This is a significant year in the Family Y's history, so officials have a full calendar of events to mark it.

"This is the 150th anniversary of the YMCA in Augusta, and 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the YWCA," said Millie Schumacher, the community relations director for the Family Y, which is a merger of the two organizations.

Friday, Family Y officials held a VIP banquet at the Wilson Family Y on Wheeler Road. Staff and board members wore costumes that reflected the century and a half the YMCA has been part of the Augusta community.

The organization's oldest member, Max Bogoslawsky, was recognized for his involvement. Mr. Bogoslawsky, who will turn 96 in April, joined the YMCA in 1923. He recently cut back his swims at the Y from five days a week to three.

Also during the program, officials unveiled a photo exhibit that will be on display through the year. Special events are planned each month through year's end.

In October, the Family Y will try to earn a place in the Guinness World Records for the largest family picnic. The picnic will be combined with a concert by Amy Grant.

"The record was set in Spain in 1999. There were 8,000 people there," Ms. Schumacher said.

The picnic will be held at The First Tee of Augusta.

Ms. Schumacher said an important project for this year will be building a Miracle League field. "We wanted to have a legacy of this year," she said.

The field will be behind the Wheeler Road facility, adjacent to existing fields, and will be used for sporting programs for children with special needs. It will have a specially designed rubber turf.

People also can purchase a brick in the Sesquicentennial Walk of Fame.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.