Delaware Sport Center and the Arc of Delaware County Celebrate Success

Five people in the Delaware Sport Center’s Small Engine Repair course celebrated their success on August 10th. Mark Fenner, Joseph Fitapelli, Paul Hamill, Gary Whiteman, and Robert Wilcox received certificates in recognition of their achievements in the course provided by Jon Armstrong , owner of Delaware Sport Center. Jon has been offering this course for the past 3 years in collaboration with the Arc of Delaware County (DelArc). Each course consists of three 9-10 week sessions throughout the year. Seasonally appropriate equipment is included in the curriculum and includes: mowers, trimmers, weed eaters, chain saws, small motor bikes, ATV’s, and snowmobiles. The course covers understanding the basics of equipment/engine components, basic preventative maintenance, breaking an engine down and putting it back together, trouble shooting, classical problems/solutions. Jon has been a strong community supporter of DelArc. “It’s been a great joy to have the guys participate. I think they’ve gotten a lot out of it. And it’s been good for us, too.”

One class participant, Paul Hamill, had an additional reason to celebrate. When he arrived for the celebration, he learned that he was being offered a job there. Engine repair has always been a strong interest of Paul's. Julie Conrow, Assistant Program Director, Resources For Industry, Walton, NY shared these thoughts about Paul: “When I first met him he shared that he dreamed of some day having a job repairing engines. The Small Engine class that has been occurring was developed specifically with Paul in mind … to help him work toward his dream. He started out attending the class, and then had the opportunity to share his knowledge and assist with teaching the class. Now he is proud to share that he is a paid employee. The opportunity to learn and work in an area of such great interest has helped Paul grow in all aspects of his life.”

Paul said, “I am thrilled to have achieved my dream today.”

In Fond Remembrance of Dr. Gerald Burday

Dr. Gerald Burday was known as a dedicated friend, teacher, mentor and colleague at the Arc of Delaware County. Fondly known as Dr. B., he was an inspiration and visionary leader.


After his recent passing in July, 2011, we wanted an opportunity to share our memories and the wisdom he imparted to us, so we created a Facebook page to give everyone a place to express their thoughts. To view this page and contribute if you wish click the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Arc-of-Delaware-County/40007623278#!/pages/Dr-Gerald-Burday-Memorial/192914560765853

Celebrating Awareness and Respect for People With Disabilities- Middle School Students Receive Awards

Students from three local school districts won scholarships for their classes to spend a day at The Arc of Delaware County (Delarc). Students entered a contest by creating posters, poems, essays and other projects to demonstrate respect and including people with disabilities in their schools and communities. The contest was cosponsored by The Arc of Delaware County and Beta Omicron, a chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization of women educators.

During the visits, students were paired with mentors who receive services from Delarc. Students and their mentors spent the first half of the day side by side working, learning and sharing. Students learned what it’s like to read, write and even make pizza with a disability.

The second half of the day was spent learning about respect and empathy through YouTube videos, presentations and an interactive “pop quiz.” Throughout the day students learned skills including how to handle bullying, how to stick to a budget, and how to interact with people who have disabilities in a positive and meaningful way.

Students also watched the latest video released by Delarc, titled “Making the Shift to Community Connections,” which can be found at www.YouTube.com/arcdelaware.

The Grand Prize winner was Mrs. Liddle’s 6th grade class from South Kortright (pictured above). The students created a series of posters reflecting empathy and respect for people with disabilities. Second place county-wide went to Ali Eichler from Franklin for her essay about respect and Noah Dougherty from Andes won third place for making pasta figurines with a poem and music.

To learn more about The Arc of Delaware County, or to schedule a visit for your own life-changing experience, visit http://www.delarc.org/ or call Delarc’s Community Relations Department at (607) 865-7126.

Photo Exhibit: April 25th - April 29th

"Picture Your Passion", a wonderful photo show exhibiting the work of five talented Delaware County residents, Billie Jean Savory and Rebecca Todd (both of Deposit), Matt Wilson (Delhi), Sam Conklin (Walton) and Thomas Ferrante (Margaretville), is opening on Monday April 25th at the NBT Bank branch in Hancock (11 Main Street). The show is the 3rd this year for these five artists, following very successful exhibits at The Roxbury Arts Group Old Bank Gallery in Roxbury and the Catskill Watershed Corporation executive offices in Margaretville. The show in Hancock will last from Mon. 4/25 through Friday, 4/29, during normal bank hours. Your invited! Join us on Monday the 25th, there is a opening reception at the branch for the community from 5:00p to 6:30pm with refreshments being served. Our gratitude to the hosts for the exhibit and the reception: NBT Bank and the Hancock Chamber of Commerce....with a special thank you to Robin Evanitsky, a caring community and Delarc Board member that was so key in making this exhibit happen.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is the annual celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Focusing on this month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the contributions that people with disabilities make as neighbors, friends, coworkers, and members of our community. People with disabilities are valuable, contributing members of our community who have much to offer and a desire to participate. Much progress has been made in our society’s treatment of people with developmental disabilities, parents are no longer pressured to send their children away to institutions, more doors than ever before are open to individuals with disabilities. With organizations like The Arc of Delaware County, people are living fulfilling lives and have proven to be reliable workers, excellent volunteers, and capable of meeting or exceeding expectations or standards. Though the acceptance and treatment of people with disabilities has come a long way, we still have a long way to go – for instance, as many as 60% of individuals with disabilities – 7 million nationwide – remain unemployed. Community members can help by becoming a Member of The Arc of Delaware County, which you have or will be receiving information in the mail about. Other ways to help include hiring someone with disabilities, inviting them to participate in civic organizations or community activities, donating time or money to The Arc of Delaware to support our mission, or even just teaching children that all people have something to contribute.

Delarc Staff Recognized

Delarc congratulates Terri Beers & Arlene Goedel, who recently received visits from Blesher Lil' Heart, Delarc's staff recognition mascot.

Terri's nomination form read:
"Terri took the time to help me complete a job responsibility. During the staff retreat, she was willing to re-certify my CPR Certificate when it was 'free time' for staff. This allowed both of us to keep our schedules without needing to rely on others to cover."

Arlene's nomination form read:
"Arlene always puts the people we support first. Whether it's covering, staying with folks when they are not feeling well, or having muffins and coffee with them on their birthday, Arlene always has the people we support first on her mind and in her heart."

The nomination forms went on to describe how each displayed Delarc's Unifying Principles. Congratulations again to Terri and Arlene!

Parent Support Group Now Forming

Beverly Tuthill, lovingly known as ‘Miss Honeybee’ by the countless number of children and families she has supported in her role as Director of The Arc of Delaware County's Carousel Children's Services Program, will be supporting a new parent support group for families of children (birth through adult) with autism spectrum disorders or developmental or intellectual disabilities.

Parents are invited to the Delaware County Resource Center at 34570 State Highway 10 in Walton, NY, on Thursday, January 20th from 6:30 – 8 PM for a first meeting to help set the schedule and agenda for future meetings. Join other parents in an open, compassionate setting. Ask questions and learn from others. Voice concerns and share resources. Give advice, support and encouragement.

In creating this group, Beverly explained, “We want to provide the support families are looking for, so when we heard from parents and other providers that there was an interest in such a group, we immediately started putting plans in place to make it happen.”

“We hope to see families from across Delaware County come together to support and learn from one another, and really make this group their own,” she concluded.

For more information about the parent support group meeting, to receive a flyer with information, to reserve space for child care, or to be notified of future meetings, contact call Sharon at (607) 865-6783 or e-mail parent_s@ymail.com.