Celebrating community collaboration

By TOM KANE

CALLICOON, NY — The Delaware Youth Center will hold a celebration to thank all those who came to their aid during the wash-out caused by the recent storm.

The event will take place on Friday, July 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the center on Creamery Road in Callicoon.

“Senator John Bonacic will join us for the celebration and he will bat out the first ball on the new tennis courts,” said Tess McBeath, chairman of the center’s board.

McBeath, who is the Town of Delaware Clerk, made the announcement at the town board meeting on June 15.

Bonacic secured a $10,000 grant from the state for repairs to the center’s grounds that were devastated in the flooding on April 1, 2005 weekend.

“We have to get the pool ready for July,” McBeath said. “We need a new pump, new chlorinator, filter and chemicals. The playground has to receive some repairs before it will be safe to use. The baseball field will receive an initial seeding but the entire infield will be dug up and clay put in. Also our athletic shed isn’t usable as it is. It will take a lot of repairs. We still have a lot to do. The senator’s generous offer will be an enormous help.”