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Recreation Director's Report It is the middle of September all ready, and these are the days I like best. The air is a little cooler, the colors are beginning to make their annual transformation, and it's a great time to be outdoors. Fall time means schools are open and the lifeguards have exchanged their sunscreen & whistles for books and homework assignments. I'd like to take a minute to thank the lifeguards for their efforts. The Swim Area had a special group of individuals watching over its water's this summer. They were a caring & companionate people who took pride in their job. Six out of the nine guards on staff grew up & live here in Pittsford and went through the swim program at the rec. It was great to see these guards pass along some of the knowledge that was given to them. The Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program finished with a total of 97 participants, not a record breaking number but it's respectable. (Total swim lesson participation numbers are 97 in 2007, 102 in 2006, 117 in 2005, & 72 in 2004.) The Recreation Department is offering a Hunter Safety program this fall. For the third consecutive year, this program is being held at the VT Police Academy rather than in the conference room at the Town Offices. The Academy classrooms can accommodate a much larger class size, which allows participants and parents to learn in a much more comfortable setting. Pittsford resident Mr. Rick Hedding is our instructor for this class. He enjoys teaching his students knowledge & skills that some of them will retain and use for the rest of their lives. This is the third year in a row he has taught this program for the Recreation Department. The Pittsford Youth Soccer program began on Saturday morning, September 8. Participant numbers are up from last fall with a total of 98 (93/2006, 90/2005 & 76/2004) participants between the age of 4 and the 4th grade that are playing. Mr. Dick Williams, Otter Valley Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, and some of his players are assisting me with the actual on-field instruction of the 4 & 5 year olds and the 1st& 2nd graders. This is the sixth straight year the OV girls varsity soccer team has been associated with this program. There’s no doubt that the OV girls are an invaluable piece of the puzzle that makes this program so strong. The 3rd & 4th grade group is so large, (42 boys & girls) this fall that we to split up into three teams, two 3/4 Boys teams and a 3/4 Girls team. All three teams have their own coaches, separate practices, and their own game schedules. As I've stated the past several months the Recreation Department is working closely with the new senior citizen group called "Pittsford Seniors." On August 23 (the 4th Thursday of the month), the group sponsored their first luncheon at the VT Police Academy. Over 62 area seniors pre-registered with the Recreation Department for the meal. Each luncheon will feature a keynote speaker and a nutritious meal. June Kelly, Asst. Director of the Criminal Justice Training Council was the keynote speaker for this inaugural event. She gave a very informative talk on the academy, its long history and the significant role it plays educating police officers for the entire state to help keep us all safe. After she spoke and after quick Q & A session, she took folks on a fantastic tour of the facilities. For some of the seniors who have lived in Pittsford all their lives this was the first time that they ever have had an opportunity to go on such a grand tour of the facility. The Recreation Department helps by getting their message out to residents. And the seniors must call the Recreation Department to pre-register for each luncheon. I had residents contact us because the Town Offices are set to take calls professionally and efficiently. Seniors who are trying to pre-register feel comfortable leaving a message in my office. On Saturday, October 13, 2007, the Recreation Department and the Maclure Library are co-sponsoring the annual Pittsford Pumpkin Party at the Recreation Area, 10, 11:30 am. This is a family oriented autumn type of event with activities such as arts & crafts, hayrides, and decorating pumpkins. Hot chocolate, popcorn, and apples are always treats for the children. The Recreation Department is seeking volunteers to help on the day of the program with the actual activities themselves, please consider helping if you're available. Also face painters are needed to paint small designs on young children's faces, no special talent needed just a wiliness to try.
Other programs the Recreation Department is sponsoring this fall are the
Pittsford Pumpkin Party, a Halloween Teen Dance, Kripalu Yoga, Men's & Women's
Open Basketball, and Cardio-Kickboxing / Aerobics. Also recently, I was
approached by the Brandon Recreation Department to consider co-sponsoring a
learn-to-ski program at the Middlebury Snow Bowl this winter. I was happy to say
we'd consider it, but I made it clear to Mr. Surpitski that we need to make
certain that the ski program is affordable & educational, and we need to provide
transportation to and from the mountain. Together our two departments could
offer a nice program. We're scheduled to meet with the
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