For your convenience, we have installed the link below to make donations to this website easier. Now you can utilize your PayPal account or your credit card.

--------------

---------

June events

Friday & Saturday, June 6th -7th – Family Retreat to Penn-York Camp in Ulysses, PA (Register at the Teen Center – Sign Up Early, Space is Limited)
Saturday, June 14th – Cardboard Boat Regatta – Waterfront Festival in Watkins Glen
Saturday, June 21st – Community Block Party at Clute Park (Basketball and Skate Competition, Battle of the Bands, etc.)

Chamber Mixer at the Schuyler Teen Center!

The Schuyler Teen Center hosted the May Chamber Mixer on Wednesday, May 21st. It was a spectacular evening with fantastic teens serving delicious delicacies. The menu, created by Chef George Whiting, Mary Ann Combs and Mike Gehl, included: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Lemon Dipping Sauce, Beef on Weck, Cheese & Fruit Display, Homemade Pesto, Hummus, and Spinach Artichoke Dips with Baked Pita Bread, Baklava, Petit Fours, White Grape and Pomegranate Spritzers, and of course the famous “Franks on Franklin” Mango-Pineapple and Strawberry Fruit Smoothies and Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshakes. A good time was had by all who attended – whether talking with fellow business leaders, enjoying the delicious food, or playing one of the many Teen Center games including Wii, Dance Dance Revolution, and Guitar Hero. Thank You Chamber and community members who participated in this event – we appreciate your continued support of the Teen Center and the youth of this community!

Andrea Mattoon, Chef George Whiting, and Mary Ann Combs help prepare appetizers for the evening.

Chamber members are delighted at the array of fine delicacies.

Everything looked beautiful at the teen center including this cheese & fruit display with flowers.

Left: Schuyler County Legislative Chairman, Tom Gifford & Chamber President Rick Stelzer challenge each other to a game of Guitar Hero under the guidance of teen Steven Combs. Right: Teen Sarah Rockwell challenges Famous Brands owner Jim Guild on Dance Dance Revolution.

Hunt Engineer’s Jim Kuehl and Steven Combs have fun with Guitar Hero.

**************************************************************

Trip to Buffalo

By Kim Meierjurgen

The Schuyler Teen Center Peer Leaders recently traveled to Buffalo. Accompanied by Mary Ann and Don, the peer leaders traveled to see an abstinence rally, a local teen center, Daemen College, and Niagara Falls. We all had a very busy and draining day, but the trip to Buffalo was so much fun. Everyone learned a lot and we got to see how other teen centers work.

We arrived at Daemen College first and took a tour of the campus. After lunch we took a short drive to Martin Luther King Middle School to see an abstinence rally they were hosting. We got to see a special speaker who did a great job. Then we went to see a local teen center. Although the center did not have a lot of kids inside, the teen center was obviously a very large part of the lives of the local teens. Finally, we went to see Niagara Falls and took a lot of pictures for our collection.

After a very long day, we grabbed dinner on the road and headed home. It was definitely a day well spent. We learned so much.

Teens in Front of Daemen College: WGHS graduate & current Daemen student Tim Rentschler with Ellie Fausold, Sarah Rockwell, Samantha Franzese, Heather Butler, Kim Meierjurgen, Hannah Baker, Elyse Carlton, Judah Baker

************************************************************************

Cultural Night at the Teen Center

The Schuyler Teen Center recently hosted another of our many cultural nights. Our guest Chef/Presenter was Maty Faye from Senegal, Africa. Maty is a foreign exchange student attending Odessa-Montour High School. The menu for the night was “Chicken Yessa,” a somewhat spicy dish served over hot white rice, served alongside a delicious salad “Cote Cap Verte.” After the meal, Maty gave a presentation on her country and some of the things she enjoys about our country. We had a delightful evening, and the Schuyler Teen Center hopes to have Maty back soon to cook for us again….

Bibi Imankulova, Amy Moore, DeAnne Combs and Maty Faye help prepare “Chicken Yessa” for Cultural Night at the Teen Center

*********

What's Been Happening at the Teen Center?

Dinner with Chef William!

Recently the Teen Center had the opportunity to have Chef William come and cook for us! He made a traditional Irish dinner with some added spices. The Center was packed with teens and their parents staring at the delicious meal, waiting to eat. You could smell the wonderful food all over the Center. Most of the food Chef William had already prepared; however, he shared his recipes and techniques with everyone. When all the food was prepared, everyone lined up to get their bowlful.

We had delicious carrots that almost tasted sweet. "They taste like candy," Chef William told us before we dug in. We also had ham with spices and soda bread with a butter sauce on top, all piled on top of each other in our bowls; it was amazing. Half way through our meal, Chef William burst into song. He sang "Danny Boy" for us while we ate. Finally we had an amazing cake with chocolate frosting. The Chef also brought with him his family, who all shared stories with us and let everyone ask questions. It was a great learning experience and we all hope Chef William comes to join us again! -- Kim Meierjurgen

Chef William dishes up some delicious food for Teens at the Teen Center

*************************************************

What is Abstinence? Abstinence is a personal choice to refrain from all sexual activity until marriage, regardless of the past.

Why is Abstinence Important? It is the only 100% effective way to avoid an unwanted pregnancy or STD.

**************************

Visit to Tompkins Cortland Community College!

The Schuyler Teen Center sponsored a trip to Tompkins Cortland Community College in March.

The college trip to Tompkins Cortland Community College was very interesting and full of information. There were a lot of pros and cons of the college. A pro of the trip was that they offer Russian and German as a language, and they are adding two new dorm buildings in the Fall of 2009. The dining hall was a favorite of many teens on the trip. The pizza was awesome! A con is that they do not offer football as a sport and tuition is expensive. Overall all the teens who attended the trip had a good time. -- Brent Miller

If you would like to visit a college, contact the Teen Center and make a suggestion! This month's pick is Daemen College near Buffalo.

Teens and Staff posing in front of the TCCC Sign (Dwayne Followell, Sandy Rice, Charlie Linehan, Mark Dillman, Seth Somers, Heather Butler, Kayla Barrett, Brent Miller, Chris Carlton, Joe Daughmer, Throsby Wells.

*****************

Parents: YOU can be the number one influence on whether your children engage in risky behaviors. Talk to them about abstaining from sex, drugs, alcohol & violence!

*****************************************

What Are People Saying About the Teen Center?

“… I personally look forward to walking to the Teen Center after school because I know I will never be judged, bullied, or left out. High school problems end at the door to the Teen Center." -- Youth

"The Teen Center is a place where I feel comfortable being myself and never be pressured to be otherwise" -- Youth

"It takes a village and the Teen Center is an important part of this village" -- Grandmother.

"My students have benefited through the close mentor-type relationships with caring adults that they find at the Schuyler Teen Center. These students develop a more positive sense of self, they gain new life skills and establish healthy interactions with their peers." -- Teacher

*******************************************

Coming Soon ...

Summer Fun Program
Summer Registration for this year’s “Summer Fun” Program will be the first Week in June.
This summer’s activities will include Camping Trips, Father & Son Retreat, Mother & Daughter Retreat, College Visits, and Day Trips to area State Parks for Swimming and Hiking. More information will be posted in late May.

Also: Be on the lookout for the return of the "Franks on Franklin" Hot Dog Cart (below).

************