PATRICIA BEAGLE
Staff Writer
Jill and David Peckinpaugh and their children cherish decades of Chautauqua summer memories. A lifelong Chautauquan, David grew up summering in Chautauqua and spending time at Boys’ and Girls’ Club. David’s grandfather, George McCray, came to Chautauqua from Titusville, Pennsylvania, and bought the family’s original cottage more than 100 years ago. The cottage at 19 Haven remains in the family today.
In the late 1980s, David introduced his wife, Jill, to Chautauqua. She enjoys the Chautauqua Women’s Club and the fairways of the Chautauqua Golf Club. Their daughter Samie and son Max, now in their 20s, still return for visits.
In 1977, David was a college student when he was hired to run the Chautauqua Sports Club. He ran the club for six summers. At the time, the club’s main activities were shuffleboard, horseshoes, lawn bowling and bridge. In 1977, David and John S. Rogers, an attorney from New York City, decided to organize a community run to enhance Chautauqua’s annual birthday celebration. It was an instant hit and became a tradition. The Old First Night Run/Walk is hosted by the Sports Club on the Saturday before Old First Night. Proceeds benefit the Chautauqua Fund.
The Peckinpaughs are longtime supporters of Chautauqua. Last year, they began offering a special treat for youth participants in the OFN Run/Walk.
“Our focus is on the next generation of Chautauqua,” said David, who is in his second term as a member of Chautauqua Institution’s Board of Trustees. He added, “How do we inspire sustainability for generations to come? All of us are pulling together to make sure things thrive.”
Deb Lyons, director of the Sports Club, explained that four OFN children’s events were added in recent years. These include the diaper crawl, toddler trot, 100-yard dash and one-mile children’s run. David said that Lyons had sought a sponsor last year to take over the donation of ice cream cones for the kids’ races. The Peckinpaughs agreed to be the 2025 ice cream donor and offered their sponsorship again this year.
“It’s great to see the kids enjoying the race and seeing how they can be involved in the future of Chautauqua,” Jill said.
Lyons explained that the ice cream giveaway is accomplished by providing coupons redeemable at Brick Walk Cafe.
“It is so awesome for kids to get an ice cream cone,” Lyons said. “The coupon eliminates allergy concerns and brings people into the Brick Walk Cafe. What could be better than an ice cream cone after a little summer run? I was delighted that David and Jill offered to sponsor that.”
What did last year’s young runners think of the sweet treat? Four 8-year-old boys who ran last year were eager to offer opinions.
Solly Calhoun-Zenchelsky recalled, “I thought it was kind of nice after the race because I think everybody was pretty tired and we deserved ice cream to cool us down.”
Finley Carr could not wait to cash in his coupon. “I was running a lot, and I felt I needed a cool treat,” he said. “I went straight there to get ice cream to cool me down.”
Theo Zellers was excited about the reward. He said, “After I ran, I was super tired and I really needed something to cool me down. I got the coupon, and I was like, ‘Yes!’”
Samuel Paille was thankful to the donors, saying, “They were really kind for giving us ice cream.” He added, “And I won first place in the 100-yard dash!”
Amit Taneja, interim chief advancement officer and senior director of community and belonging, reflected on the diverse ways that so many people support Chautauqua. “We are grateful to the Peckinpaughs and all donors who enable us to celebrate our community members in small and big ways,” he said. “What could be more joyous than seeing a child enjoying ice cream after a successful Old First Night race?”
