Tom Taylor receiving his past president plaque from incoming president Jacquie Olmsted

The 14th Annual Seneca River Days

Friday and Saturday July 11th & 12th, 2008
Mercer Park, Baldwinsville, NY

Join the Rotary Club of Baldwinsville for the 14th annual Seneca River Day on Friday and Saturday, July 11th & 12th.

Events for the two days include:

FRIDAY:

“KIDZ KARNIVAL”

Free Door Prize tickets given to each child who attends - Prizes given on the hour – must be present to win

5:00 Children’s Activity Tent and amusement rides open

5:15 Karate Dojo Demonstration

5: 45 Always Dancing Demonstration

6:05 Door Prize sponsored by David A. Horan Agency (must be present to win)

6:15 Snakes n Stuff show sponsored by Lindsy Luu, State Farm Insurance

7:00 Water Chestnut Relay Race

7:05 Door Prize sponsored by David A. Horan Agency (must be present to win)

7:15 The Bubble Man, Doug Rougeux show sponsored by Seneca Federal Savings &Loan

8:05 Door Prize sponsored by David A. Horan Agency (must be present to win)

8:15 The Twin Magicians show sponsored by Timber Tree Service

9:10 Child’s Bicycle Door Prize sponsored by HSBC Bank USA, N A

9:30 Fireworks by Auburn/Telstar Display Fireworks, Inc. of Auburn, NY (sponsored by Hudson & Mowins

SATURDAY:

7:30 a.m.: Breakfast at First United Methodist Church-Sponsor Boy Scout Troop 80

9:00 a.m.: Seneca River Duck Waddle

9:30 a.m.: Seneca River Duck Run

9:30 to 4:00: Food, children’s tent & Vendors Open, as well as amusement rides

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: DJ Aaron Bullis

11:00 Water Ski Show

2:15 Anything That Floats Contest Sponsored by Rosemary Bucci

3:00 Water Ski Show

4:00 Duck Race

The culmination of this exciting community wide event is the

Great Seneca River Duck Race – 4:00 pm: Participants purchase a duck for $5.00. All numbered ducks are loaded in a tub, in a boat on the river and are dropped in the water. The ducks are funneled to a “winners sleeve” where they are then placed on the Winner Board. Duck numbers are matched with ticket buyers and winners are announced. The prizes are as follows:

1st. $2000 cash prize sponsored by Rotary Club of Baldwinsville

2nd $1000 cash prize sponsored by Honda City

3rd $500 cash prize Falardeau Funeral Home

4th $250 cash prize sponsored by B. Dean Johnson, Architect

5th $200 cash prize sponsored by Horan Financial Services

6th 12 months of $25 gift cert to Canal Walk Café sponsored by Dawn Custer

7th WMF Photography Portrait Package sponsored by WMF Photography-value $213.84

8th Overnight Trip for 2 to Toronto or Montréal, ($250 value), sponsored by WSEN FM

9th Overnight Stay at the Red Mill Inn $123 value sponsored by the Red Mill Inn

10th Gift Bag (artwork, stationery, etc) ($100 value, sponsored by Milescape Art

11th Dinner Boat Cruise (Erie Canal or Skaneateles Lake) ($94 value sponsored by Mid-Lakes Navigation Co)

12th Green Ivy Florist – Arrangement & Gift Certificate value $80

Funds raised help support many local and international programs such as the new University Hospital children’s wing in Syracuse, Baldwinsville Scholarship Fund, B.O.C.E.S. Awards, Senior Christmas Luncheon, Dictionaries to all 3rd graders in the Baldwinsville area and more.

Tickets can be purchased that day or in advance from any Rotary member or by calling 638-1507 to have a ticket application mailed to you. You may also email us. Download registration/ticket flyer .

Anything Goes!

Dumping the Ducks

Baldwinsville Youth Exchange Weekend - February 2004

by Ann Smiley Thursday started with much anticipation on the part of everyone involved. For host families, they wondered if the students would enjoy their home and family; for the students, would they like their host family; and for the weekend organizers, did we plan enough, will the students and families be a match, will everything go OK? Well Thursday evening came and there was much excitement. The students were happy to see each other and do some catching up, but the mini reunion was short lived as students were whisked off to meet their host families and get settled in for their long weekend. Host families for the weekend included Rotarians: Bob & Lauri Craig, Stan & Cheryl Dombroski, Dave & Ann Horan, Andrea & Don Ives, Dean & Betsy Johnson, Harlow & Bonnie Kisselstein, Bob & Marty Sedlak, and Ann & Jim Smiley. Non Rotarians hosting students included Bill & Barb Donaghey, Paul & Elida Edelman, Sally Fedrizzi, Tony & Linda Geiss and Marty & Bev Quinn.
Friday went very well. It started with students being dropped off at the Library to put book labels on dictionaries (to be handed out later in the day). From there, Rotary drivers Jacquie Olmsted, Bob Craig, Mic Jenkins, Mindy Taylor and Stan & Cheryl Dombroski shuffled students to their next destination – the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Many thanks to guides Maggie, Roger & Shawn – they were excellent and quite knowledgeable. Special thanks to Cheryl’s brother Shawn for the elephant demo. We were very fortunate the weather was as good as it was for the outside tour of the zoo!
Next stop - Lunch at Hoffman's Hot Haus in Fairmount – many thanks to them for discounts and free meals!
Destination Dictionary: The students were divided and went to two elementary schools (Reynolds & McNamara) to hand out dictionaries to third grade students. 3rd graders & YE students both enjoyed the question & answer period. YE students at Reynolds received a tour of school by Principal Frey & were sung to by one of the music classes. Check out the schools web site link to see pictures & details. http://www.bville.org/re/projects/specialevents.htm
Next stop – B’Ville Sports Bowl, where everyone participated with all levels of skill. Top scorer was Carlos - Good Job! Special thanks to Sharon at the Sports Bowl for the special pricing. As fatigue began to set in with the 2nd game they decided to end early and move on to Mic Jenkin's house early just to relax, play games, & eat pizza. Bill Stevens & Mary arrived to see the students & update them on upcoming events for the rest of the year. After a long day of bonding and memory making, the students gave lots of hugs as they headed home with their host families. Special thanks to Mic & Marilyn Jenkins for hosting this fun and relaxing evening.
Saturday morning was spent with host families, with a noon meeting at Beaver Lake Nature Center. Special thanks to Bruce Stebbins, Rotarian and Director at Beaver Lake for arranging the afternoon and for going out with the kids……it was an afternoon of snow shoeing & ice cutting demos. Many snowball fights occurred……lots of chills & wet clothes--most of all tremendous FUN!
Saturday evening was the Pot Luck Family Dinner with YE students, host families & friends. It was most entertaining with intro's of each student & a little story about their year here so far (they could choose an interesting, embarrassing or funny story and it proved to be much fun). A dance followed dinner where lots of energy was burned up. The evening was filled with good food, good friends and lots of laughter! Many thanks again to Mic & Marilyn Jenkins for arranging the church hall and organizing the dinner.
Sunday morning was tough for all – exchange students and host families. There were lots of hugs and I think everyone was disappointed that it was all over so soon. Drivers home included Rotarians: Dick Baker, Tim McMahon, Jacquie Olmsted, Bruce Stebbins, and Tom Taylor. Also driving home were non Rotarians, Jill Hayes, Tony & Linda Geiss and Marty & Bev Quinn.
Thanks to Charlie Francis for arranging host families and drivers for the weekend – great job!
Special thanks to Bob Craig for organizing the weekend’s activities, hosting and driving. You made the Baldwinsville Rotary Club shine and better yet, gave the YE students a weekend they won’t ever forget. In the words of Bob Craig “ A great (exhausting) weekend was had by all!”
Thanks for the memories!
B’Ville is proud to be home to our Youth Exchange Student – Kim Schick (as was evidenced by the cake at the dinner) from Brauweiler, Germany. Kim came to us is late August and is a senior at Baker High School. She has been very active at school and in December was in the school musical. At the Pot Luck dinner, she treated us to a tap dance exhibition, a skill she learned for use in the musical – nice job Kim! She has also done some traveling with her hosts families, attended the Rotary conference in Chataugua and recently went to Florida courtesy of B’Ville Rotarian Bob Bitz.
Upon returning home after her year as an exchange student, Kim will complete her 12th grade, then attend college, majoring in American Studies. Kim has a strong background in languages particularly English and French. Piano and tennis help “round out” Kim as an exceptional young lady.

A Tale of Three S's: Seminar, Stan, and Service

by Ann Smiley It all started one Saturday in late March when then President Elect (now President) Stan Dombroski (Baldwinsville) attended a Rotary District Leadership Seminar. As part of the seminar, the participants broke down into groups to brainstorm and come up with a service idea and details about how it could be carried out. In Stan's group, they formulated an idea around seniors with the final presentation being what you will read further along. As they were talking and planning, all Stan could think was that the project was "DO"able and so presented it to the Baldwinsville Board. After an official OK from the board and with promises of little or no cost to the club, Stan started working on getting donations and talking with the Syracuse (Nursing) Home officials - the project quickly came together. In presenting it at a membership meeting, two members offered financial assistance and the ball was rolling. The date was set, supplies ordered and picked up and the small but hard working group assembled.

The project included digging out & installing a pond & a bench (made by Stan) and landscaping upon finish. Helping with the day were Rotarians: Stan Dombroski, Mike Kasprzak, Mic Jenkins, Sharon Hiltbrand , Andrea Ives and Ann Smiley. Also on hand and much appreciated were helpers Don Ives (Andrea's husband) and Robbie Smiley (Ann's son). The weather was great, the ground relatively soft and the company terrific! After selecting a location (right outside the main entrance and within view of the windows), the group made quick work of digging out the area. After some leveling, the stone-looking pond was placed. Dirt fill and slate stones were placed around the pond and it was filled. The area was mulched, flowers planted, and the fountain was put together and installed. After a small skirmish with the power source, the fountain was spraying, and residents and family members were oohing and aahing!

Big decisions of the day included location of the pond and bench and deciding which one of Andrea's muffin's to eat first! Many thanks for the day go to: Stan (Timber Tree) for organizing, arranging and picking up supplies and for bringing tools and supplies. Also, Stan donated the mulch, made the beautiful bench and did his best to keep us in line that morning! Mike for donating the pond and fountain; Andrea for the muffins and for having Don come. Their knowledge and keen eye for plantings was most helpful! Robbie for realizing that service and donating your time can be fun and rewarding; North Country Farm Stand/Downer Street for donating 3 flats of plantings; Agway for giving a discounted price on the pond and fountain Tom & Jerry's Pet shop-Erie Blvd West for fish & fish food; Bob Bitz for donating $100.00 for stone and a plaque for the bench; Syracuse Home for allowing us the opportunity to serve (and for the coffee and donuts).

As we wrapped up our morning's work, residents and their families, volunteers and Rotary members gazed at the finished product and talked about what a great addition it was. Some folks watched from inside and some from out, but all were pleased in the end. As we were preparing to leave, Stan & I looked over to the bench and there was Mike - engaged in a deep conversation with a resident, relaxing and enjoying the pond when not long before he was anxious to finish up and get home. Service - it is a good feeling!