Dear editor,

I saw a recent letter in the Wausau Pilot and Review and I wanted to add my story.

When you enter The Landing, you have a sense that something special is going on here. Amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the buzz of conversation you become aware that there are many activities going on simultaneously. Members can select among 100 programs, including meals (prepared weekly on site by the YMCA and Landing staffs), fitness classes, book clubs, card games, play readings, movie nights, day trips, and even international travel.

Some members come once a week to play bridge or some other card game. Others participate in a craft group or attend lectures by local experts, while many members come daily to play pool or attend exercise classes. Some activities are offered off site and a couple of the favorites are hikes on the Ice Age Trail led by Iron Bull and pontoon boat rides on Lake Wausau. Another off site favorite is Cycling Without Age which often ends with a stop at Briq’s for ice cream.

The Landing is more than a space at the Y. It is a community asset which is clearly meeting an unmet need in the Wausau area. The growing number in the 55+ category at the Y over the last four years is a testament to that. Data suggests that loneliness and isolation can affect both mental and physical health. The Landing offers an antidote to those issues by providing a place to socialize and even make new friends.

Stop in at the Y. Make an appointment to tour The Landing. Grab a cup of coffee, have some popcorn, listen to the chatter, and see for yourself why the place is bursting at the seams. The Y is for everyone and scholarships are available.

Wausau is fortunate to have The Landing. It makes our community a healthier and more vibrant place to live.

Mary Nell Reif of Wausau

Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.