MEET AL SCHLENKER

“If the rest of the world could be like the Y, it would be very different. If you had any prejudices, this is the place you could get rid of them. Being here is wonderful,” said new Y member Al Schlenker. “From the front desk staff to the upstairs staff (wellness center), there is always a warm greeting. It means something to me. It’s not just the staff, but also the members who are welcoming. The socialization part of being at the Y is big. People get along here and are very respectful of each other.”

Al relocated to Nashua from Littleton in northern New Hampshire earlier this year. He has family close-by in Milford and enjoys time with his daughter and her family, especially his three grandchildren.  He’s been eager to meet people and get settled in the community. He attended Veteran’s Day festivities at Hollis Primary School, where one of his grandchildren attends. “I’m so happy I went. My daughter suggested I go and it was great to hear the kids sing a few songs. I also attended the World War II veteran’s service at Memorial Square in Hollis, again my daughter talked me into going,” he chuckled. “Being new to the area, I needed to meet people. I’m an Army veteran of the Vietnam-era.”

Al has embraced much that our area offers, including skating at Conway Arena and joining in on the Nashua Public Library’s ‘Nashua Reads,’ one city, one book program. He enjoyed reading Dark Tide (about the great molasses flood in Boston in 1919) by Stephen Puleo, the 2022 book selection, and Al went to Nashua Public Library to meet the author in early October.

Since joining in August, Al has been an active member, coming to the Y at least five days a week, sometimes seven days a week! “I enjoy coming to the Y more when there are a lot of people here, which is weekdays. The weekends can be more quiet,” he said. He starts his exercise by stretching and using strength training machines, followed by laps at the Nashua Y’s indoor track. He also enjoys aqua aerobics, two or three times a week. On his schedule is Pickleball 101 class at the Westwood Park Y and he’s eager to put his new skills to the test and join the active Pickleball community at the Westwood Park Y.

Welcome to the Y, Al! We are glad you are part of our community.