Recreation Director’s Report
December 12, 2011
Happy Holidays to every one who has supported the Recreation Department in one way or another over the last year. I would like personally like to thank all the organizations, the individuals, & the parents who have donated their time, their expertise, and/or their resources so that the residents of Pittsford could reap the benefits. Just as importantly, I’d also like to thank the countless number of volunteers who help out and assist the Recreation Department. Volunteers are the key component to the success or failure of just about every program that the Recreation Department has to offer. As the Recreation Director I depend a great deal on these wonderful people to facilitate the programs we offer and I would like to make sure they know how much I appreciate what they do by saying “thank you, thank you very much”. Finally, I would like to recognize the Recreation Committee for their assistance and support they provide throughout the entire year. As I’ve said before, many of the programs, classes, and events could not have been planned, offered, or sponsored without the assistance and support of the Recreation Committee.
On Saturday, November 19, 2011 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Lothrop Gym the Recreation Department sponsored a Holiday Craft Sale. There were plenty of holiday type items for folks to purchase. I can proudly say over all $848.00 was donated to the “Santa Fund”. (The average donation each year from this event has been around $200 per year.) Mrs. Johnson and her devoted crew deserves all the credit for the success, they all worked together to pull off a fantastic sale this year.
December marks the beginning of another basketball season for the Lothrop School and the Recreation Department. The 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th grade teams will practice the month of December and games will begin after the New Year. The Recreation Department’s Youth Basketball program for grades 1st – 2nd will begin on Saturday, January 7, 2012 and will run six Saturday mornings ending on February 11th for most of the groups. The 1st & 2nd grade programs are designed to teach kids some basic skills and to give them an opportunity to be on the court side by side with teammates. The 3rd/4th grade teams are a little more advanced with higher expectations. At this level they work a little harder on skill development, while at the same time they need to start to learn positioning on the court because they do play a few games.
On Thursday, December 1, 2011 the Recreation Department sponsored a trip to see Natalie MacMaster at the Paramount Theater in Rutland. 23 seniors rode the school bus type bus chartered from Bet-cha Transit of Middlebury. Everyone had such a enjoyable time that at the Pittsford Seniors monthly meeting planned another trip to the Paramount in March 2012 to see Celtic Night: Journey of Hope. Other programs that also are being researched for the spring are computers, Bridge & Spanish classes.
On Friday, December 9, 2011 the Pittsford Recreation Department & Brandon Recreation Departments co-sponsored our annual Winter Freeze Teen Dance at the VT Police Academy. 155 teens in grades 7-10 participated in this event. I’d like to thank the parent chaperones who volunteered to take time out of their hectic schedules to help us keep a close watch on everything. Thank you to Kathy Beayon, Vicky Falco, Melissa Felkl, Jeff Jones, Tom Kingsley, Tammy & Eric Leno, Dawn McKay, Missy Williams, &
Mark Winslow. I’d also like to extend a “special thank you” to Kelly Shannon and
Kathy Shortsleeves who operated the concession stand. I’m thankful, as were the teens, for the services they provided to the event. The kids look forward seeing Mrs. Shortsleeves.
I’d also like to thank John D’Esposito for coordinating the police officers we have present at each of our teen dances at no cost to the Recreation Departments. These officers are sponsored by the Rutland County’s START (Stop Teen Alcohol Risk Team) in an effort to help bring about healthy, drug and alcohol-free fun activities for the area kids. Thank you to Brandon Police Department “Student Resource Officer”, Ann Bandy, who was present that night to provide an extra layer of security. Time after time the officers do an outstanding job assisting us and I want to let everyone know that we appreciate it.
On December 3, the Pittsford Recreation Department and the Sugar Hollow Sno Mads (Pittsford’s Snowmobile Club) co-sponsored a State of VT Snowmobile Safety Course at the Pittsford Fire Station. This class is mandatory for anyone wishing to operate a snowmobile in VT who was born after 1983. This will be the 6th year in a row and 7th time in eight years that the Recreation Department has co-sponsored this particular program. Snowmobiling continues to grow 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.
She’s Backkk… After a few months away Joanie Imperato is ready to return to teach our “famous”, long running aerobics/kickboxing program once again. The Tuesday night program will be starting back up after New Year’s on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 and will maintain it’s 5:30-6:30 pm time slot in the Lothrop Gym.