Member Spotlight: Joanie Van Garderen

I was born and raised in Glens Falls. It was a wonderful place to grow up. I spent my summer days at East Field playing baseball and swimming in what we called the swimming hole. The winter hours were spent at the original YMCA in downtown Glens Falls. It was super fun going on a Saturday and watching TV because we didn’t have a TV at home, and we also loved swimming in the pool.

When I was young I would spend time at the Youth Center on Warren Street dancing and playing pool. On occasion we’d go for an ice cream sundae at The Sugar Bowl. I have lots of wonderful memories.

I married a local boy, George Van Garderen, in 1962 and we started a family. We had three children - two girls and one boy. In 1970 we moved to Queensbury and I lived there until 2014. My husband and I divorced in 2007.

I worked for 44 years as a dental assistant in Glens Falls, from 1967 to 2011. I was inspired to get into the field as a teenager when I went to the dentist for my own appointment. I was curious about his work, and I asked him all sorts of questions. Because I was so interested, he hired me to work part time for him, and he taught me all about dentistry. For the majority of my career I worked at Irongate for a wonderful man and boss named Dr. Robert F. Folly. I worked there until I retired.

In 2014, after I retired, I moved to Florida with a dear friend and played golf year round and enjoyed my retirement. But I missed Queensbury and my family, so I moved back to Queensbury in 2023.

I joined QSC in 2024 and that’s when the real fun began! The Center was truly the answer for me. I joined a bunch of activities. I spend 5 days per week coming to the Center. I go to Stretch and Tone and Zumba with Ann, Silver Sneakers with Buffy, and Fiber Arts on Tuesdays. I love spending time at the Center. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people and the exercise keeps me getting up every day with a smile on my face.