Chappaqua, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/10/2020 -- This October, 14-year-old Henry McEvoy published his first educational comic, How to Predator Proof a Chicken & Duck Coop.  The "Ducky Comics" release features strategies to protect from hawks, dogs, and raccoons.  The comic is available on Henry's website, DuckyComicsNY.com.  Says Henry, "Predator proofing is important because predators can be persistent.  Raccoons and hawks may take residence near your coop, and try to kill your birds!"  Henry, a 4-H member since 2018, created "Ducky Comics" this summer and has released multiple comics to support 4-H programs.  In September, Henry announced over $800 raised for NYS 4-H, by promoting his comics online and around New York State.  "Ducky Comics" received recognition from several 4-H programs, including Putnam County in Brewster, New York, Clinton County in Plattsburgh, New York, Swain County in Bryson City, North Carolina, and Indian River County in Vero Beach, Florida.

Created using ink, paper, and the graphic design app Pixelmator, Henry's comic encourages readers to add specific materials to their backyard coop, and suggests strategies for each predator.  Henry was inspired by his experience with predators: "I have been through many losses myself, so to help prevent the loss of chickens for others I made this comic."  The cartoonist has been building his own coop over the past two years, developing a focus on hosting more animals.  Henry says , "I have watched racoons and other predators in action, and know how smart they are."  He has used his knowledge of hawks, dogs, and racoons to both protect his coop, and to organize these predator proofing concepts into easy-to-follow steps.

Says Henry, "I want readers to enjoy reading the comics, while also preventing losses of chickens and ducks.  By using this comic as a guide, readers can predator-proof their own coop!"  Henry plans to continue the How to Predator Proof a Chicken & Duck Coop series, by releasing future issues featuring strategies for coyotes, foxes, and bears.  Henry, a Westchester County native, has been learning from the book "What's Killing My Chickens?" by Gail Damerow.  For more information regarding Henry's "Ducky Comics," a partner of The Comic Tree, email duckycomics2020@gmail.com or visit DuckyComicsNY.com.

About the Comic Tree
The Comic Tree is proud to partner with "Ducky Comics" in efforts to support New York State 4-H Foundation, Inc. The mission of the Foundation is to support youth development in New York by raising and dispersing funds to support scholarships, educational trips, and other innovative programs that support 4-H's mission mandates of STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement.

Contact:
The Comic Tree
(203) 570-6870
phil@thecomictree.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Chappaqua, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/15/2020 -- Henry McEvoy, 13-year-old cartoonist and creator of Ducky Comics, celebrated his first 4-H fundraiser by promoting his comic strip at duck ponds, farmer's markets, local businesses, and online. Henry aimed to increase awareness for his comic brand founded in Chappaqua, NY, and the county fair organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension, while also raising funds for New York State's 4-H Foundation. Posters of Ducky Comics' first issue Unexpected Events at the Putnam County Fair were seen around Putnam County, Westchester County, and Ulster County during the month of August and early September, featuring a QR code linked to a GoFundMe campaign. When Henry's 1-month fundraiser ended on Wednesday, September 9th, his efforts proved successful, with $812 raised for 4-H.

Henry created the comic after realizing that this year's fair would be canceled due to Coronavirus. He received support from multiple 4-H organizations, including Clinton County in northern New York. Said CCE Clinton County Project Coordinator Logan Williams, "In times of adversity, creativity flourishes. Henry's grand idea, to create a comic detailing the Putnam County Fair, was able to shine light and bring the joy of the fair to a wider audience." Dena Altavilla, 4-H Youth & Family Development Program Director for Putnam County, stated, "Henry's comic centered around the Putnam County fair made people feel better, and it lightened our mood. He created something positive in this challenging time that we are all facing, and his comic brought the 4-H Fair family and community a bit of joy this year!"

Ducky Comics released a follow-up comic to Unexpected Events, according to Henry: "To thank everyone who donated, I made another comic with a larger Duck Force, a Raccoon bunker, a Rooster reporting for News 12, and everything you could want!" Ducky Comics made a commitment to donate all proceeds to NYS 4-H, as Henry explains, "4-H introduced me to people like me, who share a passion for chickens and ducks. My next comic will teach how to build a duck coop." A member of 4-H: Hooves, Beaks, and Bills, in Croton, NY, Henry expressed his gratitude on September 8th by stating, "Thank you to my 4-H audience, who I dedicated the comic to, and who actually noticed it. Thanks to Putnam County Sheriff Robert L. Langley, and the 21 donors, especially Greg Levine who gave a very kind donation." For more regarding Ducky Comics or Henry's fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/4h-campaign-by-henry-of-ducky-comics.

About the Comic Tree
The Comic Tree is proud to partner with Ducky Comics and GoFundMe in this effort to support New York State 4-H Foundation, Inc. The mission of the Foundation is to support youth development in New York by raising and dispersing funds to support scholarships, educational trips, and other innovative programs that support 4-H's mission mandates of STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement.

Contact:
The Comic Tree
(203) 570-6870
phil@thecomictree.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Henry McEvoy of Chappaqua, NY uses drawings to safely celebrate community event.

Chappaqua, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/14/2020 -- Cartoonist Henry McEvoy's debut issue of "Ducky Comics" is set in Carmel, New York's Putnam County Fair, an event that was canceled this summer due to the Coronavirus. 13-year-old Henry aims to increase awareness for the fair organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension while raising funds for New York State's 4-H Foundation. The first comic strip, created in Chappaqua, NY, features a father and son duck visiting the fair and entering a flying contest. Said Henry, "In this alternate universe a lot can happen, like an out-of-control raccoon with a jetpack, a swat team of ducks, and more!" Henry created the comic after realizing that this year's fair would be canceled. Henry stated, "Last year I brought my pet ducks and chickens, and so I wanted to support the fair this year even though we couldn't be there." Supporters can download the comic and make a donation at www.gofundme.com/f/4h-campaign-by-henry-of-ducky-comics, where proceeds will support 4-H and fund scholarships for educational programs around New York state.

Henry's comic features typical fair sightings, such as musical performances, animal exhibits, and prize-winning vegetables. Said Henry, "I wanted to make it seem like the real fair while inserting my own characters." His series will follow 4-H events in a world populated by ducks, chickens, and raccoons. While drawing "Unexpected Events at the Putnam County Fair," Henry referenced family photos, fairground images, and the Putnam County Sheriff's website, in order to draw a patrol car. Sheriff Robert L. Langley Jr. stated, "The Putnam County Sheriff's Department supports our Youth, and commend 13-year-old Henry McEvoy who is using the art of drawing as a safe way to celebrate community events during this Pandemic. We especially like Henry's drawing of the Deputy Patrol car, and wish Henry luck with his 4-H fundraiser."

Henry's "Ducky Comics" first started releasing stories to the public this summer, and has made a commitment to donate all proceeds to 4-H. "At my GoFundMe site, you can read my comic and help 4-H," said Henry. "People can donate to the charity that has taught me all about chickens and ducks, and how to take care of them." Henry, who is entering 8th grade at Whitby School in Greenwich, CT, is a member of 4H: Hooves, Beaks, and Bills in Croton, NY. To read Henry's comic and support his fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/4h-campaign-by-henry-of-ducky-comics or email duckycomics2020@gmail.com.

About the Comic Tree
The Comic Tree is proud to partner with Ducky Comics and GoFundMe in this effort to support New York State 4-H Foundation, Inc. The mission of the Foundation is to support youth development in New York by raising and dispersing funds to support scholarships, educational trips, and other innovative programs that support 4-H's mission mandates of STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement.

Contact:
The Comic Tree
(203) 570-6870
phil@thecomictree.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Greenwich, CT -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/23/2019 -- The Family First in Education after school program toured the "Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art" and participated in animation workshops at the Bruce Museum on Saturday, April 6. Family First's Visit to Cartooning at the Bruce was presented to over 30 participants and co-sponsored by The Bruce Museum, Family First in Education, The Comic Tree, and The National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Connecticut. To commemorate the event Brian Walker, a former director of the Museum of Cartoon Art and guest curator of the exhibit, spoke about the importance of showcasing comic artwork. Walker stated, "Cartoons are communication. If you draw a cartoon, show it to your family, have it published in a newspaper or make it into a greeting card. The most important thing is to share it. That's what cartooning is all about." After Walker's opening remarks, Diana Rafferty of The Bruce toured each group through an exhibit of more than 100 original works that celebrate the history of comics and animation.

The Family First students also participated in two cartooning workshops by The Comic Tree: one in English, and another with Spanish translation by Paula Picco. Cartoonist and educator Phil Lohmeyer led The Comic Tree workshops covering facial expressions and cutout animation. The visit, said Lohmeyer, is "a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us to view so many comic masterpieces. It's amazing to be able to study these originals, learn from them, then create cartoons here at The Bruce." Both Lohmeyer and Walker hail from Greenwich, an area known for this unique art form. "There were always a lot of cartoonists around Fairfield County," says Walker. "Probably over 100 cartoonists lived around here." The 30 young cartoonists visiting on April 6th created dozens of lime and lemon-based characters during The Comic Tree Workshop. Says Lohmeyer, "Fruits are easy to animate because they don't have arms or legs. Students can learn an expression, sketch a few moods on the lemon shapes, then swap them while taking photos. It's fun to watch expressions change as an animation!" Students were able to take home their creations in tote bags provided by NCS Connecticut, along with crayons, cartooning books, and t-shirts.

Family First's Visit to Cartooning at the Bruce was made possible by several event volunteers, including cartoonists Neal Walker and Brian Walker of Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois, Carolina Ahumada, Michele Czarnecki, and Paula Picco of Family First in Education, Rick Stromoski of NCS Connecticut, Phil Lohmeyer of The Comic Tree, and Diana Rafferty, Scott Smith, Kathleen Holko and Corinne Flax of The Bruce Museum. Flax, Manager of School and Community Partnerships at the Bruce, said, "Many thanks to everyone who came together to make such a special day happen- it truly takes a village! I hope that this will be the beginning of many visits to come and other collaborations between Family First and the Bruce Museum." Made possible by a grant from the Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation, Family First in Education is a collaborative between Family Centers and the YMCA of Greenwich. Focusing on structured after-school programming and parent involvement, the program aims to address the key contributors of the achievement gap. For more information regarding how you can support Family First's mission to provide art education, email art instructor and event coordinator Phil Lohmeyer at phil@thecomictree.com.

For more information visit http://www.thecomictree.com.

About The Comic Tree
The Comic Tree Workshop covers basic drawing and storytelling concepts and explores various approaches to comic art. Original workshop curriculum was developed by cartoonist Phil Lohmeyer, a professional comic strip instructor since 2003. The Comic Tree can help individual students, small groups, or teams of up to 15 people accomplish their drawing and storytelling goals. Creator Phil Lohmeyer is an educator from Greenwich, CT who has sold comic art to collectors, schools, sports teams, non-profit organizations, other authors, and international comic strip syndicates.

Inset:

Photo 1 - Students, parents, and teachers from Family First in Education visit the "Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art" exhibit at Bruce Museum, with supplies provided by National Cartoonists Society Connecticut Chapter and workshops by The Comic Tree.

Photo 2- Cartooning instructor Phil Lohmeyer leads The Comic Tree Workshop at the Bruce Museum on April 6th, in which students learned the basics of facial expressions and cutout animations. The workshop followed a tour of the "Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art" exhibit, led by Diana Rafferty.

Photo 3- (From left) Cartoonists and Greenwich natives Phil Lohmeyer, Brian Walker, and Neal Walker, in front of a Beetle Bailey comic at Bruce Museum's "Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art" exhibit. The Walkers continue to produce new Beetle Bailey strips with their brother Greg, while Lohmeyer worked on the strip in the mid-2000s as an inker for Neal's pencil sketches.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm