Viewing by month: March 2011
March 28, 2011 Program
The program was presented by Jamey Mullen, Norwich Rotarian and Executive Director of the Norwich Family YMCA. He came to Norwich following graduation from college as the facility’s Athletic Coordinator. A few years later, while still in his 20s, he was elevated to the top job following the unexpected death of then-Director David Sherman in 1996. Since then, Mullen has guided the Norwich “Y” through a major fund-raising and building project, expanded organization’s reach beyond the borders of Chenango County, and is now preparing for a major 150th anniversary celebration next year.
The Norwich Family YMCA has occupied the same block on North Broad Street next to the United Methodist Church for as long as most residents can remember. Mullen now manages a $1.4 million annual budget, has over 100 employees, and opened the building to over 50 other area civic organizations rent-free last year. The structure houses three regulation basketball courts, a three-lane running track, a six-lane Olympic swimming pool, fitness center, and assorted meeting rooms. In addition, the YMCA runs After-School Programs in the Greene, Oxford, and Unadilla Valley Central schools … and it runs all the community swimming programs in the Greene and Unadilla Valley districts.
The Norwich Y has operated summer camps in the area since the 1940s, for two decades in the Town of Pharsalia and more recently at nearby Camp Thompson off County Road 16. Currently, the Norwich Family YMCA offers popular Day Camp programs for elementary students and teens while the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department uses the grounds for a sleep-over camp for underprivileged kids. Weekends are heavily booked by local residents and community groups for special private events, ranging from weddings to class reunions.
Mullen used the Rotary occasion to promote the Norwich YMCA’s Open Doors scholarship plan and the newly-created Unemployment Membership program, both designed to make available the Y's many programs to all residents regardless of financial status. Information about the Norwich Family YMCA and its offerings can be found at www.norwichymca.com.
March 7, 2011 Program
The program was presented by Gilbertsville resident Richard Hill. For years, Mr. Hill had helped cater the special group events at Unadilla Valley Sports Center. When the motorcycle riders and vendors wanted barbecue food, Hill was challenged to handle the barbecue portion of the menu. The result was the creation of Hawg Wash brand barbecue sauces. Mr. Hill worked with the business incubator experts at SUNY Morrisville to refine and manufacture the initial batches. The sauces are now available in mild, medium and hot. Even the packaging is local with artwork developed by another Central New York resident. Mr. Hill’s “niche market” is definitely the motorcycle crowd. He has traveled across the nation to cater major cycle events.