Contributed Photo David Schiff, son of Sheriff Mike Schiff caught this 16-inch brown trout in the trout pool and will have it mounted compliments of Rod’s Taxidermy.

Another great day
at the Youth Expo

Column by Jack and Kay Danchak
GRAHAMSVILLE – September 27, 2013 — On Saturday, September 14, the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County hosted its 17th Annual Youth Outdoor Expo at the Grahamsville Fairgrounds. More than 226 youth and supervising adults participated in a day of hands-on activities.
Youngsters played plinko, lawn rockets, turtle shoot, clown sock toss and a washer toss. They shot the red dot laser gun, struck a tune with turkey calls, built bird nesting houses and made pine cone bird feeders. The duck pool and Beanie Baby fishing pool was a big hit for the little ones.
The trout pool was again one of the highlights of the day with 150 trout ready for tasty worms and anxious children. The 16-inch brown trout was caught by David Schiff and will have it mounted by Rod’s Taxidermy. The trout came from the Beaverkill Trout Hatchery who also donated 5 Palamino (Golden) trout.
Stonewall Farms had farm animals for petting and some coon hound puppies to be loved and cuddled. John Kelder brought his Bashakill Labradors and performed a retriever demonstration. The BB gun and archery (Sullivan County Archers) range was right on target. Sy Lloyd brought his “Have Bones Will Travel” display along with the Dermestid Beetles. The SC Trappers showed traps and pelts and explained the benefits of trapping. Brian Bunce brought a Gry Falcon “Sapphire” and a Eurasian Eagle Owl “Moosabie” for pictures. Erroll Northrite had a parrot that talked to the children.
Child ID by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, face painting, tattoos, honey sticks, knife sharpening by Grahamsville R&G, snakes by Jerry, National Park Service (NPS), quality deer management, horseback rides provided by Janice Diehl, Marlyn Peters and Kerintin Burr and fly fishing from the Upper Delaware Trout Unlimited were other events for the day.
A big surprise was the rock climbing wall provided by Party Master. This was an unadvertised event and was a delight for the youngsters. The Grahamsville First Aid squad did a basic first aid and ambulance walk-through. Sullivan County Sheriff Deputy Luis Alvarez gave the children the chance to sit in the D.A.R.E. car. Jack Danchak gave a basic fishing talk and Annette Diehl handed out Maple Syrup cotton candy.
The volunteers in the Grahamsville Fire Department building cooked hot dogs and handed out potato chips for the hungry Expo goers. In the Tri Valley Lions and Lioness booth, cold sodas, ice cream and hot coffee was on the menu as the day was a cool one.
When the day’s events were over, all the youngsters went home with a goody bag and an original TY Beanie Baby.
Special thanks is extended to Linda and Ed Loughrey, Kuttin Klub Beauty Salon, Hunter Lake, Steve Timco, Everyday Apparel, Kristt Co., Dennis Muthig, Harnett Designs, Fur, Fin & Feather Sport Shop, Cochecton Mills, Dan Millis, Diehl Farm, Stone wall Farm, Tom’s Bait & Tackle, Dick’s Auto Sales, Adele Daly, Bimbo Foods, Party Master, Monticello Fire Company, Rod’s Taxidermy, Pat, Trish and Tracy Voges, Herb DeWitt, Gillette Creamery, Carl and Rachael Lindsley for all their donations. We extend a truly heartfelt thanks for all the people who volunteered for a great day.
We want to also thank the sponsors for this event, the Fish & Wildlife Coalition for Youth of the Hudson Valley-Catskills, Jeff Bank and the Sullivan County Democrat.

YOUTH DAY WINNERS
Prize drawings
Turkey Call: Richard Vandermark.
Red Dot Lazer Gun Shoot: Addyson Danchak, Nicole Reeves, Isabella Shaw, Joshua Bunch, Ryan Estrada and Noah Jucha all received a soft air pistol.
Plinko: Timmy Bunch (Red Ryder BB Gun Kit); Nicholas Selbo (Fish Pole and Tackle Box); Jayelyn Hannold (2 toy guns and camo cap); Corey Dunn (Mystery Duffle Bag – Corey Dunn.
BB Gun Shoot: Amy Sherwood, Nathan Bowers, Richard Smith and Thomas Michalics. Each received a Red Ryder BB Gun Kit.

Lawn games
Turtle Shoot: Lezlie Burr, Dillan Hanslmaier, Richard Smith and Alexis Reeves.
Clown Sock Toss: Hailey Gough, Sarah Palmer, Jacob Weiner, and Nathan Bunch.
Lawn Rockets: Wyatt McNeill, Zachary Kataychik, Joseph McNeill and Kyle Rakowicz.
Washer Toss: Ryan Estrada, Zac Wipple, Sierra Shaw and Chris Kaiser.
All the lawn game winners mentioned received a toy gun, a paddleball, a squishy ball and a winner medal.

jack danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County