Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom Trip

On Saturday, July 26^th the South East Consortium visited Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, PA. on a day trip.  We spent the day riding rides such as: Steel Force, Scrambler, Sea Dragon, Road Rally and ate lunch at Subway in the park.  Then we hung out in the Wildwater River,  Wave Pool and road the Speed Slides at the water park.  South East had a blast! Check out the fun pictures!!!

City Of Water Day Festival

For our first trip of the summer South East Consortium took a group to City of Water Day on Governors Island. It was a beautiful day outside and the site from the island looking back on Manhattan was truly breathtaking! 

We took a couple forms of transportation to get where we were going (Metro North, shuttle, subway, ferry) and every step along the way was an adventure. On the train into Grand Central Terminal we got to spend some time with one of the coolest conductors we ever met! He told us stories, made us laugh and spend some quality time with our participants.

Once we got onto the island we checked out the sites and eventually found a great spot on the island to have lunch. After lunch some of us went out and got to explore the island while others relaxed on the lawn to enjoy the live music and all the site and sounds of the festival.

The process of getting home was even more of an adventure then getting to the island. Our subway was canceled and we had to regroup and walk a couple blocks to catch another subway. We all took it in stride and made the best of the situation, when your commuting in NYC you have to learn to go with the flow!

End of the Year BBQ 2014

Last Friday, June 20th we said goodbye to Spring and hello to Summer with our annual "End of the Year BBQ".  We celebrated the end of the season with our South East friends at the Veterans Memorial Park in Harrison. 

We had great food and fun activities! With all the BBQ fixing such as hot-dogs, hamburgers and potato salad, no one went home hungry. Out on the field we have a game of kick ball going along with volley ball, badminton and a bean bag toss. Some of the participants even made up some games of their own, it was a fun evening!

Spring Clay Workshop

On Saturday June 21st South East held their first clay workshop at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY. Our instructor Jean helped us create planting pots, bowls, plates and small decorative dishes. We learned how to make coils to create these projects as well as just adding small clay pieces to create a different look. We also used stamps and other clay tools to decorate all of our clay projects. Later we used different color glazes to paint our artwork.

We will be receiving our finished clay pieces in about two weeks after they are fired in the kiln. Since this clay workshop as a success we will be looking to do more workshops in the Fall Season.  

Spring Fishing Trip

There were big adventures on the high seas last Saturday as South East Consortium embarked on an afternoon fishing trip. The excursion began as one of the Island Current Fleet’s finest vessels pulled anchor off of City Island in the Bronx.

The air was heavy with the sweet mixture of sunscreen and sweat, a staple scent of the summer months as our first mate, Anthony, set up our reels. The open aired boat chugged along out of the harbor passing other anglers eager to get out to the water.

The target of the day was fluke; a flattened, bottom dwelling fish that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. The finned fiend proved elusive to our cleverly placed bait. The only fluke caught was by seasoned seafarer Johnny Reichelt. Unfortunately said fish failed to reach the 18 inch minimum length. Salvation! The fish was freed, avoiding a one way ticket to an evening dinner plate.

Sea robins on the other hand were practically jumping into our boat. The sea robin is a swift and heavily armored fish that is equipped with sharp, protruding stickers lathered in bacteria. Our first mate quickly took over to remove these ferocious fish from our jagged hooks. Not the deadliest catch but still a formidable foe from the murky depths.

Although the crew of anglers didn’t pull in a tremendous catch this time around the sky was blue, the air was warm and the waters clear, combined with good friends there is not much better in life. As we were shaking off our sea legs and easing back into our roles as landlubbers once again, the relaxed looks on everybody’s face could only mean one thing: been fishing.  

Your Invited To: Dancing Through The Decades

Join the South East Play Production and Dance Company members in "Dancing through the Decades" Friday June 13th at 7:00pm. The show will take place that the Heathcote school, 26 Palmer Ave, Scarsdale NY. See you there!

Second Annual SEC v. NEC Basketball Game

It was non-stop action from the tip off when the South East Consortium Hawks squared off against North East Consortium Basketball last Tuesday night in the second annual SEC v. NEC basketball game.

With the bitter taste of defeat still fresh on their taste buds from last season’s disappointing defeat, on their home turf no less, the Hawks came swooping in, talons out and ready to play. The long awaited re-match was met with ultimate victory for the Hawks (30-24.)

The Hawks quickly took the lead under power forward Alexander Pflaum. Alex, known as the Savage Dancer by his team mates for his delicate footwork and precise jump shot coupled with his intensity up and down the court, sank 8 points in the first three minutes of the game.

North East realized that this was not the same team they played one year ago, re-grouped, and caught up with 6 unanswered points before the end of the first quarter. 

The Hawks went right back at it full force in the second quarter. The unavoidable excitement from the crowd off the court and rough and tumble action on the court electrified the air infecting our Hawks. Typically composed players were rushing shots resulting in turn overs and making some daring passes that did not always work out in their favor.

The second quarter saviors were Chris Horan and Andrew Brooks. Horan (now known as “the Surgeon”) hit three jump shots in a row with surgical precision. Brooks, all 6’4” of him, camped out right underneath the hoop on defense stealing every rebound that came his way.

At half the Hawks had some time to cool down, collect themselves and refocus their energy. Victory was in sight. The importance of the evening and what it meant was now understood but like professionals they didn’t let it get in their heads. Their eyes told the story “There’s a job to do and my team mates are relying on me.”

The Hawks regained the lead after the third quarter and never looked back. Smashing their way through the North East defense to the board for multiple lay ups and increased aggressiveness on defense kept NEC at bay.

North East Consortium battled valiantly through the entire game making it very exciting to watch. Both teams a spectacular job by displaying every skill indicative of a great basketball team. Plus something that cannot be taught but acquired through maturity and respect; sportsmanship. Something everyone should be proud of.

The game was made complete with the scoreboard lit, half time music and even the Bronxville Broncos Mascot joining the action, dancing and rooting on the home team. The night could not have been possible without the amazing dedication and creativity of the Bronxville Youth Council spearheaded by Kenny, Thomas and Jack.

The Hawks closed out the season with a big win making them undefeated for the 2014 season. But like any great team you are only good as your last win. The Hawks are already looking towards next year as re-peat undefeated title under their belts. GO HAWKS!