MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
September 21, 2022
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair (left early, at 10:04 am), Pam Stocking —Vice Chair, Sandy Chipman, Jessica Knapp, Cynthia Lampman (arrived 9:48 am), Manuela Michailescu, Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney.
The meeting started at 9:30 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that a quorum existed (5 of 6 members present, later on all 6).
The minutes of the August 17, 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.
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
• Heritage Day/Fiber Arts Show on October 1 — Deb Martin talked about the meeting participants to the Fiber Art Show had the previous evening at the Community Center and showed Commission members the “schedule/chart” she created with names, contact info, activities, etc. She proposed that SYR Commission members get such a Contact Info sheet including Town Supervisor, Liaison to the SYR Commission, Commission members, etc.
The Fiber Arts Show would be named “Show Me” and include activities as knitting, tapestry weaving, sewing, yarn craft, magic bracelets, fiber processing and spinning, weaving demo, also story telling and presentations. Help is needed inside the Community Center (Sally Roy is in charge of this zone).
Then Ashley Sweeney presented her (written) DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Summer Program — was fantastic, mixing fun and learning/educational trips. The survey sent to Counselors was very helpful as feedback and entirely positive.
• Paint Classes — an adult paint class took place on August 29th at 10 am (when a lighthouse was painted); classes are very successful; for next year 1 adult class and 1 youth class per month are intended, depending on availability.
• Fall Festival — held by the Lions Club, on Saturday, September 17th, in the Town Park, was also a success. The Recreation Department had a booth for face painting and crafts.
• Friends of Historic Rochester had an amazing Farmstead Bus Tour the same morning of September 17th, from 9 am—11:30 am (rescheduled from July). The Bus Tour included 10 farms, with stops at the Joachim Schoonmaker Farm (owner Jack Schoonmaker) and the Hornbeck-Davis Farm (Arrowhead Farm Agr. Center).
• Heritage Day — October 1st, 11 am—6 pm. The Rec Department will be hosting the Pie Contest and will run 3 eating contests after the pie contest and pie auction (pie eating, donuts on a string and cookie race). Kids would be able to sign up for these contests on the day of the event at the booth. There will be specific times they will take place (starting around 2 pm). Rita Harkins and Pam Stocking will be at the booth.
• After School Program — starting on October 3rd. So far 20 kids signed up, there is still space, hopefully more would sign up.
• Newsletters are back! — they were distributed last week (to local businesses and the school district as well as mailers).
• Basketball Program — there are 4 registration dates in October (4th, 6th, 11th and 13th). We will be running clinic again this year.
• Nomination for the Mary Lee Friend of Youth Award — received, for Gary Palmer; Pam Stocking made a motion to approve the nomination, Jessica Knapp seconded and it was approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS
• Youth Halloween Party — October 28th from 5 pm—7 pm. Jessica probably would make it as DJ; for this party and also for the Thanksgiving luncheon (Friday, November 18th, 11:30 am —1:30 pm) the Department has sign up sheets started. Help needed for both.
• Medicare Consultations — at the Community Center, October 21st, November 7th and December 1st. People interested must make an appointment (by calling the Ulster County Office for the aging).
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the last point on the agenda:
• Manuela suggested to have a moment of silence for Douglas Dittmar at the Thanksgiving Luncheon (remind Ashley about this ahead of time).
• Jessica and Pam asked if Minnewaska Park and Sam’s Point have been ever included in our Summer Programs (yes, they were).
• Manuela proposed Marjorie (Marge) Bogert as a potential new SYR Commission member. Ashley to talk to her — all agree.
• Jessica proposed a donation jar to be used for the paint classes.
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 am — Jessica Knapp made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Sandy Chipman and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on October 19th, 2022, 9:30 am, at the Community Center.
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary