The members of the Forever Fit exercise class got together this week for a field trip and luncheon. The trip was to the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge where we observed various bird species and other forms of wildlife.

Unfortunately, we were not as successful in our sightings as in previous years because of the cool weather and rain that plagued us most of the day.

In spite of the weather, we all had a good time and after our trek we met at the Deerhead Lodge for a luncheon celebration. Not only did we have lunch, but we feted Dorothea Mazzeo for her 80th birthday and Margaret Mosher for her 90th birthday.

Dorothea got to wear a lovely plastic hat with birthday candles on it. Margaret was given a flashing light tiara with a matching wand. We sang a hearty “Happy Birthday” to both ladies.

Julia Krueger talked to some of Margaret#,s friends and gave us a complete history of Margaret#,s life which was very interesting. All in all it was a wonderful day.

Nancy Henderson, of our childcare department, always gracefully volunteers to drive our Y van to all of these outings. She was at the lunch, as well as Betty Thurston, Julia Krueger, Sylvia Davis, Margaret, Dorothea, May Henderson, Pat Wellington, Alex Ewanechko, Sophie Renahan, Mary Ann Finn, Ellie May, Nancy Eldredge, Pauline Gard, Betty Lewis, Betty Dunn, Nancy Cowan, Jean Clark, Pat Gallagher, Joyce North, and Mary Beardsley. All of these women are much younger in heart than they are in years and their boundless energy overflows in all that they do.

Sylvia Davis provided a homemade carrot cake for the birthday dessert which was absolutely delicious.

If anyone is interested in joining this fun group, they meet at 9:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for 45 minutes. The age range of the group goes from early 60s up to 90 with four people in their 80s.

They are already planning for the party for the next person who turns 90! They are truly special people and a great joy to be around.

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Our sincere sympathy goes out to the family of Nancy Rizzier who died last week after a car crash. Nancy was a devoted member of the YMCA family and we could almost count on her appearance at the same time every day. She was active in both swimming and exercise. Her husband Bill is also a loyal YMCA member and her daughter Mary Beth worked for us in the respite program. We will truly miss seeing Nancy and give our sympathy to Bill and the rest of the family in the loss of this wonderful person.

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A little bit of recognition goes to my son, Adam, for his graduation from West Point Military Academy on Saturday, May 31. Adam started at USMAPS for a year and then completed his education at West Point.

He played varsity lacrosse for all four years and was a starting defensive player for the past two years. We are very proud of him, especially because he was not the best student but he put his mind to it and succeeded. He will go on to serve in field artillery at Fort Sill, Okla.

Hansinger is the assistant fitness director at the Auburn YMCA