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Falconer Kiwanis Club Leads Bike Safety Rodeo

FALCONER — The Kiwanis Club of Falconer, along with the Ellicott Police Department, Falconer Central School district and Hollyloft Ski and Bike, recently held their biennial Bike Safety Education Rodeo at Falconer High School.

The event was open to Falconer district students in universal pre-kindergarten through sixth grades. The purpose of the event was to promote bike safety for students and to provide a family event for them and their families.

In addition to the safety obstacle course where students practiced bike control and performance of hand signals, there were several “safety stations” including bike inspections coordinated by Hollyloft, a helmet check conducted by Hollyloft and Ellicott police officers where helmets were replaced as needed, and a skit demonstrating proper attire, behavior and hand signals.

Volunteer students from BOCES Criminal Justice, Civil Air Patrol and Boy Scouts helped man the stations along with Falconer Kiwanis members. Upon completion of all of these stations, the students received a certificate of completion, a reflective safety light, some coupons, a pencil, and became eligible for the chance to win one of two bikes and four Hollyloft gift certificates. The participants and their families also had complimentary popcorn, orange drink, water, hot dogs and GoGurt.

Face painting was provided by Falconer Central School Art Club and Honor Society students. A coloring contest using bike safety pictures was also held, with prizes awarded at each grade level.

The Falconer Fire Department rescue squad was present to assist. “Sparky the fire dog” also was circulating throughout the event compliments of the Kennedy Fire Department.

In conjunction with this event, assemblies on bike safety were presented by Jim Jaroszynski, school resource officer at Falconer Central School, and Michele Turk, Kiwanis Bike Rodeo chairperson. Assemblies were held at both Harvey C. Fenner and Paul B. Temple schools the week of the event. Bike safety coloring books were also handed out to the students so that students would receive safety education whether they could actually attend the event.

Sponsors include Allied Alarm, Ames Insurance Agency, Burger King, Dependable Towing & Recovery, Falconer Printing, Jamestown Vietnam Veterans, Phil & Cindy’s,, Greater Chautauqua FCU, Honest John’s, Stuart Tool and; Die, Town of Ellicott Police Benevolent Association, Falconer Moose, American Legion, Gingerbread Dog House, Landpro, Southern Tier Family Dentistry, Stroehmann, Hollyloft, Tim Hortons and Truck Lite.

The program also received grants from the Falconer Region Community Fund and the Donald R. Swanson Memorial Funds through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

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