Focusing on its motto, “summer is for everyone,” Patrick Barry, a Rotarian from the Patchogue Club, was welcomed on Monday, Feb. 12, to report on Camp Pa Qua Tuck, a specialized sleep-away camp for children with physical and developmental disabilities. Founded by the Rotary Club of the Moriches, the camp has been in operation for 70 years, serving as a respite for parents of children with special needs. Pa Qua Tuck offers all the activities of any sleep-away camp, including a recreation center, in-ground swimming pool, row boats, campfires, movie nights, arts and crafts, adaptive sports and games, plus more.
Campers range from 6 to 21 years in age (plus alumni 21+) with most physical and developmental challenges. In its early days, most campers suffered from polio and other physical disabilities. Today, approximately 65 percent of campers have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Camp staff work with parents to discuss each child’s special needs and create personalized care plans.
Pa Qua Tuck has also created a year-round respite program for parents with sessions offered on select weekends from September through May. Barry told of the funds needed to maintain the camp’s operations, an ongoing effort shared by Moriches Rotary. Pa Qua Tuck’s Senior Patron, Steve Fuoco, told of the camp’s fundraising golf outing which has raised more than $2 million dollars over time in support of the camp.
Perennial Restaurant Owner To Speak
Coming up on Feb. 26, Peter Mistretta, owner of the new Perennial Restaurant at 990 Franklin Ave., will report on the restaurant’s farm-to-table cuisine. A commitment to the growing seasons and to the dedicated people who grow and harvest food, Mistretta says Perennial will offer food and drinks served by passionate people with a focus on high-quality and locally-grown ingredients.
Perennial is now open for dinner. Attending club members and guests on Feb. 26 will receive menus as a preview to Perennial’s farm-to-table cuisine.
Rotary holds luncheon meetings on the second and fourth Mondays throughout the year at the Garden City Hotel, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. To learn about Rotary or to attend the Feb. 26 luncheon meeting (at $25 per person), call President Alba Spinelli at 516-307-8870.
