Rubber duck race returns to T-burg

Last year, the Trumansburg Rotary held its first rubber duck race fundraiser to benefit the Trumansburg Food Pantry. This year, the Rotary Club is holding the race again to benefit the Trumansburg Fire Company’s hydraulic equipment fund.

“It was nice to be able to get out after the COVID lockdown,” said long-term Rotary member Frank Zgola about last year’s event. “It was a lot of fun. It was a nice sunny day with just enough water in the creek to ensure success.”

Last year, over 1,000 little rubber ducks were numbered and entered Frontenac Creek at the Route 227 bridge on Hector Street near the farmers market, finishing at the bridge on East Main Street. The ducks floated a quarter mile, and the first three ducks that arrived won $250, $150 and $50 for their respective ticket holders. This year’s event will offer the same cash prizes.

“The tickets sold like proverbial hot cakes at $5 for one or five for $20,” Zgola said. “The community lined up to buy tickets at the table staffed by Rotarians at the Trumansburg ShurSave supermarket, and after expenses, about $3,000 was donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry.”

This year, the Trumansburg Rotary Club is hoping to duplicate the success of last year’s event to assist the fire department in funding desperately needed upgrades to its hydraulic equipment.

The Trumansburg Fire Company’s outdated equipment is most commonly referred to as the jaws of life, used in a number of difficult emergency situations, particularly car crashes, and most often used to pull drivers and passengers out of damaged vehicles after severe traffic collisions.

“The current hydraulic equipment has to be tethered to a pump on a truck, allowing for about 100 feet [of range],” Tim Dodge, member of the Trumansburg Fire Company, explained. “The new equipment looks the same but will have a battery pack. It makes it possible to take it wherever you can walk.”

Having recently used the current equipment in the extrication of an individual injured in an accident, Dodge estimates that they could have saved about half an hour’s time had they had the new tools.

“Ironically, we just faced a situation that illustrated how important upgraded tools are,” Dodge said. “Fortunately, the injuries were not more severe. Had we had the proper tools, we could have had the car cut up in no time.”

As for the duck race, spectators can view the start and finish from the previously mentioned bridges, and the Rotary Club hopes to again have live music at the finish line in the form of “Rubber Duckie” played on a ukulele with a sing-a-long.

“Last year, we had Bo Lipari play the ukulele, and it was wonderful to see everyone singing along,” Zgola said. “We would love to have him again and are hoping he comes back this year.”

The race this year will follow the same course on May 14, starting at 1 p.m.

“Last year, we had about 20 Rotarians, along with supervised kids, in the creek,” Zgola said. “They were escorting the ducks to make sure they weren’t getting stuck.”

One of the highlights of last year’s duck race was duck-shaped cookies given out to children at the event. Kathy Koken, owner of the Creekside Cafe on Main Street, baked the cookies to give out at the event. The celebrated duck cookies will be making a reappearance for the second annual duck race this year.

“The cookies were a huge hit,” Zgola said. “We are grateful to Kathy for her generosity. The event resonated with her, and she surprised us with these delightful cookies. We are also thankful that ShurSave is always so supportive of the community. How many places in this day and age would let you set up space right in the middle of their store to sell tickets?”

Tickets can be purchased from your favorite Trumansburg Rotarian or at the sales table staffed during most lunch and dinner times at ShurSave, located at 2085 Rt. 96 in Trumansburg.

“This year, I found these thumbnail size ducks that we give out to kids when we are at ShurSave,” Zgola said. “It’s a lot of fun, and the kids enjoy them.”

The giant inflatable duck will also make its return this May to mark this year’s festivities.

“The inflatable duck became a mascot of sorts for the event that people could see from all over,” Zgola said. “It’s great to see people coming out from the community with their families for this event. It’s for a wonderful cause, and it’s a great way for people to get out and enjoy their neighbors and some fresh air.”

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators show

Our Capacity for Wonder: Exploring the Natural World, an exhibit of artwork by members of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators — Finger Lakes Chapter, opens April 9 and runs through May 22 at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, 5 McLallen St. An opening celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 9 at the conservatory, with open gallery hours Fridays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. throughout the rest of the exhibit’s runtime.

In this exhibit, you will see the diverse interpretations of Finger Lakes artists and their mediums of expression and how their observations lead to new discoveries and a deeper appreciation for the natural environment. These observations require careful study and can be time intensive, but the rewards are incredibly satisfying.

Visit tinyurl.com/yc2ut7ty for more information.

Dark Hollow at the Conservatory

Also at the Trumansburg Conservatory, on April 15 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., come see a performance by the Syracuse-based band Dark Hollow. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at tinyurl.com/y77e3rwk.

Dark Hollow is now entering its 25th year paying tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead. Known for its dynamic performances, the band crafts songs from the extensive Dead family catalog to create unique concert experiences.

Members’ ability to move seamlessly between songs and musical styles enables them to tell a musical story that both honors the original song versions and allows them to create new interpretations. Don’t miss this show in the historic Conservatory auditorium!

The Canal Girls auditions

Encore Players Community Theatre announces auditions for “The Cayuga Canal Girls” by Laura King. Performance dates are June 2 through 5.

This drama/comedy focuses on five women who reunite in their historic hometown of Seneca Falls, New York, to mourn the death of a close friend. Lives and friendships, old bonds and obligations all come under scrutiny as they spend the day together. Organizers are looking for five middle-aged women, all types, for this alternately funny and moving script.

Auditions are April 7 and 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses, 69 E. Main St. in Trumansburg. Everyone auditioning must be fully vaccinated. Masks required. Please sign up for an audition slot at encoreplayers.org.