LIMESTONE, N.Y. — The rain held off, the food was great and the dancing was the best during Evergreen Elm’s annual picnic Wednesday at Mystic Water Resort in Limestone.
The event, attended by individuals with the agency and their families, as well as staff and board members, included a chicken barbecue, dessert and beverages, as well as music by “Happy Days” DJ Gabriel Ross.
Debbie Price, executive director of Evergreen Elm, a residential agency for people with intellectual disabilities, said the event is made possible each year from proceeds obtained through the agency’s annual volleyball tournament and from community donations. Thanks to the funding, food and beverages at the picnic are free to all who attend.
Jeff Carson, a board member and brother of Tracy Carson, a longtime resident of Evergreen Elm, said this is his first year to attend the event.
“I used to think that this was Tracy’s thing,” he explained. “She’s a social butterfly, but it’s nice to be a representative of the board. Actually, there’s good board representation here tonight.”
Bill Rounsville, owner of Mystic Water, said he donates the venue each year to Evergreen Elm for the picnic, and is happy to do so. He said the picnic has been held at Mystic Water for the past 18 years.
“I guess I do it because they’re great (people) and I enjoy having them,” Rounsville said. “And they love it.”
In other news from the agency, Price said construction work is progressing on the new group home on Elm Street, despite the ongoing rainy weather.
“I think the foundation is pretty much done, and they’ve been working right through the rain,” Price said of construction crews. “They started bringing in trusses today.”
Groundbreaking was held in May for a $1.5 million group home on Elm Street. The split-level structure will replace a home that was destroyed by an accidental fire in April of last year.
The 5,000-square-feet home, designed by Bradford architect Curt Wallace of C.J. Wallace Engineering LLC, is being constructed by Hennard Construction of Bradford.
When completed, the structure will be occupied by 15 individuals.
