When members of Live Y’ers journey to activities in the coming year, they will be sticking closer to home. “Because of the energy crisis, we are doing many more things locally,” reports volunteer program director B.J. Cox. “We’ve had to double the cost of riding the van.”

While the club is organized by Southeastern Indiana YMCA, “people do not have to be members of the Y to come. Everybody over 50 is welcome with open arms,” she says.

The group’s goal is “to try to do something different, spice up our lives a little bit.”

“One of the more exciting trips ... will be the tour of the (former) Proving Grounds” south of Versailles . “It’s like a hidden history book of the World War II era. Apparently, that place was really buzzing during the war. Margaret Wilson worked there and will be a tour guide,” according to Cox.

Live Y’ers will watch musicals at two theaters they’ve never gone to before, La Comedia in Springboro, Ohio, and American Cabaret in Indianapolis.

Before the volunteer and SIY marketing director Cathy Sullivan, the Live Y'ers coordinator, winnowed the options down, “I called 50 different places and had them send me their itineraries for the coming year.”

That’s when Cox learned about “a group in Cincinnati that plans tours. One is Germany. I think that will be fun.”

They don’t always travel. Members will celebrate the Year of the Cow during a catered Chinese New Year luncheon at SIY. Those up for a side trip can carpool to the Cincinnati Asian Market to buy decorations beforehand.

Live Y’ers meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the group’s room on the ground floor, then dine at a local restaurant.

Three groups zero in on specific interests. Bridge players meet there every Monday at 10 a.m. According to Cox, “We’ve taught a lot of people to play bridge. Some people just need a refresher.” Interested persons may just show up.

Members of the book club led by Pam Scheele meet in the Live Y’ers room on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. “She does such a fabulous job,” Cox notes.

About 20 sign up each April to go to the Indianapolis Symphony Coffee Pops Series. Other music lovers can be added to the sub list.

Members range in age from 50 to 80-plus. Although many are women, “we are getting more men all the time,” she says. Participation ranges from five to 25 depending on the activity.

“The Live Y’ers really do a lot in the way of philanthropy,” according to Cox.

Members donate to the Rural Alliance for the Arts and Ripley County Community Foundation auctions and SIY's Strong Kids campaign and also sell luminaries at the Ripley County Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society.