Ducks Make Their Annual

Splash Into The Pootatuck

By Kendra Bobowick

A shower of small yellow ducks splashed into the Pootatuck River at 2 pm on May 28, drawing hopeful eyes toward a finish line downstream. Following a morning and early afternoon of fun, games, food, and a vendors’ fair at 5 Glen Road, the 11th Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race — a major fundraiser presented by Newtown Lions Club — later revealed its lucky winners among the several thousand numbered toy ducks riffling on rushing currents.

William Kraus stood on a fence rail at the intersection of Glen and Church Hill Roads as ducks swirled in a cluster, passing below demitasse cafe, and then bouncing over rocks and along a retaining wall. Above, hundreds of residents stared down over a split-rail fence, hoping their duck would be first across the finish line.

“It is great to see how the residents of Newtown come out to support the Lions Club with the Duck Race,” said Duck Race Chairman Bob Schmidt.

Minutes earlier as an announcement drew guests away from face painting, dance demonstrations, snacks, a bounce house, and other attractions, Lions Club members and other volunteers piled nearly 4,000 bright yellow rubber ducks into a backhoe that would soon tip them into the river.

Prior to the race when ducks would teeter and bob toward the finish, residents made the most of festivities that ran from 10 am until 2 pm. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Engineer Rob Sibley gathered his wife Barbara and sons Daniel, Stephen, and Brian to smile for a photo. Mr Sibley was one of about a half dozen members of the volunteer company who spent time at the event, and while most remained rooted on the ground, he and Firefighter Shannon Hicks at one point took a climb up the 75-foot ladder of the fire company’s truck to wave down to the crowd.

Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue (NUSAR) member Marty Folan had dressed Randy, the NUSAR mannequin (and sometime victim for drills) in a breathing mask, wet suit, and flippers, which prompted plenty of questions from those who visited the team’s site.

Sitting in the shade and captivated by Buster, a large dog, was Mikayla Maurer, who ran her hands through the pet’s thick fur. Behind her at the booth set up by The Children’s Adventure Center were Mae Schmidle and Lisa Bruno. Across the sidewalk and kneeling before an arts and crafts table was Kathy Holick with her grandson Damien Cunningham. Greeting passersby, including Betsy Anderson, were Home Instead Senior Care representatives Leigh Schultz and Jennifer Barrett. At a snack table were Serena and Jaden Newnham with their mother Heather.

Friends gathered across the lawn to watch the day’s karate and dance performances, including one by Lathrop School of Dance students. Georgia Filter and Lily Charles enjoyed eating frosty snow cones while watching the dancers. Opposite the stage and in the shade was Newtown Bridle Lands Association member Bob Fayerburg with a horse named Dakota, who dipped her head to graze as parents held their children out to pet the animal. Sisters Willow and Violet Assante-labash were two of many who reached through the pen to get a feel of Dakota’s coat.

Nearby was Barbara Frey with the Newtown Board of Realtors, drawing her own small crowd of visitors as she handed out balloons.

Not to be outshone by the ducks, Lily Capener got ready to watch the race dressed in her butterfly suit.

Minutes before 2 pm Lions members, including Kevin Corey who dropped in the last duck, stuffed Porco Construction’s backhoe bucket and headed for the river where the day’s excitement rose as crowds gathered on both sides of the river. With Mike Porco, Sr, behind the wheel, and Mr Corey and Peter McNulty standing on either side of the cab, the backhoe made its familiar run from the parking lot of 5 Glen Road, out to the roadway, and then turned the corner onto Church Hill Road to angle its bucket over the river. Bob Schmidt soon led the crowd in a countdown to the day’s big moment: the ceremonial dumping of the ducks.

New this year was an effort from the Newtown High School Leo Club. Advisor Suzanne Hurley ran a “Color a Duck Contest” where children from 5 to 14 could enter the free event. Three prizes were awarded, and each child won a one-month membership to the Porco Newtown Karate Academy.

This year saw a record number of 55 exhibitors. Mr Schmidt said, “We could not have such a great event if it were not for the generosity of Mike Porco. His land with the Pootatuck River, the stage and the beautiful landscape provide a perfect place for our event.”

And The Winners Are…

Of the 3,798 tickets sold for this year’s race, Laurie McCollum won the $2,000 first prize, Janice Marks won a second prize weekend getaway worth $700, and Patricia Picerno won the third place iPod touch. Mr Schmidt noted the 3,798 tickets sold, saying, “This is very close to what we sold last year. In today’s economy, I think that is excellent!” He said, “I estimate we will net about $15,000. All of the money goes to Lions Club Charities and the majority goes to help individuals and organizations right in our own area.”

Additional winners were as follows: Fitness 4,000 gift certificate, Brianna Brante; Treadwell Park Pass, Greg Smith; Sal e Pepe $100 gift certificate, Ashley Cote; The Newtown Bee one-year subscription, T.J. Evagash; Carminuccio’s $50 gift certificate, Curt Sines; Newtown Meat Market $50 gift certificate, Bonnie Ledoux; Gary’s Rib House $50 gift certificate, Lisa Wark; Pizza Palace $50 gift certificate, Rich Colonel; My Place Restaurant $50 gift certificate and Tambascio’s Restaurant $50 gift certificate, Chuck Paulsen; Mona Lisa Restaurant $50 gift certificate, Tina Henckel; Berkshire Motors $45 gift certificate, Nicholas Bruno; Newtown Car Care $39.95 gift certificate, Helen Krueger; Naser’s Salon of Beauty $35 gift certificate, Julia Frattaroli; demitasse café $25 gift certificate, Nancy Pace; Roberto’s Restaurant $25 gift certificate, Salon Michele; Blue Colony Diner $25 gift certificate, Janet Landgrebe; and $20 in Edmond Town Hall Theater movie passes, Isabella Vaccaro.