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Testimonials: Why the Y?
The Y believes that community connectivity is key to healthy living. Many long-time friendships are formed at the Y every day. Looking for a way to meet new people and have an opportunity to socialize outside of exercise class? Check out our options below. Have questions? Reach out to the coordinator of each group. Interested in perhaps starting a new social group? Contact Vicky Kettner. Let's explore the possibilities!
Book Club
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The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo offers a book club that meets monthly at Maple. There is no commitment required. Currently, a Y membership is required.
Have questions? Contact Shashu Baraka, at 269-459-4856 or email her.
Meeting Information:
The Maple “Y” Book Club meets the third Friday of every month from 1:30-3:00pm in the Chapel
2025 Reading List:
Jan 17: Solito by Javier Zamora (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
Feb 21: James by Percival Everett (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
March 21: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL)
April 18: The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL)
May 16: The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
June 20: The Death of Public School by Cara Fitzpatrick (EB/KPL)
July 18: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (PB/EB/AUD/KPL/PDL)
Aug 15: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
Sept 19: The Only Woman in the Room by Maria Benedict (EB/PB/KPL/PDL)
Oct 17: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (EB/PB/AUD/KPL/PDL/WAL)
Nov 15: TBD
Dec 20: Holiday Luncheon
Access to Books:
Book Location Key: EB = E-book, PB = Paperback, AUD = Audiobook, KPL = Kalamazoo Public Library, PDL = Portage District, Library, BiB = Book in a Bag, WAL = Waldo Library
Crochet & Knit Club
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Calling all fiber artists! Come and join the Y’s newest social club for crocheters, knitters, and fiber artists alike to unwind, work on our WIPs, and weave connections. All ages and every level of ability are welcome. The Crochet & Knit Club will meet the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30-6:30pm, in the Maple Y’s Chapel. Registration is not required, but the club is currently only open to Y members.
Questions? Contact Brooke Beaman, Marketing and Graphic Design Specialist, via email.
2025 Dates
May 14
June 11
July 9
Aug. 13
Sept. 10
Oct. 8
Nov. 12
Dec. 10
NEW: Free Speed Puzzle Competition
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Puzzle lovers, group gamers, and families looking for a fun night out will unite and collide in the Y’s first ever Speed Puzzle Competition! See how quickly you can piece together a jigsaw puzzle with the help of your team! The fastest team to complete the 500 piece puzzle, or get the closest to completing, will win a prize. We are taking a break in Spring and Summer to resume offering this fun activity in the Fall. Watch for our announcement with dates in the late summer. Thanks to everyone who made our first season of Speed Puzzle super fun.
RULES
- Teams will be allowed to enter the competition room at 6:45pm and the clock will start at 7pm.
- Teams of four will be given the same puzzle to complete within 60 minutes.
- Only one person needs to register per team, but will need to provide the names of their teammates. Click here to register, and here to sign up teammates.
- Please register up to four people on your team. People registering by themselves will be assigned to groups to form a team of four or less.
- Recommended for ages 8 and older. For YMCA members only.
NEW: Group Travel w/Collette
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Do you have Wunderlust? Like to meet new people? Want to travel but don't want to travel alone? Would love to travel but don't want to plan it? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be a great travel opportunity for you.
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has once again partnered with Collette travel company to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring the Painted Canyons of the West on a 9-day guided tour featuring Utah's five national parks! Highlights include: Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Las Vegas. Please note the following important dates - deposit due date: Sunday, March 23, 2025, final payment due date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 and travel dates: Tuesday, September 23 - Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Early booking is eligible for a $550 savings per person;10 seats available.
Try something different for the 2025 Holiday Season! Enjoy the 8-day tour of America's Music Cities Holiday. Highlights include: French Quarter, Jazz Revue, Grammy Museum, Graceland, Civil Rights Tour, Ryman Auditorium, Hands-on Chocolate-making Lesson, Grand Ole Opry Show, Historic RCA Studio B, Country Music Hall of Fame, Gaylord Opryland Resort Dinner & Holiday Show, Choice on Tour: Delta River Flat Boat or Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride. Please note the following important dates - deposit due date: Saturday, June 14, 2025, final payment due date: Monday, September 15, 2025 travel dates: Sunday, December 14 - Sunday, December 21, 2025. Early booking is eligible for a $150 savings per person.
Start 2026 off on a warm and sunny trip with friends and loved ones on the 9-day Tropical Costa Rica tour. Highlights include: San Jose, Coffee Plantation, Arenal Volcano, Cano Negro Refuge, Lake Arenal Cruise, Farm Tour and Lunch, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Choice on Tour: Monteverde Hanging Bridges or Canopy Adventure, Guanacaste. Please note the following important dates - deposit due date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, final payment due date: Saturday, November 1, 2025 travel dates: Friday, January 30 - Saturday, February 7, 2026. Early booking is eligible for a $500 savings per person.
A percentage of the aforementioned trips will be donated back to the YMCA’s Healthy Aging Program, to help foster programs for continued physical, mental, and social health.
INFORMATION SESSIONS:
- Painted Canyons of the West: Monday, Feb. 24 at Maple 1—2:30pm
- America's Music Cities Holiday: Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Portage 4—5:15pm (Canceled due to low registration; information will still be available during one of the other info sessions.)
- Tropical Costa Rica: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Portage 11am—12:30pm
To Register for Information Sessions click here
Healthy Aging Lunch Crawl
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Lunch Crawl was developed from one of our Healthy Aging group outings—a cooking demo and Q&A with Chef Francisco Cordero from WMU's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. The group asked him about his favorite eateries in and around Kalamazoo, and he offered a handful of restaurants. So began Lunch Crawl! Every second Friday of the month, we meet up at one of Kalamazoo's many awesome restaraunts for lunch. Consider joining us! Please email Active For Life Program Director, Shashu Baraka two days prior to confirm your attendance and if you're bringing a plus one. Lunch is self-pay and confirmations need to be in by 4:00pm two days prior to secure seating. Restaurant dates subject to change.
February 14, Saffron
March 14, Barrett's Smokehouse
April 11, Alibi
May 9, The Grazing Table
June 13, WL Social House
July 11, Cravings Corners (Texas Corners)
August 8, Z&W Chinese Cuisine
August 27, (End of Summer Picnic)
September 12, Texas Corners Brewing
October 10, Dani's Kitchen
November - No activity
December - No activity
Lunch & Learn Series
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Join us for a Lunch & Learn!—these free programs are an opportunity to socialize, gain knowledge, plus get a free, light lunch (and who doesn't love a free lunch?)! See below for our 2025 schedule. Questions? Contact Shashu Baraka.
Lunch & Learns are open to both YMCA members and the public at no cost.
MAPLE DATES
- February 10 at 12:30-2:00pm: Westside Chiropractic Wellness
- April 14 at 12:00-1:15pm: Physical Changes As We Age with Mary Free Bed
- May 5 at 12:30-2:00pm: National Travel and Tourism Week with Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP)
- June 2 at 12:30-2:00pm: Dementia and Alzheimer's Awareness Month with Best Hearing Store
- October 20 at 12:30-2:00pm: Medicare—All You Need to Know
PORTAGE DATES
- March 4 at 12:30-2:00pm: Learn about Prescription Medications with Advanced Health Pharmacy
- September 29 at 12:30-2:00pm: Medicare—All You Need to Know
