On Sunday May 19th, our resident volunteers planted and mulched this year’s crop of flowers and ornamental grasses in the Blackberry Road median and the Blueberry Road welcome sign planter [view photos]. Our helpers this year were Joyce & Joe McMullen, Mylrae Campbell, Mark Lynch, Stacey, Leigh Ann & Emily Schloop, Kevin Dudash, Kim Bailey, Nina Dukette, Lynn Gratton, Chris Cox and Bob & Joanne Stella. Special thanks to Green Acres Lawn & Garden Center for their contribution of mulch and the Town of Clay for use of the safety barricades.

We now need volunteers to assist with watering and weeding. Joe McMullen (jojomcmullen@gmail.com / 622-1031) will be coordinating this effort. Please contact Joe ASAP to offer your help with this.

On March 9th Central New York, the Town of Clay and the Bayberry Community lost a dear friend and neighbor. Clarence “Rye” Rycraft lived in Bayberry since the early 1960’s; he was very influential with the matters of the Town of Clay and instrumental in many things which shape our area today.  Even with a very busy schedule, he seldom turned anyone away who had questions or comments about Bayberry or the Town of Clay and certainly not lost for words!

Serving as a volunteer on many levels with the BCA, he was also on the Town’s Planning and Town Board for a combined 25 years, retiring in 2011.  He was always well informed, prepared and passionate about issues he believed in and putting aside any personal agenda, he put the Town, community and neighbors first.

Rye will be missed by those many whose lives he touched.  I was his neighbor for nearly 30 years, every night he and his good friend John walked their dogs on the Oriole/Quail loop, it will take a while getting used to not seeing the two lights on the dog collars meandering through the streets of Bayberry.

THANK YOU RYE.

The April 7^th Board of Directors’ meeting will include discussion on a form of dedication for Mr. Rycraft, we hope you will attend. If you cannot attend the meeting, submit any ideas via http://www.bayberrycommunity.org or bcaexecboard@yahoo.com.

Mike Banks 1^st VP