MINUTES
SENIOR & YOUTH RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
January 18, 2023
Present: Deborah Martin — Chair, Jessica Knapp (at 10 am), Cynthia Lampman, Manuela Michailescu, Recreation Dept. Director Ashley Sweeney and Assistant Director Bethany Dennin. Also Marjorie Bogert, who applied (and was interviewed) for membership.
Absent: Pam Stocking —Vice Chair (sick-Covid), Sandy Chipman.
The meeting started at 9:45 am.
Chair Deb Martin presented the Agenda of the meeting and called the meeting to order after establishing that we’d have a quorum and we’d approve the minutes when Jessica arrives (4 of 6 members present at that time).
The minutes of the December 14, 2022 meeting were reviewed; Cynthia Lampman made a motion to approve the minutes, Jessica Knapp seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
Ashley Sweeney presented her (written) DIRECTOR’S REPORT; among the highlights:
• Senior Brunch — on January 6th (re-scheduled from December 16th because of inclement weather) was full of fun! Congratulations to Gary Palmer for receiving the 2022 “Mary Lee Friend of Youth Award.” About 65 people attended. Thanks to everyone who helped out. Special thanks to Deb Martin and Sharon Klein for playing music for us.
• Adult Paint Class — January 25th at 1 pm
• Youth Paint Class — January 31st, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Both classes are full, but people can still be put on a waiting list.
• Valentine’s Day — planning to do something with the kids in the After School Program on February 14th, not completely ironed out yet…
• Line Dancing — Hiatus because of instructor’s health (hip) issue.
CHAIR PRESENTATION — CURRENT NEWS/UPDATES
• Senior Brunch — Deb Martin praised Ashley and Bethany for how wonderful they are in everything they do and expressed special congratulations for the fabulous Senior Brunch, which included a surprise “New Year Celebration” with the “ball dropping” video from Times Square and people sharing wishes for the New Year 2023. She emphasized that she liked the inclusiveness of this event, not related to any special holiday or religion. Pleased that the Hanukkah menorah was on a table, she stressed that in the future Hannukah needs to be better represented, maybe by having a special smaller table she can help arrange (“Celebrate around the world”?).
Issue discussed more under Open Issues/Discussions.
• Embroidery Class — Carole Metsger presented (via phone, as per Deb Martin’s call) her proposal to have embroidery classes, for 6-8 weeks, 1 hour per week, on Wednesdays; she is providing all supplies. Classes may start as of February 1st, 11 am to 12 noon.
• Small canvasses — to be mixed together and create new things; Cynthia to explore the idea…
NEW BUSINESS — UPCOMING EVENTS (from the Director’s Report)
• St. Patrick’s Day — taking place on Friday, March 17th.
• Easter Egg Hunt — probably on Saturday, April 1st, with possibly April 3rd or 4th for photos with the Bunny.
OPEN ISSUES / DISCUSSIONS — was the last point on the agenda:
• Senior Brunch — considering how full of joy and successul the re-scheduled (from December to January) event was, members discussed the possibility of having such brunch always in January?
— Ashley and Bethany reminded Commission members that the Senior Brunch had always been after the Youth Holiday Party and should continue to be a celebratory event during the winter holidays, as there is no focus on any single religion or religious aspect. They think that adding another event, on a smaller scale, in January (like “coffee and sweets”) would be an ideal solution.
— Manuela mentioned the weather factor, that in December and January it’s not always possible to have events, especially for Seniors; also, the budgeting factor (having to deal with 2 different annual budgets).
— Jessica indicated that diversity can be assured by the music played.
— Manuela thanked Ashley and Bethany for creating (using photos she submitted) the emotional “memorial” collages for two community members who used to attend town events and passed away in 2022, Douglas Dittmar and Walt Bogert; also thanked Ashley for her extra efforts to make deliveries of meals (to Seniors who are shut-ins) after the Senior Brunch ended.
• Sing-along potential event — suggested by Sandy Chipman at the Senior Brunch (where she enjoyed joining the singers).
• Town Board interview of Marjorie (Marge) Bogert was on Tuesday, January 17th; appointment to SYR Commission expected soon.
• Blue Stone Press “Bunny” photo — published on page 6 of the January 6, 2023 issue, under “A year in pictures… looking back on ’22”, incorrectly indicates that (Manuela’s) photo features an event in the Marbletown Park, instead of Rochester Town Park. Manuela contacted BSP, the publisher realized she made a caption error, which is going to be corrected in the next issue. Manuela stressed that a correction is important as this photo (of Ashley, Deb/Bunny and Sienna Sergio) is actually the only one representing a Rochester Recreation Dept. activity from 2022!
The meeting adjourned at 10:35 am. Jessica Knapp made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Cynthia Lampman and approved unanimously.
Next meeting takes place on February 15th, 2023, 9:30 am, at the Community Center.
Submitted by
Manuela Michailescu
Secretary