The Great New York State Fair

Summer/Fall 2014 Update
Inside this issue:
The Great New York State Fair
An Outing to the NY State Fair
It was a splendid Friday to enjoy the New York State Fair. The sights, sounds, and even smells were
abundant at the NYS Fairgrounds as thousands enjoyed the second day of the fair. Amongst the
thousands in attendance that day, was a group from Choices for Change. While at the fair, we enjoyed lunch fare from Dinosaurs BBQ. In addition to the pulled pork and beans, we sampled many
fried food oddities, many which have become staples at the State Fair. These odd fried treats included fried Oreos, fried peanut butter cups, fried Snickers, and fried dough. We all were big fans of
the fried treats, especially the fried Snickers.
The fair has more to offer than just food and we were able to take in much more. We were able to
listen to the sound check at Chevy Court, view the butter and sand sculptures, view the DEC and
NYS Park exhibits, and see many different agriculture animals on display.
Outdoor Activities
2
Cooking with Me
2
Carpenter’s Brook
3
Yard Games
3
Tim’s Pumpkin Patch
3
Update on Volunteering and Football
4
On the Go
4
Choices for Change
Is now
Providing
NHTD Waiver
JB enjoying the fried treats
Lyndsey, DR, JC, SG, SW, TP, and
JB posing with the sand sculpture
Services!!
We are accepting new
TBI/NHTD Waiver
Participants and Private
Pay Referrals!!
Please call:
Gregory Redmond
(SDP Administrator)
315-252-3095
Scott, Lyndsey, DR, and SG having lunch in
Chevy Court
JB, TP, SW, and JC relaxing in Chevy Court
Page 2
Warmer Weather
Outdoor Activities
After a bitterly cold and long winter, for many the warmer weather we have enjoyed this summer was a welcomed change. The
warmer temperatures afforded us many outdoor opportunities. When the weather is nice, we will often take advantage and go
outside to play catch, baseball, or tennis. There is a wonderful outdoor pavilion on our street, which we will frequently utilize.
We have also visited a local park, where some participants shot hoops on the basketball court. The warmer weather also meant
that the Auburn Farmer’s Market is in season. Many participants have enjoyed the short walk to the market, located in the parking lot across from Curley’s Restaurant.
Lyndsey, SW, CB, JB, and SG at the park
SW Fishing at Emerson Park
BC Fishing at Emerson Park
SW shooting hoops
From the Kitchen
Most Tuesdays you can find sweet smells and a lot of activity in Choices for Change’s Kitchen. That is because on Tuesday we
conduct our “Cooking with Me” activity. The activity is a product of our collective group decision on what we would like to cook
on Tuesday. Once the group’s meal or meal idea has been established, recipes are researched which then allows for the shopping
list to be finalized. We all enjoy participating and learning about the various steps needed to produce a yummy meal. Some of
our recent meals have been gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, zucchini bread, chocolate covered potato chips, Philly
cheesesteak stuffed peppers, shepherds pie, buffalo macaroni and cheese, chocolate coconut waffles, spaghetti with meatballs,
chili, and BBQ chicken drumsticks. All of our recent recipes have been tasty, but it must be noted that the Philly Cheesesteak
Stuffed Pepper was an out-of-this-world hit with everyone!
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers Recipe:
-8 large bell peppers
-Olive Oil
-1 lb. sliced mushrooms
-Salt and pepper for seasoning
-1 yellow onion, thinly sliced.
-24 slices of provolone cheese or any other cheese of your choice
-3 lbs. sliced deli roast beef cut into small pieces or Steak-umms
Directions: Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over
medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms and onions until tender. Then season with salt and pepper
to taste. Add in pieces of deli roast beef and stir to combine. If using steak-umms, instead, make
sure they are already cooked. While veggies are cooking prep the peppers by cutting top off the
pepper. Cut the pepper in half from top to bottom, to create halves that you can fill with the beef
mixture. Be sure to remove the seeds and membranes. Arrange the pepper halves on a large
rimmed baking sheet and cook in the over for 10 minutes. Then divide the meat mixture among
the halves, top each pepper with a slice of cheese. Return them to the oven and bake for another
10 minutes, or until the cheese is all bubbly and melted. Serve immediately and enjoy!
TP Sautéing the onions
Summer/Fall Update
Page 3
Arts and Activities
Carpenter’s Brook
This summer Choices for Change was able to participate in the “Time Out to Fish” program at Carpenter’s Brook. The program
offers individuals with special needs an opportunity to fish for Rainbow Trout. Our outing to Carpenter’s Brook was truly amazing. We had perfect weather. Everyone that fished, caught at least one fish, if not more. And afterwards we stayed for a picnic
lunch and toured the hatcheries. We are looking forward to returning there next summer.
Yard Games
This summer we added two different lawn games to our rotating list of activities at Choices for Change. We added ladderball
and corn hole. Many of our participants enjoy playing these two new games. In nicer weather we can take the games outside
and enjoy them there, but if the weather is unpleasant, they can also be played indoors. In addition to ladderball and corn
hole, we also enjoy playing favorites such as indoor volleyball (using a beach ball), and pool table bocce ball.
Pumpkins and More
To get in the autumn spirit, Choices for Change took an outing to Tim’s Pumpkin Patch, located just outside of Skaneateles.
While there, we enjoyed the sights, the friendly farm animals, and their pick your own pumpkin patch. We purchased several
pumpkins, which we plan on carving and decorating for Halloween.
Updates on Volunteering and NFL Pick ‘Em
E.T. Boyle Center
We offer our participants a chance to volunteer once a week at the E.T. Boyle Center in
Auburn. To date, the volunteering opportunity is going well. While we are at the Boyle
Center, we assist them in setting up for their lunch. Mainly we take great care and pride in
setting the tables properly.
NFL Pick ‘em
It’s football time! Football season is back and we at SDP are following the games of the
Bills, Cowboys, Giants, and 49ers with our “pick ‘em” picks. The “pick ‘em” league is a
great way for all participants, both enthusiasts and causal fans, to get involved in the sport.
The leaders so far: Lyndsey, BC, JB, and Scott H.
On the Go
Outings
Choices for Change affords our participants an individualized structured day program at our State Street site. In addition to our
in-house activities, we facilitate recreational outings to community and regional points of interest and dining. Some of the places
we have recently visited are New York State Fair, Spaghetti Warehouse, Auburn Public Theater, Sakura Buffet, Auburn Plaza (for
lunch and shopping), Carpenter’s Brook for fishing, Frontenac Park, Green Shutters, Emerson Park and NYS Fairgrounds for a Morgan Horse Show.