Winners of Warwick's 16th Annual Duck Derby collect grand prize

WARWICK - Fortunately for Vince and Kathryn De Fabrizio of Vernon, N.J., they do most of their shopping in the Village of Warwick. Thanks to that practice, they won this year’s grand prize of $1,000 for the 16th Annual Duck Derby held May 21. The fund-raising event is sponsored by Winslow Therapeutic Center and proceeds are divided equally between Winslow and 30 other not-for-profit organizations. On the Wednesday just prior to the event, Kathryn De Fabrizio and her mother, Johanna Garrison, who was visiting from Georgetown, S.C., were shopping in Warwick. When they stopped by at Peck’s Wines and Spirits, at 1 Bank St., De Fabrizio decided to purchase what turned out to be the winning $5 Duck Derby ticket. Store owners Bill and Debbie Iurato have volunteered to sell Duck Derby tickets since the first year the race was held. “We’ve had some winners in previous years,” said Bill Iurato, “but I think this is the first time we sold the first place ticket.” Traditionally Winslow provides the Grand Prize of $1,000 cash and local businesses donate merchandise or services for nine other prizes. This year’s second-place prize - two Broadway tickets valued at $400 donated by WTBQ Radio - was won by Brittany Coene of Warwick. The duck adopted by Alex Skafidas of Warwick came in third and that prize was a home window treatment, valued at $300, provided by Custom Creations of Greenwood Lake. On Wednesday, May 31, Vince and Kathryn De Fabrizio traveled the short distance from Vernon to Winslow Therapeutic Center on Route 17A to collect their prize. “I’m so glad that we love to shop in Warwick,” said Kathryn De Fabrizio. “Peck’s brought us good luck.”