by Sherry Bowman-Kluck
The Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center was overflowing with the area’s aspiring basketball youth and their families on Tuesday night, March 6. It was the Awards Night and Pizza Party for the Taconic Valley Basketball Program. Approximately 90 young players were presented with trophies and pizza, not an easy task considering the PVMCC was packed with energetic and talkative families!
[private]Joe Burdick, head of the program, introduced and thanked the many volunteers who made it another successful year – Coach Jim Votra and helpers Danny Foy, Gene Kluck and Sarah Longacker for co-ed grades 1 and 2, Coach Dan Ritter and helper Louise Harrison for grades 3 and 4 boys, Coach Stanley Pettibone and helpers Todd Catlin and Amy Reger for grades 3 and 4 girls, Coach Joe Quirk and helper Austin Forbes for grades 5 and 6 boys and Coach Dean Maxon and helper Michelle Mills for grades 5 and 6 girls. Gifts were thoughtfully distributed by Kathy Burdick to these coaches to give to their players.
Head Joe Burdick earlier thanked the PVMCC for the use of its facility and presented the PVMCC Board a plaque with this year’s various teams. Papa’s Pizza also was thanked for the excellent and reasonably priced food.
Following the presentation of individual trophies to each player by their team coach, unlimited pizza and iced tea was provided in celebration of another great season. While eating, Dean Maxon recognized Joe Burdick for his hard work and dedication put forth every year to ensure this worthwhile program for our area. Maxon later said that many of the same families participate in Taconic Valley Soccer, and he attributed the great success of both programs to the steadfast parents in our community.
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