Derby ducks race for the cure
By KAREN BITNER Echo Pilot

Scouts launch ducks during the derby Sunday at the Greencastle Sportsman's.

Small but mighty, a determined flotilla of yellow plastic ducks raced toward a cure for cancer Sunday afternoon at the Sportsmen's Farm. Sponsored by the Franklin/Fulton Unit of the American Cancer Society, the 2007 Duck Derby is expected to raise nearly $10,000 for cancer research.

According to event co-chair Chris Ardinger, the event usually attracts 200 people, although 300 to 350 people were expected this year due to extra publicity and the event's proximity to Old Home Week. Ardinger noted that tickets cost $5, and on each ticket is a number used to tag a plastic duck. About 2000 ducks were entered in the race, he said.

People began gathering around noon Sunday for the event, which included a moon bounce and pony rides for kids sponsored by the Franklin County 4-H club. Also offered were door prizes, a 50-50 contest, and a lunch stand selling sandwiches, ice cream and sodas.

Ongoing commentary from irrepressible emcee Russ Clever kept the crowd excited as the race began about a quarter mile upstream on the Conococheague Creek from the finish line. Boy Scouts from Troop 99 dumped large barrels of tagged ducks into the creek. As soon as the ducks hit the water, crowds lining the stream cheered and the race was on.

Ardinger pointed out that event organizers would walk alongside the ducks to assist any duck that became entangled in brush along the stream. "The walkers pick it up and throw it back in line where it was," he explained.

Downsteam at the finish line, scouts and scoutmasters lined up along a funnel-shaped fence with a narrow opening serving as finish line for the race. Downstream a family and their dog stood guard as a second line of defense to catch any escaping ducks.

"Here come the duckies," a scout posted near the finish line shouted as the ducks came into view.

"They are on their way," intoned Clever. "Everybody root for your favorite duck-they're on a real fast track, which is remarkable. These ducks have short legs."

Amoment of high drama arose when a fallen tree upstream threatened to snag some of the faster ducks, but the lead duck successfully navigated the branches and sailed straight for the finish line as a scoutmaster called, "We've got one through!"

As the line of ducks approached the finish line, scouts and their leaders scooped them up, calling out the tag number. Ardinger later said the first duck completed the race in about 20 minutes.

Forty prizes were offered for winning ducks this year, Ardinger noted. The first two ducks to cross the finish line won $500 for the person holding the matching ticket. After that, winners received a variety of prizes and gift certificates until the first 39 ducks float to victory. A final prize was reserved for the very last place duck, whose owner will receive $250.

Ardinger said his interest in volunteering for the American Cancer Society began when his stepfather, Lon Bender, got him involved with the Greencastle Relay for Life. Working with the Duck Derby came later, he said. "For the first Duck Derby I worked with, I wore the duck costume," he laughed. "And it was hot that day!"

Ardinger said cancer touched his own life two years ago when his grandfather, Harold Phillips, died of pancreatic cancer. Ardinger's family sponsored a $250 cash prize awarded to the last duck to finish the race in memory of Phillips.

Money raised at the event is used to fund cancer research, and Ardinger said this year's goal was to raise a profit of $10,000. "The last few years we made a profit of about $8,000," he explained, adding that tickets have been on sale during Greencastle Sidewalk Sales, the Rescue Hose carnival, the Ox Roast, and at a variety of county businesses for several weeks.

Before announcing the prizewinning ducks, event Co-chair Lon Bender presented two ACS Youth leadership "Cure Seekers" prizes to Ardinger, who is 16, and to Karrington Gray, 17, who also assisted with the race.

Sponsors of winning ducks and their prizes were: first place, Heather Straley, $500 donated by Susquehanna Bank; second place: Roberta Davis, $500 from JerrDan Corporation; third place: Gus Barbazanes, "Avenue in the Garden" picture donated by Harmon's Furniture. The last-place duck, sponsored by Nancy Farnestock, won the $250 cash gift in memory of Hal Phillips.

Other winners and their prizes were: fourth place: Leroy Meyers, $100 gift certificate from Wilma's Photography, fifth place: McKayla Telemico , $100 gift certificate from Wilma's Photography; sixth place: Brad Wible, $100 cash donated by Valley Quarries; seventh place: Lowanda Bard, two beginners' ski packages donated by Whitetail Ski Resort.

Eighth-place winner Lisa Cline received a $75 gift certificate from Reliable Home Furnishings, and ninth-place winner Bev Martin took home a $50 savings bond from First National Bank of Greencastle.

Tenth prize, $50 in cash donated by American Legion Post 517, went to Payton Carodine; 11th prize: Larry Williams, $50 cash donated by Bell Insurance; 12th: Russ and Dody Clever, $50 gift certificate donated by Nick's Airport Inn; 13th: William Erickson, free car wash and wax from Blazin' Auto; 14th: Terry Herrick, $40 checking account from Orrstown Bank; 15th: Alexis Bailey, "Bread for a Year" from Panera Bread;

Dustin Starliper won 16th place, a $35 gift certificate from the Orchards Restaurant; 17th: Lorraine Hess, $35 cash from B & B Pet & Food Center; 18th: Dorothy Erickson, front-end alignment from Highland's Tire; 19th, Josh Riskel, four free large pizzas from Pizza Hut; 20th: Glenda Stenger, 50 wings from Ponderosa Steakhouse;

21st: Richard Foust, 50 free wings from Ponderosa Steak House; 22nd: Gloria Pine, $25 gift card from Sheetz; 23rd: Jan Mc- Clain, $25 gift certificate from Flannery's Tavern; 24th: Lisa Bsales, $25 gift certificate from Nevin's Furniture; 25th: Aubrey Hollinshead, dinner for two at Mountain Gate Restaurant;

26th: Dee Gover, meal for two Gold Card at Chambersburg Cracker Barrel; 27th: Glenda Scott, two steak buffets from Bonanza; 28th: Megan Witmer, $25 gift certificate from The Cottage Pub & Restaurant; 29th: Kristin Everetts, $25 gift certificate from Bob Evans Restaurant; 30th: Dan and Lucy Warner, $25 gift certificate from Bob Evans Restaurant;

31st: Julia Grove, $25 gift certificate from Sunnyway Diner; 32nd: Joan Rockwell, $25 gift certificate from Kline's Grocery; 33rd: Beulah Barnes, $25 gift certificate from Colony House Furniture; 34th: Brian Rowland, dinner for two at Foot of the Mountain Restaurant; 35th: Stanton Sollenberger, $20 gift certificate from Antrim House Restaurant;

36th: Paul Blaisse, $20 gift certificate from Casey's Restaurant & Lounge; 37th: Victoria Plooster, $20 gift certificate from Red Lobster; 38th: Tony and Sharon Martin, $20 gift certificate from Homestyle Family Restaurant; 39th: Dottie McEldowney, $20 gift certificate from E.L.M. Dept. Store; 40th (last duck prize) Nancy Farnestock, $250 cash in memory of Harold "Hal" Phillips.

Judging by the number of cars and people at the Sportsmen's Farm Sunday, the event was a success. Ardinger said he was pleased. "This is the biggest turnout we've had," he said.