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"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." -- Dr. Seuss.
This wonderful quote begs the question, "how long is a moment?" A few hundred years ago, the work "moment" used to mean a precise amount of time, just like a minute equals 60 seconds. Nowadays, we just use it to describe a short period of time without any hard definition. This leaves room for some ambiguity.
It does seem that how long a moment is depends on how old you are. Time seems to flow differently depending on age. During childhood, each and every experience is likely to be brand new. As a result, a child's brain works overtime to encode as much information as possible into the brain. This creates a form of hyper awareness, where the child is conscious of everything that happens. As we get older and experience more things, our brain starts to create patterns out of all experiences. These patterns act like shortcuts of sort, and eliminate the necessity to memorize stuff we don't need.
The patterns in my maturing brain have maintained with intensity my Boys and Girls Club (mainly Boys Club) moments from my youth which have shaped my development.
Growing up with my two brothers in 1950s, we were regular Boys Club beneficiaries. The Club was run by Ma and Pa Wixom and was sheltered in the basement of the National Guard Armory on Water Street. More than a babysitting enterprise, the Boys Club offered programs and instilled in us respect and acceptable social behavior.
I learned how to respect and safely handle firearms from Ted Smith and Ed Diem at the rifle range in the basement, earning my sharpshooters patch and gun safety award (way before it was required by the DNR to purchase a hunting license). I participated in the youth rifle league at Sportsman Island sponsored by the Boys Club. I learned self-defense and how to box from Bruno Hirzel. I was taught how to swim at the Boys Club Summer Camp at Long Lake in Montmorency County -- a requirement which, once attained, allowed you to use the big raft in deeper water. And, of course there was Friday night movie night, with popcorn. This was a treat for many of us, as we couldn't afford to go the theater and many of us were without television. All these early moments were burned into my consciousness.
In the 1960s, the Boys Club moved to a new location on Chisholm Street across from the County Courthouse. A real advantage for my family, as we were west-enders and this new location was merely blocks from our neighborhood. Jack Southern was the new director, and this new location included more arts and craft opportunities, cooking, table tennis, pool and chorale. Yes, I learned to sing at the Boys Club. The Boys Club became my daily evening entertainment. Growing older, I learned how to compete with hard work and grace and how to get along with peers of all shapes, sizes and personalities. My time at the Boys Club made me a better human.
Since joining the United Way, I've become reacquainted with our modern Boys and Girls Club and their programs and services. I briefly have worked with Executive Director Brad Somers at their "old" location on River Street and look forward to continuing our relationship at their new location at the former Alpena Catholic Central. I am delighted to report that the modern B&GC fulfills the mission that I experienced growing up … and a lot more.
Currently the B&GC of Alpena has 1,275 members. On a daily basis they serve 185 youth, 65 who are teenagers. Membership is close to 50-50 boys and girls. In their new facility, with a more modern kitchen, they are serving 135 meals per day and, during the summer, they provide lunch and a snack in the absence of school lunches. They will serve more than 30,000 meals in 2024.
The skill training offered is in step with our modern world, with a technology center that is most impressive. They are going to be introducing virtual job training skills courtesy of some new technology they are being trained with. The B&GC of Alpena hosts the Youth Corps, and last year they had 158 participants that provided 7,200 hours of community service, benefitting 26 partner agencies. Above all, the 17 staff members are helping their membership understand acceptable behavior, respect and have a positive outlook of the opportunities available in the future.
Soon the B&GC Board and staff will be hosting a public open house of their new facility. You are encouraged to go, see and experience this astonishing community resource. You will be exposed to all the programs and services that are offered which greatly outnumber the few that I've shared.
The B&GC of Alpena will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026. 100 years of extremely successful service of impacting in a most positive way the youth of our community. May they continue to serve us well into the future!
Joe Gentry is the executive director of the United Way of Northeast Michigan. Reach him at jgentry@unitedwaynemi.org or 989-354-2221.