Town of Pittsford, Vermont

Recreation Director's Report

November 12, 2007

            October and November are as productive and busy as any other is during the year. Over the past couple of months, we have been busy running fall programs, planning winter activities and concentrating on creating a Work Plan & Budget for FY 2009. This year the Select Board asked the Department Heads to create a "lean & mean" budget.

            On Saturday, October 13, the Recreation Department and the Maclure Library co-sponsored our sixth annual Pittsford Pumpkin Party at the Recreation Area. Over 140 people attended which shattered our previous high by thirty or so. I think there was a combination of factors that helped create such an increase in attendance. First and foremost we had an absolutely fantastic autumn morning to host our event. The sun was shining and temperature began cool & crisp and warmed throughout the event. Secondly I was able to advertise our program in the Town of Pittsford Newsletter that went out to residents just a couple weeks before. As I said last month, it helps the Recreation Department when the newsletter is consistently being published 3 to 4 times a year and is mailed to every Pittsford residence. Thank you to Mark Winslow and his family for donating approximately 100 sugar pumpkins for the event. Each year children like to be able to "hunt" for their "own" favorite pumpkin and decorate it they way they see fit. Year after year the kids come up with some really unique and interesting creations. We changed the old schedule around some to accommodate a new a magician performance at the Pumpkin Party. Hocus Pocus Magic Show (Blaine Goad) kept kids entertained and engaged the entire time he had their attention. Children said they enjoyed his jokes and magic tricks, but most of all they liked the "real rabbit" he made disappear. Families also enjoyed going on a real hay wagon ride. I'd like to say thank you to Allen Hitchcock for donating the use of his wagon. Also thanks to Rob Ketcham who volunteered his time to drive the Recreation Department's Kubota that pulled the hay ride around. Folks enjoyed eating fresh popped corn, tasty Empire apples, and drinking hot chocolate.

            On Friday, October 26, the Recreation Department and the Brandon Recreation Department co-sponsored our annual Halloween Teen Dance at the VT Police Academy. This year's dance was very successful with 207 teens (7-10 graders) attending, some of which were dressed in costume. I'd like to thank John D'Esposito for coordinating the police officers we have present at each of our teen nights at no cost to the Recreation Departments. Overall, the evening went smoothly, and teens had a fun and safe time. Thank you to the parents who volunteered to chaperone. I appreciate the fact that Pittsford parents have been so willing to volunteer to help when asked. I'd like to thank the parent chaperones who volunteered to take time out of their schedules to help us keep a close watch on everything. Thanks to Kyri Cimonette, Kelly Giard, Rob Ketcham, Robin Leight, Patty Morale, Ann Rademacher, Kathleen Ramsay, Lisa Rost, Kathy Shortsleeves, and Karen Tolman. I'd also like to extend a "special" thank you to Crystal & April Hutchins for doing a fantastic job year after year with the concession stand. Which by the way was the last time they will be in charge of running it. After close to 10 years of service April cannot commit to running it any longer. Which means for the first time since I've been the Recreation Director that I'm actively searching for a volunteer/volunteers who would be willing to operate our concession stand at all 4 teen dances a year. This person plays a key role in the overall success of our teen events. Our next teen dance is the Holiday Freeze and is scheduled for Friday, December 7.

On Thursday, October 25 (the 4^th Thursday of the month), "Pittsford Seniors" sponsored their third monthly luncheon at the VT Police Academy. Over 30 people pre-registered and took advantage of the program. Each luncheon features a keynote speaker. Robin Rowe of the Pittsford Food Shelf was last month's speaker. These luncheons are meant to give local seniors a nutritious meal at an affordable price ($4.00 for people 60 and older & $4.50 for everyone else) so they can get out socialize with neighbors and friends. The next monthly luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, November 15 @ 1:00 pm. Keynote speaker is Steve Costello and he’ll be discussing CVPS's Eagle Nesting Program.(*Note due to the holidays the November & December luncheons will happen a week earlier than normally scheduled.) The Pittsford Recreation Department is happy to announce that it is sponsoring a bus trip to the Paramount Theatre to see Charles Dickens' holiday classic "A Christmas Carol". This show takes place on Thursday morning December 6 at 10:00 am. The fee is just $14.00 (includes transportation by "The Bus" & admission to the Paramount).

On Saturday, November 17, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Lothrop Gym the Recreation Department is sponsoring a Holiday Craft Sale. There will be many unique items for folks to purchase.

On Saturday, December 8, The Pittsford Recreation Department and the Sugar Hollow Sno Mads (Pittsford's Snowmobile Club) will co-sponsor a State of VT Snowmobile Safety Course at the Pittsford Fire Station. This class is mandatory for anyone who wishes to operate a snowmobile in VT and was born after 1983. This will be the 5^th year in a row and 6^th time in seven years that the Recreation Department has co-sponsored this particular program. Over the last 5-10 years, snowmobiling has grown in popularity, and every year there are more riders on the trails so it's crucial that new and young riders be taught the proper laws, and techniques that govern the snow highways.

Over the past several weeks, the Recreation Department has been working on putting the youth basketball program together. We are expecting a large number of participants in our 1^st - 4^th grade program this winter and have tried to plan accordingly. Like last season the first graders will have its own co-ed team that will have it's own coaches and practice times. The second graders will work exactly the same way as the first graders, they will have their own coaches and separate practice times. The third graders will have its own boys team and its own girls team. the fourth graders will have a boys team as well as a girls team. Since we have the numbers to split the third and forth grade teams both the fourth grade teams will begin the first week December, a month earlier than normal.

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