Grab your buddy and get your poles ready.

The Jefferson County Family YMCA is hosting a bass fishing tournament April 17, 2010 at Council Bluff Lake (24 miles south of Potosi).

Click here to download a copy of the restration form. Click here to download a copy of the rules.

Please submit registration form, signed rules and payment to Jefferson County Family YMCA
1303 YMCA Dr.
Festus, MO 63028

Call Cheryl Story at 636-931-9622 ext. 226 with questions.

The Jefferson County Family YMCA has developed the following concerning classes:

• If Festus School District calls off school = all classes are cancelled through 12:30pm
• By 12:30pm we will make a decision for all afternoon classes through 4:00pm
• By 4:00 we will make a decision for all evening classes starting at 5:00pm-close

If you have any questions, please call 636-931-YMCA(9622).

Helen Mitchell turned 98 on January 4, 2010. She is the oldest member that the Jefferson County Family YMCA has.
Helen enjoys riding the recumbent bike in the fitness center and walking. She also enjoys spending time with her many friends at the YMCA.
Helen's son, Chuck, is an active member and serves on the Jefferson County Family YMCA's board of advisors.
We look forward to seeing Helen's smiling face for many years to come!

Jefferson County Family YMCA's Executive Director, Matt Clark took a pie in the eye for United Way.
In October, the YMCA staff filled pumpkins with money to vote for the staff person they wanted to get the pie in the eye. The money was given to the United Way and Matt was the winner.
Everyone enjoyed watching him get splattered with whipped cream, and Matt obliged by squirting the crowd with silly string.

Meet Ron & Lucille Kaestner, Silver Sneaker members at the Jefferson County Family YMCA in Festus, MO. They joined the Y in January 2009 when they learned that their insurance company would pay for their membership.

Before they joined the YMCA they enjoyed their 2 children and 3 grandchildren, and had a very limited exercise program. Ron is a cancer survivor, so they wanted to do everything they could to improve their health.

When they joined the YMCA they would walk 2 miles around the indoor track then leave. They heard about the 5K Fun Run/Walk that the YMCA was sponsoring in September and decided they wanted to participate, so they slowly increased their walking routine to about 4 miles. Using a pedometer, Ron kept track of the distance while Lucille watched the clock. She said they can walk about 4 miles in about 45 minutes.

Melissa Moen and her sons Logan, 7, and Leyton, 3, have found a home at the Jefferson County Family YMCA. Melissa says that the sports programs are what brought her to the YMCA, but the feeling of belonging and the socialization has kept her and her family coming back. Melissa started enrolling her oldest son Logan in soccer, basketball and t-ball before she found out the YMCA offers financial assistance to families. Someone at the front desk took the time to ask the right questions, and thus started the process to get the Moen’s involved in the many benefits the YMCA offers. Melissa is now involved in fitness classes and her youngest son Leyton attends the Lil’ Rascals Preschool program as well as the sports programs that both boys enjoy. Melissa says the involvement means a lot not only to her self-esteem, but also much more to both of her sons, who do not have contact with their father. Melissa says the boys really miss having dad around but through the companionship and leadership of the sports programs, it has provided some of the positive male role models that boys need. She is very grateful to the coaches, families and staff at the YMCA for this impact in their lives.

Ariel Nicole Casey is determined to make a better life for herself and her little boy Avie. Avie is just 2 years old, but already enjoys the active Kid’s Zone and swimming in the Jefferson County Family YMCA pool. Ariel Nicole has had many positive experiences at the YMCA. She started coming with her mom when she was younger, and she remembers having a great time at the after-school programs.

Now as an adult with a small child, Ariel Nicole knew it was necessary to get involved with a place that promoted a healthy lifestyle. When a friend, mentioned the Jefferson County YMCA, Ariel knew she had found a place for herself and Avie. They love the atmosphere, people and being a part of the YMCA family.

Over 200 people participated in the 5K Fun Run/Walk Saturday, September 12, 2009. Sponsored by the Jefferson County Family YMCA and Jefferson Regional Medical Center, there were 126 runners and 106 walkers.
The overall winner was Charles Beiseman with a time of of 16:11. The first female finisher was Stephanie Hill with a time of 21:04. Stephanie competed in the race while pushing her 2 babies in a stroller!
To see the complete list of finishing times for runners, click here.