The NDG YMCA: his destiny

NDG Y
Newsletter
“
Jean
would like
the NDG
YMCA to
be known
as the
place to
be when it
comes to
mind and
body
wellness.
The NDG YMCA: his destiny
”
April 2014
Issue #10
J
ean Destiné is well-known by all NDG YMCA
regulars. However, did you know that he became
the summer camp soccer specialist in 1998
because he wanted to improve his English? Then a
student at Dawson College, he wanted to become part
of the Y family as soon as he got here:
“I immediately fell in love with the NDG Y and I never
wanted to leave.” With an academic background in
youth intervention, his dream became a reality by
working his way through several different Children
and Youth programs. He has been sharing his smile
and enthusiasm with members ever since.
Now the centre’s Health, Fitness and Recreation
Director, Jean is responsible for all pool and
conditioning room activities, as well as the group
classes. “What motivates me is the desire to provide
activities for everyone, contribute to members’ wellbeing and physical fitness and help the community.”
Despite his many administrative tasks, Jean spends
part of his time as an instructor. He enjoys instructing
classes as it allows him to be more hands-on.
Jean can testify on the positive evolution of Fitness
activities at the NDG YMCA. “We saw the potential five
years ago when we decided to invest in the facilities.
Today, the group classes are filled and the utilization
rate is approaching capacity.”
The impressive array of classes available, the flexible
schedules and the quality of the certified instructors
all help contribute to the success of the programs.
Jean also believes that the success can be attributed
to a team that works hard to accommodate as many
members as possible. “The team that I have makes my
life easier and, because our skills are so complementary,
it helps create great synergy.”
The satisfaction that Jean gets from working at the Y
is also due to the friendly environment and community
spirit that exists at the centre and gives the NDG Y its
unique personality. Regardless of whatever changes the
future may hold, he truly hopes that its unique
personality will be preserved at all costs.
A visionary, Jean would like the NDG YMCA to be
known as the place to be when it comes to mind
and body wellness: “Whether it’s to compensate for a
muscle weakness, improve cardiovascular capacity, run
a marathon, reach a healthy weight or reduce stress,
everyone is looking to get into better shape.” In addition
to the existing services, Jean would like for the NDG
YMCA to collaborate with community organizations
such as the CLSC in order to refer people as needed. The
NDG YMCA’s status and the spirit of the staff, volunteers
and members give him reason to be optimistic for this
endeavour. Let’s hope that his vision becomes a reality.
Stella Gignac
Did you know?
A new YMCA in
Notre-Dame-De-Grâce
— next steps
Nearly four months since the release of the
report on last fall’s public consultation sessions,
the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce YMCA continues to
increase its presence in the community and
develop ties with its members. We also started
the year with an initial meeting with the
project’s Monitoring Committee, whose
mandate is to lend support to the development project for a new YMCA in Notre-Damede-Grâce. During the course of 2014, we will
also conduct several feasibility studies for the
project. For more information, visit
ymcandgconsultation.org.
Marie-Josée Meilleur
How the NDG Y changed my life
“Bob McDevitt interviewing Larry
Parrish during the 1974 Spring
training in Florida“
I
first joined the NDG Y in 1964, exactly 50 years
ago! That certainly qualifies me as an old
geezer. After a lifetime of playing every sport
you can imagine, I can truly say I have lived a
very active life.
After 27 years, I retired from CBC-TV. I started
by doing the news, and I then covered sporting
events all over the world, with eight Olympics as
my highlights. Next came 12 years of teaching
broadcast journalism at Concordia University, and
finally complete retirement.
I used to do stretches, weights and cardio for
one hour, five times a week. On March2, 2013
during my training at the NDG Y, I put a little extra
effort because I was feeling very good. Suddenly I
began to feel dizzy and weak. Noticing something
was wrong with me, Michael Wright, the weight
room supervisor, came over quickly. He helped
me lie on the floor and called 911. Urgences-santé
was there in a few minutes. I was having a major
heart attack.
Currently, I am doing my cardio and fitness
program six days a week. I really enjoy the people
I meet at the Y. We share many a laugh.
My wife Patricia was a dedicated lap swimmer
for over 25 years, until she became allergic to the
chlorine in the pool. My eldest son Neale worked
at the front desk for a few years and loved it, but
he moved to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
Now, I look forward to doing my rehab and
seeing my buddies in the weight room and
locker room. I even look forward to Big Bob’s
jokes! These are only some of the ways the NDG Y
changed my life.
Bob McDevitt
A Warm Welcome on a Winter’s Day
W
“I love the Y so much, it’s important
for me to be here and represent it.”
hen asked why she volunteers at the
front desk of the NDG YMCA, Kim
replies with great enthusiasm, “I love
the Y so much, it’s important for me to be here
and represent it. I feel proud to work with this
great team,” she says with a big smile.
Kim Archambault has lived in NDG her
whole life and began volunteering at the NDG
YMCA’s front desk one year ago. She joined the
Y 14 years ago and has been exercising here
five times a week ever since. Kim’s 17-year-old
daughter Maude is also very fond of the Y.
Mother and daughter have been attending the
Boot Camp together for two years. They value
the thoroughness of the course and the quality
of the instructors. Staying healthy and in good
shape is a top priority for Kim and her family.
Kim is a self-employed jeweler working from
home. She has a jewelry workshop and a show-
room. After studying in Jewelry-making at the
École des métiers du Sud-Ouest, she completed
an internship downtown in traditional goldsmithing and apprenticed there for the next 15
years. Kim then started her own business. She
creates beautiful contemporary silver jewelry
(such as the jewelry seen in the picture), does
repairs and also hosts jewelry parties.
Kim can’t say enough good things about the
Y: “I love the Y, it is local and for the community.
It’s a family. People aren’t standoffish. It has
a relaxed atmosphere and things are simple
and easy, like a big family. Everyone here is so
enthusiastic. It makes me proud to be a part of
the NDG Y.”
Have some free time? Join Kim and volunteer
at the NDG YMCA.
Lisa Mintz
A long history of boxing at the NDG Y
In 1938, it was commonplace to see
boxers train at the NDG YMCA. Our
recruits were the pride of the community
during outdoor competitions and
demonstrations presented at the Bonfire,
a well-known theatre of that time.
Today, thanks to the rigorous training
required and its benefits, boxing has
become very popular. In addition to
working your muscles and getting your
heart pumping, boxing allows you to
improve flexibility and coordination. If
you feel like trying it out, know that the
NDG YMCA offers three weekly boxing
sessions, including one intended for
teens.
Stella Gignac
Sarah Mikos practicing her
boxing technique at the NDG Y
Fifteen future chefs receive the red carpet treatment
unforgettable experience they
provided our young chefs. This was
a wonderful opportunity for our
teens to learn about the culinary
profession. It also permitted the
youth to gain hands on experience
that compliments the weekly Teen
Zone Cooking Program, which runs
courtesy of generous donations to
the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.
Tania Pinard and
Lindsey Whitelaw
T
he Hotel Omni Mont-Royal rolled out the
red carpet for 15 teens from the NotreDame-de-Grâce YMCA on December 30,
2013. These lucky participants had the once in a
lifetime opportunity to learn to cook with chef
Laurent Miot and to savour quality culinary fare!
The event started with a warm welcome in the
Presidential Suite where the teens were given chef
shirts and hats. Executive chef Laurent Miot and
chefs Mathias and Ameer were awaiting them
with a mission: to prepare a three-course meal for
20 people in 1 hour and 15 minutes. The timer was
set and the three teams started to cook.
Once done, they were invited to the Pierre-deCoubertin ballroom where a table of judges was
going to rate their meals. It was an opportunity
for them to have a fine dining experience as VIPs
of the hotel. The dessert team won the
contest with their Nutella crepe filled with
caramelized pineapple and whipped cream.
See menu to the right.
For Rayden McLeish, this was a first
such experience. “The chefs were nice and
patient,” said the 18 year old, “and the food,
especially the chicken, was really good.”
And for Danté Gill, 15 years old, the
winning dessert was his favorite dish.
When asked about this experience, Danté
described it as fun and said he was thankful
the chefs took the time to teach them how
to cook.
The NDG YMCA’s Cooking Program
wishes to thank the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal
for their support and for the
2014 YMCA
STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN
Every kid deserves a chance to reach their potential
BLT Club
Turkey Burger
Jean Destiné shares this delicious
recipe with us:
¼ pound uncooked hot Italian pork sausage
1 ¼ pounds ground turkey
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Sea salt and black pepper
Bacon
Hamburger buns
Your favourite spicy
sauce
Lettuce
Tomatoes thinly sliced
O
n February 17, the Notre-Dame-deGrâce YMCA launched its annual
community support campaign. The
Strong Kids Campaign, which the YMCAs
of Québec has been associated with since
2008, is held across Canada from midFebruary to the end of March. The aim of
the campaign is to raise funds throughout
the year to allow children, teens and
families to participate in a NDG YMCA
activity or program, even though they may
not have the financial means to do so. This
year, the centre’s goal is to raise $32,000.
Anne Plamondon
and Lise Huneault
Campaign Co-chairs
Strong Kids
Campaign
Goal:
$32,000.
We have
raised
$9,828
to date.
Remove the the sausage casing. Place in a large
bowl. Add turkey, garlic and cumin. Season
with pepper. Divide into eight 3 ounce patties.
Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least for
30 minutes.
Cook the bacon and keep the bacon fat.
Generously season the turkey on both sides
with salt and pepper. Use the bacon fat to cook
the turkey on medium heat for about 7 minutes.
Make sure it’s browned and cooked through but
still juicy. Don’t press down on the patties.
To build the burger, spread your favourite
spicy sauce on the bread. Divide the lettuce
then top with tomatoes and bacon. Add the
meat and (if you want) stack another level to
make it like a club sandwich and secure with
toothpicks.
Local advisory board
Randa Abu-Hakima
Pierre Beaudry
Ross Chechile
Prasman Gabriel Felix
Franceen Roll
Gennaro Stabile
Tricia Vanderwalde
John Vincent
Our community includes children and
teens from low-income families. They need
to improve their health and well-being,
but they do not have the means. They are
counting on your help. Your donation can
change a life. Help them enjoy their childhood. Help us give them a better future.
Contributions can be made directly at the
NDG YMCA or online at:
www.ymcaquebec.org/strongkids/ndg
Editor
Stella Gignac
Contributors
Wendy Bayer
Stella Gignac
Lise Huneault
Howie Klarer
Oksana Korobeynikova
Bob McDevitt
Marie-Josée Meilleur
Lisa Mintz
Tania Pinard
Anne Plamondon
Lindsey Whitelaw
Publisher
Notre-Dame-de- Grâce Y
Centre
4335 Hampton
(514) 486-7315
Design
David Bouquet
MISSION: Build stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives.