MINUTES
YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING
May 22, 2014

The meeting started at 9:45 am.
Present: All five members – Sandy Chipman, Jessica Knapp, Sue Matson,
Manuela Michailescu, Pam Stocking and Recreation/Youth Department
Director Carol Dennin.

After establishing that there is a quorum for the meeting, the minutes
of the April 24, 2014 meeting were reviewed by all. Pam Stocking made
a motion to approve them and Sandy Chipman seconded the motion, which
was approved unanimously.

Director Carol Dennin presented highlights of her report:

— The department’s quarterly newsletter got a necessary facelift –
Commission members check the new design, which is clear, well
organized and features a very visible Town of Rochester title/logo

— Next activities: June 13 – Kicking summer with the DJ; June 20 –
movie night for older kids

— Kids go free to the Accord Speedway and Kelder’s Farm

— 3 kids are active in the Rent-A-Kid program

— Yard Sale to help offering sponsorships for the Summer Program
starts on June 2 (and lasts Monday to Friday)

— June 18 – AARP driving classes at the Recreation Center ($20 for
AARP members, about 6 hours)

— Mystery Murder Dinner Cafe show – they’d come back the first Friday
in October

— Bus for the summer program – situation regarding a new/replacement
bus is still uncertain; hope to be able to have trips to New York City
(Bronx Zoo, iMax, Museums); Sue Matson reminds everyone about
organizing potential fishing trips (in Sullivan County)

The meeting continued with the discussion regarding Memorial Day
observance, specifically the Veterans Park ceremony dedicated to
fallen local hero Sgt. Shawn Farrell and participation to the parade.

For the Veterans Park ceremony, Manuela Michailescu brought a poem by
Michael Province (“It is the soldier”) which Jessica Knapp is going
to read right before presenting the emotional script she found for the
“Fallen Comrades Table” moment. This is going to be created as a most
solemn part of the ceremony.
Manuela would bring the chair while Jessica is going to buy and/or
bring all the other necessary symbolical objects (table, black and
white tablecloths, rose, vase, candle, sword, gloves, plate, glass,
salt, lemon), plus small flags, 2-color pins, printouts of the script
for distribution, etc.

For the parade – the float is decorated by kids, with drawings/signs
dedicated to Sgt. Shawn Farrell, flags and red, white and blue
flowers. The kids were told to come to the Veterans Park at 11 am for
the ceremony there.

The meeting adjourned around 10:40 am.

Next meeting: Thursday, June 26, 2014, 9:30 am at the Community Center.