KENNEDY - Members of Kennedy Pride held their recent meeting in Hallquist Park for the first time this season. Enjoying the beauty of the park they did much to create always inspires the group.
Co-President Steve Stanton opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then a summary of the last meeting was given. Eunice Speta reported that the Victorian Tea had been a very successful fundraiser. She noted that Donna Eskeli had been a great help as emcee for the event. Almost 100 guests enjoyed the afternoon, and several people encouraged the organizers to hold another tea in the future. Group members expressed their thanks to the ladies of the Grange for supplying so many cookies for the Victorian Tea.
Shirley Leyman has placed two more shrubs by the town clock. She hopes to put some perennials in soon. Pride members thanked her for her beautification efforts.
Ms. Leyman reported that new Kennedy Pride t-shirts and hoodies have been ordered, and should be available soon. They will be brought to the Kennedy Free Library when they are ready.
Clarence Robbins asked Larry Mee where the paving of the walking path in Hallquist Park stands. Mr. Mee stated that the Town Board had approved the work, and it is just a matter of when the Highway Department workers can do work. He said they are hoping to be able to do it in June or July. Their schedule of projects has been affected by the budget delays in Albany. Kennedy Pride had already voted to pay for the blacktop.
Mr. Mee stated that the clean-up day went very well. He said that he felt there was a lot less roadside debris than when the annual event was started. They had a 30-yard dumpster full, which they crushed down to make it fit. One family redoing an old house brought five pickup loads. He stated that since the price per bag was raised at the transfer station in January, they have seen an increase in items dumped along the roads and outlying areas.
Linda Bish noted that Pride needed to vote on a porta-john for the park during the summer. She stated that Town Clerk Barb Czerniak had sent her an estimate for costs. The Town wants to know if Kennedy Pride would be willing to pay half the expense. Since there will be several events in the park all summer, as well as general usage, Pride members felt it was a very reason able expense, and voted to approve paying half the cost. The matter will be brought up at the next Town of Poland Board meeting.
The Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. in Hallquist Park. Following the service, a community picnic will be held, with music provided by Michael Lettieri in the gazebo.
On Saturday, July 17, Ken Mesel will play in the park from 6 to 8 p.m. The Battle of the Bands will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 5 to 10 p.m. Six bands will compete, and those attending will vote for the best bands. Kennedy Pride will provide cash prizes for the bands. A September concert is being planned as well. All concerts are free admission, with refreshments available.
Clarence Robbins asked what happened to the community events sign that was on the four corners in Kennedy. Larry Mee stated that it was up at the Highway Department building, since it had to be moved when the town clock was sited. Pride members felt that it could be placed in Hallquist Park and used to inform people of upcoming events. This will be looked into. Mr. Mee noted that the town clock is working correctly now. New solar batteries were installed, and that seems to be doing the trick. He said that it looks like the batteries will last about six months each.
Bonnie Heath asked if Kennedy Pride would have a workday in the park, especially to get the bridge in the park cleaned and stained. Steve Stanton said he has a power washer, and would ask the neighboring business if they could hook into his water supply. After it has been cleaned, he said it could wait for a while before staining.
Mr. Stanton asked how many members planned to walk in the Memorial Day parade. He was willing to get a car for members who couldn't walk. Several members said they wanted to participate.
Pride members noted that Mr. Mee had started putting up the American flags on poles around the town. He stated that they have almost 200 that they put up. He got a new box of 50 flags to cover replacements, and will bring some down to the library for sale to the public. The all-weather flags are American-made and purchased through Geer-Dunn. Linda Bish said that she had already had several people asking to purchase new flags.
The next meeting of Kennedy Pride will be the Flag Retirement Ceremony in Hallquist Park on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who has a flag they would to have honorably retired may contact Barb Czerniak at 267-2912 or Linda Bish at 267-4265. A picnic will be held after the service. Everyone is encouraged to attend.