MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
September 20, 2023
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Pam Stocking —Vice Chair, Cynthia Lampman, Jessica Knapp, Manuela Michailescu, Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney and Assistant Director Bethany Dennin.
Absent: Marjorie Bogert (absent with a cause), Sandy Chipman.
The meeting started at 9:40 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that we have a quorum (5 out of 7 members present).
The minutes of the August 16, 2023 meeting were reviewed; Pam Stocking made a motion to approve the minutes, Jessica Knapp seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
Ashley Sweeney presented the DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• After School Program — Started again on September 18th. We have a few more kids than last year signed up. That’s great but they would still like to get more kids registered, especially from the middle school. Ashley will try to get the word out more.
• Adult Paint Class — taught by Bethany on Friday, September 22nd starting at 10 am (they’d paint a barn); the class filled up very quickly.
• Basketball registration — will begin in October. The department plans to have sign ups at the Community Center this year. They will hopefully be making some changes to the program this year to iron out the hiccups they had last year.
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
• Heritage Day — on October 7th was the main issue discussed, with a focus on the Art Show at the Accord Firehouse.
Chair Deb Martin said:
— hopefully the weather is going to be good
— the Art Show would feature professional and amateur artists and photographer(s)
— supplies, bigger easels are needed; also, tables and something like table cloths
— paintings (some of which were shown to Commission members) need to be away from people; people are needed to watch the paintings (probably shifts of 2 is better)
— everybody is going to have a bio, a business card and may be able to sell after 6 pm
— some of the paintings created during painting classes to be also displayed (up to 10, on the “Our Town” theme; other theme: wheels)
Bethany suggested maybe a saxophone player would come and sing.
Cindy Lampman brought and showed her artwork based on the circle idea — collages pasted up presenting the history of her life, why she is in this area, what fascinated her; this can be done with kids from the after school program
— Bethany indicated that 2 days are needed — Cindy would come on Tuesday and Thursday to work with the kids
— Ashley mentioned that parents should get a note and told that kids’ artworks will be showcased at Heritage Day
— Another idea was that of a mural — where anybody can draw, with crayons and markers; maybe a road on which people can add/draw elements
— Bethany was enthusiastic about the idea to have music for the Art Show and having art teachers involved
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS (from the Director’s Report)
• Youth Halloween Party — on October 20th, 5—7 pm.
• Youth Pumpkin Painting Class — to be done by Ashley in October (tentative date is October 24th). More details to come. Assistance with the class probably needed when the time comes. Ashley asking if anyone is interested in volunteering…
• Thanksgiving Luncheon — on November 17th; people have already begun to sign up; Commission members put their names on the list.
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the last point on the agenda:
• Heritage Day — details discussed, finalized:
— Signage needed — for the Post Office, Firehouse (said Ashley); Deb stressed that 4 signs to direct people and welcome signs are needed for the Art Show
— Pam to come to the pie booth at 10 am
— Jessica would DJ with Brian
— Manuela to not miss taking photos of the “Live Raptor Exhibit: Live Birds of Prey” (11 am to 2 pm at Heritage Day, behind the Museum); exibit presented by Wild Mountain Birds, sponsored by the Town’s Environmental Conservation Commission.
The meeting adjourned at 10:28 am.
Cindy Lampman made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Jessica Knapp and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on October 18th, 2023, 9:30 am, at the Community Center.
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary