Stay up-to-date on the latest news about Meriden YMCA.
MERIDEN - As a way to celebrate Halloween the Meriden YMCA is planning to host a trick-or-treat celebration Friday November 5 at 6:30 pm. "The first thing that was out of my kids' mouths was ‘what happened to Halloween?'" Y Executive Director John Benigni said. "We're not going to take our kids out trick-or-treating tonight because of the lack of power."
Firefighter Brian Petrucelli, left, helps Jayden try on a helmet in the back seat of Truck 1. After hearing about fire safety from the firefighters, the students were allowed to climb in the trucks and take a closer look at the equipment. Meriden Fire Lt. Brian Wysocki talks to kids about fire safety and prevention outside the Meriden YMCA Childcare Center on Crown Street Friday morning. October is National Fire Prevention Month.
YMCA Opens Exergame Fitness Arcade The Meriden YMCA unveiled its new Exergame Fitness Arcade Wednesday night. The program is intended to encourage children to use exercise equipment that is linked to Xbox and PlayStation video games. By Johnathon Henninger
By Sean Krofssik, Record-Journal Staff "John Zvonek was first introduced to wrestling as an eight-grader. He instantly fell in love with the sport..."
The sounds of friendly banter and basketballs being bounced on the gym floor echoed through the YMCA on Monday afternoon. More than a dozen teenage boys, some of whom have been placed in foster homes by Help a Child Shine, took the court in an afternoon of games organized by supervisor Julie Davis as a reward for the boys' hard work and good behavior this summer.
Article by Dan Brechlin MERIDEN - Doug Brown grew up trending away from the mainstream. He was not into the typical sports, as was his football-playing father. It took Brown some time to find his true passions, experimenting with acting and other performances before settling into playing the guitar and skateboarding. "Skateboarding and guitar became my anti-drug," Brown, now a professional skateboarder, told campers at the Meriden YMCA Mountain Mist Day Camp Friday afternoon. "When I was down and depressed, that's what I turned to."
By Mary Ellen Godin, Record-Journal MERIDEN - Coke and Alka-Seltzer was among the top fuel combinations for aspiring rocket scientists hop-ing to launch empty film canisters to the sky Wednesday. Baking soda and wine vinegar also provided enough thrust. "We pour in the Sprite and quickly walk away," explained Billy Hunt, 10, of Meriden. About 15 children from 8 to 12 are attending two weeks of Space Camp at Meriden YMCA's Mountain Mist on High Hill Road. The program, which began last year with six children, has grown as more children and their parents hear about rocket launching, space exploration and lessons in astronomy.
By Pete Foti Jr. Record-Journal staff Record-Journal MERIDEN - After about a 30-year layoff, the Meriden Super Jets are putting on their purple and gold uniforms once again. Wally Hackbarth coached the prestigious Meriden-based basketball team years ago. Now Platt graduate and Meriden YMCA volunteer Justin Mitchell is the Super Jets' coach.
Dan Brechlin from the Record Journal reports on the Meriden YMCA's Annual meeting.
"For the past three years the Martini & Massage Charity benefit has packed the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center in support of the Meriden YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign." Read the article and see the video about this fun night for a great cause.
With the schoolyear almost wrapped up, children in the YMCA Head Start program enjoyed a day of fun with their parents Tuesday. - Dan Brechlin, Record- Journal
Wayne Smith wins the Senior Mini Olympics in the Men's categories, 63 years after his first championship win at the Meriden Y
Daniel Adamik, a teacher in the Venture Program, and his students have taken their artwork out of the classroom and into the city. After last year's class displayed mosaic artwork in the butterfly garden on the grounds of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association headquarters, this year's class took its work downtown. Adamik, who also teaches an art class at the Y-Arts building, at 14 W. Main St., wanted to add some flair to downtown. He and his students designed patterns and are in the process of applying mosaic tiles to benches outside of the Y-Arts building.
The regulars at the basement bar at 66 Crown Street would be quite surprised by a look at their old haunt today – in place of stools and beer, there's a colorful pint-sized kitchen and a stack of tiny naptime cots. After 5 months of renovation, the Meriden YMCA unveiled its new school readiness program site Thursday night, on the lower level of the Martin Gaffey Child Care Center. Once set up as one long corridor, the space is now divided into two separate classrooms that have different stations, including those for science, story time, playtime, naps, and art projects.
West Main and Colony streets have had their share of closings and openings in recent years, but instead of businesses, some of the the latest newcomers are nonprofit organizations with programs for families. Meriden officials are boosting family activities downtown to generate foot traffic, and they have some eager partners. The Meriden YMCA is responsible for much of the growth downtown. Since acquiring the building at 14 W. Main St., the YMCA has overhauled its art program on the second floor and worked out a partnership with art collector and framer Steven Robichaud to relocate the Sandman Gallery & Frame Shoppe to the lower level.
