th Reunion as a Chimney Corners Camp Aide. I look forward to seeing many fellow Aides, and many others there to join me. Don’t miss it!” Emily King Herbette (CCC Staff 2003-’11) wrote in, “Thanks to all my wonderful camp friends who celebrated with us at our wedding on May 26th. Chris and I feel the wedding and reception were just perfect. We were surrounded by family and friends at my aunt and uncle’s beautiful home in Greenville, SC. I was fortunate enough to sing ‘Apple Blossom Time’ with all my Chimney Corners Camp friends. We honeymooned in Barbados and truly enjoyed the chance to relax and spend time together before our work lives get hectic once again. I got SCUBA certified while there so now I can dive with Chris. I saw a sea turtle on my first dive, an octopus on my second dive and my last dive was on a wreck - very exciting! We are living in New London, CT with our 2 dogs, Pailey and Harley, and everything is just great! I am working as the Healthy Living and Youth Development Director at the Ocean Community YMCA - Mystic Branch. Chris graduated Valedictorian in May from Mitchell College with a BA in Environmental Science and is really excited for his new career. I look forward to staying in close touch and hope to hear from my Becket and Chimney Corners friends often.” James Miller (“Jed” – CB camper ’93-’95, ICEP ’96, Aide ’97, AC/CIT ’98, Staff ’99-’01) & Katherine Ostrye Miller (CCC camper ’91-’95, ICEP ’96, REACH ’97, AC/CIT ’98, Staff ’99-’00) announced that “We will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary on August 4th. We are alive, well, working and living happily in Harlem in New York City. We both had the chance to participate in a phonathon in the city this May to support the camps. It was great to speak to a number of good friends and fellow supporters that night for such a good cause. Both of us are looking forward to attending Alumni Weekend this September, seeing many Becket and Chimney Corners friends, and especially our fellow Aides and REACH LITs from 1997 – our 15th Reunion!” Emily & Chris Kathleen A. Keating (P) of Fort Lauderdale, FL died in December, 2011. Kathleen is survived by her son and Camp Becket alumnus Weston Schifone. Lawton G. Sargent, Jr. (P) of North Branford, CT died on February 2, 2012. “Lawt” was a former parent volunteer for Camp Becket and a loyal supporter through the years. He is survived by his sons and Camp Becket alumni Geofrey Sargent and Peter Sargent. He was predeceased by his wife of sixty-two years Audrey (P) in June of 2011. Jeanne K. Shellenberger (A, P) of Brewster, MA died on April 1, 2012. Jeanne first came to Becket, MA in 1962 when her husband Don Shellenberger became the Camp Becket Director. Jeanne worked by Don’s side for ten years providing support to Camp Becket in a variety of important roles. In 1972, when Chimney Corners Camp became part of the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, Jeanne became Camp Director of CCC. She served our community in that capacity for 18 years until both she and Don retired in 1989. Jeanne influenced thousands of young women in her lifetime, and many of those still credit her with who they have become today. Jeanne also was a constant and generous resource for many Becket and Chimney Corners directors and staff before and since her departure. Just last fall, at Alumni Weekend 2011, Jeanne was honored with the highest award the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA can bestow upon a member of the community when she was presented with The Distinguished Service Award by the Alumni Council. This fall, at Alumni Weekend 2012, a special Sunday Chapel service will be held in Jeanne’s memory and special remembrances will highlight the service. She is survived by her son David Shellenberger and her daughter Susan Shellenberger Bowers, both alumni of the camps. Jeanne was predeceased by her husband Don in 2001. The family has provided for gifts to be made to the Becket- Chimney Corners YMCA in Jeanne’s memory. (A) Alumni, (P) Parent, (F) Friend 7
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 09 JULY 2012 Message from the
Page 3 and 4: Camp Becket Service Corps to Build
Page 5: “Doc” Irons to Receive the Dist

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