MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
August 17, 2022
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Pam Stocking —Vice Chair, Sandy Chipman, Manuela Michailescu, Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney and Bethany Dennin, Assistant to the Director.
Absent: Jessica Knapp, Cynthia Lampman (new Commission member).
The meeting started at 9:35 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that a quorum existed (4 out of 6 members present).
The minutes of the June 18, 2022 meeting were reviewed and amendments made; Pam Stocking made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Sandy Chipman seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
Ashley Sweeney presented her (written) DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Farm and Barn Day — The Recreation Department Youth booth (at the event organized by the Historic Preservation Commission on July 23rd at the Town Park) was a big hit! They had baby pools filled with corn for kids to play and dig in, farm-themed corn hole, crossword puzzles and word searches. Bethany brought in a saddle for the kids to sit on so they could see what it feels like to ride a horse.
Special thanks to Deb Martin, Lauren Tully and Bill Beveridge for singing at this event (despite the very hot weather!).
• Summer Program — is going really well. Next week is the last week of the program. Among the highlights — trips to Vanderbilt Mansion, Bethel Woods, Splashdown. Today they went to the West Point Museum and the following day (Aug. 18) they go to visit the Palentown School Museum and have a barbeque at Outpost (on Route 209). Ashley said it’s exciting to spend the day locally.
• Paint Classes — in July the department held one youth paint class — 15 children attended, it was a lot of fun. Also planning to host an adult paint class for August (Bethany is considering August 29th at 10 am), as well as a youth class with our Summer Program.
• Fall Festival — held by the Lions Club on Saturday, September 17th, in the Town Park. The Recreation Department will have a booth for kids there.
• Friends of Historic Rochester is trying to have the Farmstead Bus Tour rescheduled (from July) to the morning of September 17th, from 9 am—11:30 am.
• Heritage Day — is scheduled for October 1st, 11 am—6 pm. The Rec Department will be hosting the Pie Contest again, 11 am—1pm. Applications are available in their office. The plan for this year is to put the booth on Main Street and have the band announce the winners of the contest. A pie auction will be held. Help needed for the Pie booth because Ashley and Bethany have to run around a lot this year and also run some contests for kids (pie eating, donut game?).
The car show is going to be in the parking lot and ends at 2 pm.
• After School Program — most likely begins on Monday, October 3rd. Approval on the details is still needed from the Town Supervisor and the Town Board.
• Youth Halloween party — will probably be on Friday, October 28th from 5 pm—7 pm. Save the date. Extra hands would be appreciated. Can Jessica DJ?
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
• Heritage Day — Deb Martin talked about her efforts to have a Fiber Art show; the main goal is to be more educational than last year’s Quilt show. She was and is in touch with different people including Martha Brittell from the Blue Stone Press, who loves our activities and is considering an article/interview in one of the September issues. The announcement for participants to contact Deb would be published in the September 2, 2022 issue, indicating all info regarding Heritage Day (11 am — 6 pm) and the Fiber Art show (probably 11 am — 3 pm?).
Among the ideas considered for the Fiber Art show: sheep in the back of the Community Center? Featuring looms, spinners, sewing, Native American weaving, people who do rugs? Having a table for display — crochet, etc.?
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS
• Heritage Day — Bethany clarified that 1 person would coordinate everything from the Community Center, being in touch with Ashley-Bethany-Kate Gundberg.
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the last point on the agenda:
• Deb Martin proposed a potential Art Show for community members, including children (in November?).
Also, she asked if high schoolers can help with homework in the After School program (Ashley indicated there are some teens tutoring younger kids).
The meeting adjourned at 10:18 am — Pam Stocking made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Sandy Chipman and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on September 21st, 2022, 9:30 am, at the Community Center.
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary