Board member Sara Diehl, owner UPS Store, presenting a poster to board president Michael Durham.

At the Shipman Center’s annual Thanks for Giving Dinner, where they honor people who have contributed through cash, in-kind donations, and volunteerism, the board was especially grateful for the $30,203.27 raised through the Center’s Dmitry’s Feast of the Peaks and Music Festival, aka Dmitry Day, held at the Lake Placid Horse Show grounds on Saturday, August 31.

The amount of money generated was significant on many levels; it was the most ever raised, it was raised in one day, not three, the weather was off and on rain, and, sadly, Dmitry wasn’t there to cheer people on and celebrate the success. The shortened schedule was critical in many respects, as out-of-pocket expenses were significantly less. The other is that many people and organizations worked extra hard and were determined to keep Dmitry’s legacy alive, his passion for the Shipman Center, and his passion for supporting the youth it served.

“The purpose of the Thanks for Giving Dinner is an opportunity to give back to the many sponsors and volunteers out in the community who have been so gracious to us,” said director Jason Leon. “It’s been going on for fifteen-plus years. The community’s support is huge, especially the volunteer effort we receive for our major events, which helped build this center. Without the in-kind donations, cash contributions, and volunteerism, we couldn’t offer all the activities and services we provide.”

Along those lines, the meal was a collaborative community effort. The Thanks for Giving Dinner, provided by Generations, Cambria Catering, Redneck Bistro, and the Olympic Training Center, featured smoked or baked turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, roasted vegetables and a tossed salad. Michael Durham created the stuffing, Katie Stephenson provided the homemade cranberry sauce, Hannaford the rolls, and Wildwood on the Lake contributed a choice of apple or pumpkin pie. In addition, the UPS Store donated posters for everyone to take home that featured images of past BBQ posters.

Taking a different volunteer food-related approach, Dr. Roger Neill taps trees and helps produce maple syrup, which the Shipman Center and its youth participants sell to raise funds.

From left are Sergeant Patrick Kane and Officer Michael Saulpaugh.

“Increasingly, we start in February, not just March, as the season seems to keep starting a bit earlier,” said Roger Neill. “But it’s a nice setup with its vacuum system. It’s an important fundraiser, and we’re happy to do our part.”

The other great news is that the Shipman Center is vibrant, serving a little over 40 youth on school days, and its numbers are growing; the number of high school students is increasing. Leon said they now have a 50-50 ratio between Middle schoolers and High School students. The Center offers homework help, which many need, activities like volleyball, floor hockey, sports in the parking lot, and just a place to unwind.

Leon, who is also a substitute teacher, likes being able to help them in school as well as the Center, which has helped him foster a trusted relationship with the youth.

“It’s nice when a lot of them feel that I’m a confidant where they can open up, be it having problems at home, at school, when they feel a need for a supporting adult to talk with and confide in. They know that I’m here for them.”

What would have warmed Thomas Shipman’s heart was that two Lake Placid police officers attended, especially as Shipman served with the police department, and both officers attended the Center when they were young.

“I think the Shipman Center is important,” said Sergeant Patrick Kane. “Mike (Patrolman Michael Saulpaugh) and I grew up in Lake Placid. We know that it provides a place for kids to go after school. Whether or not they participate in sports, they can come here and hang out with their friends. The founder, Thomas Shipman, who was a member of the Lake Placid Police Department, wanted to create a safe place for kids. When I was in school, I used to come down here.”

“When I was younger, I participated in the Shipman Center,” said Patrolman Saulpaugh. “I spent a lot of time here playing music with Jim Cushman. He used to have a Monday Night Jam session, where I learned how to play the guitar. The Shipman Center helps create community; if you don’t have a strong sense of community, many issues arise; the Shipman Center helps quell that.”

“The Shipman Center provides a priceless critical service,” said board member Bachana Tsiklauri. “The Center helps kids with their development through various activities that will have a lifelong impact; it’s amazing. Jason is fabulous with the kids. I started with the Shipman Center as a volunteer in the summertime back when I was in college. The board knew how close I was with Dmitry and called me after he passed, and I agreed to join and become a member. It felt right as the Center is great for the kids, the community, and the region. The kids who participate are the new generation. They represent the future of our area, so I think it is critically important to do all we can to help them at this time in their life.”

Board president Michael Durham’s three children attend Lake Placid Central School. He has served on the board for twelve years, including this past year as president following Feld’s death.

“When Dmitry passed away, we needed to let the community know the Shipman Center was not going to stop; the mission would keep going, and I wanted to make sure everyone knew that, so that’s why I agreed to step in as president,” said Durham. “The first thing we had to decide was whether we would have a BBQ festival. We didn’t have the connections to do the BBQ, which had been in decline. But we wanted to keep the core elements and honor Dmitry, and within seven or eight weeks, we put together the Dmitry Feast, which was a huge success. Next year’s date is August 30. We’ve got the music set, fire walkers, an idea of what to do instead of the tasting, and expanded activities. It’s going to be great.”