Just ducky, and then some

WARWICK — The raffle tickets read, "Rain or Shine," but fortunately, after a few days of rain towards the end of the previous week, it was mostly clear skies and mild temperatures for Winslow Therapeutic Center's 24th Annual Duck Derby.

Weekend visitors and newcomers could understandably be excused for wondering why hundreds of adults and children came out to crowd the bridges or run along the banks of Wawayanda Creek in the downtown area of the Village.

Besides the fact that the Farmers Market in the South Street Parking lot was in full swing, many of those visitors and other onlookers had "adopted" one or more of 4,000 rubber ducks in the race, each bearing the number that corresponds with the $5 ticket they purchased.

Winslow, a non-profit organization accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, shared half of the $20,000 proceeds from the popular event with approximately 20 non-profit organizations that help market the tickets.

Before the start of the Duck Derby organizers and volunteers waited by a spot on the South Street Bridge where at 1:30 p.m. they launched all the rubber ducks they had placed in a large tarp.

Volunteers then captured the winning ducks at a finish line net placed just beyond the Main Street Bridge.

The numbers on the first eight ducks to hit the net were then matched with the names and addresses of the lucky ticket holders, which were announced shortly after the race.

Most of the eight valuable prizes were merchandise or services donated by local businesses or individuals.

The first place prize of $1000, provided by Winslow Therapeutic Center, was won by Joan Noel of Greenwood Lake. Second place prizewinner, Thomas and Lisa Currao of Chester, won an HP Touchscreen Laptop courtesy of. Edward Jones Investments of Warwick and third place winner Nora Cascino of Cornwall on Hudson, won Zoom Teeth Whitening courtesy of Galloway Dental of Warwick.

Winslow is already gearing up for next year's Duck Derby and invites any organization leaders who would like to participate to call 986-6686.

- Roger Gavan