Around Geneseo

Monday Evening Class welcomes new officers

Pam Hatton carries on the leadership tradition of founder Mary Kay Culbertson as the latest president of the Monday Meeting Class for 2012-13.

Meeting at the Goodwill Community Meeting Room, Catherine Robin reported these additional officers: Suzanne Dunn, vice-president; Myrt Merritt, recording secretary; Myra Herlihy, corresponding secretary; Sue Mills, treasurer; and Chris Klossner, archivist. Members looked forward to the June Founder’s banquet. Tom Cook, Nunda Historian, gave a presentation on Letchworth Park: Past, Present and Future.

Around town

“Around Geneseo” receives e-mailed homilies from the Genesee Abbey Home Page, thanks to Father Jerome. Readers are renewed by Father Jerome’s messages.

Others take pride and interest in the historic mission of “the Valley of Our Lady’s Smile Abbey.” The May 11 e-mail reported that Father John celebrated his 75th birthday and the end of his abbatial service in the Abbey household. Father John gave 11 years of compassionate leadership.

He will be missed and blessed.

Rotary Cog Grindings

Reverend Eric Thompson was inducted as the club’s latest member by President Howard Stewart, sponsor Chris Rider and D.W. Parish. Eric served as a military chaplain of the Middle East.

The program’s theme was the process of hydrofracking with Dr. Jeff Over. Darcy Dewar Lynch reported record sales at the three day hanging basket event. The public was thanked for supporting this event. Visitors included Jim Culbertson, Phil “Hop” Manipol and Eric Thompson, later a member.

Sally Gallivan not only won the raffle but took home the entire jackpot. There was to be no meeting on May 21 as members journeyed to the Caledonia Country Club for a Quad Cities banquet and golf outing. As Art Hatton was the only Geneseo golfer, he was appointed team captain by President Stewart.

These SUNY Geneseo Rotaract members “Roadrunners” participated in the Relay for life-Samantha Madafferi, Stephan Landry, Devin Grau, Olga Varechtchouk and Audrey Stevens.

Other news

If we didn’t have Brodie as our house puppy, it would be a temptation to adopt Bambi, the cat. She is a beautiful gray lady who is six years old, petite but one who takes time to become aquatinted. (“Hearthside Cats Mews and Views”)

A researcher whose interest is the contribution of Livingston County women in times of war would appreciate speaking with anyone remembering homefront women’s effort’s for the American Red Cross, especially World War II. Contact can be made by e-mailing <geneseohistorydude@hotmail.com>.

It was a busy week for Motor Corps, finding Peggy Linton, Joyce Wechsler, Diane Harke and Paul Schmied driving patients to medial appointment.

The Rochester baseball team may have an irregular pitcher’s mound but Gerry Youtze reported the Geneseo United Methodist Church still will enjoy a 10th year of July 4th baseball at Frontier Field. The GUMC choir will sing the National Anthem.

Thanks to a book review given me by Sid Symington, I first learned of Geneseo’s and the Ferdinand Ward pyramid scandal story in “A Disposition to be Rich” by Geoffrey C. Ward.

The author is a direct descendant of Ferdinand (Ferdie) whose story already should be familiar to readers. (Livingston News) “Before Bernard Madoff, before Charles Ponzie, there was Ferdinand Jr. a pioneer American scammer.” It was kind of the author to send a short message in response to a congratulation note. Several of us were privileged to escort Geoffrey and Mrs. Ward to the location of the former White Presbyterian Church and the former Ward home on Second Street during their visit. Lowell Conrad welcomed them to the second floor of his business where Rev. Ward held services for a time. The book is available locally.

Sally and Richard Gallivan recently returned from a trip to Baltimore.

The Livingston County Environmental Management Committee visited the Livonia Recycling Center in lieu of its May meeting with several Geneseoans attending.

Happy birthday

Anne Bishop, William Dempsey, Daniel Miskell, May 24. Sherry Rulifson, June 18. Elizabeth Wilson, 28, Russ Harvey, 30.

A personal comment

After traveling through many small western New York villages on Memorial Day, Geneseo’s Main Street flags particularly stand out. Their size and spacing make Main Street a patriotic pathway of memory.

One more tribute for Gertrude Houston who died on June 1. Gertrude brought much enjoyment to those who shared in her documentary on the Alaskan crab fishermen-well done.

My friend Betty Stoltman also passed away on June 1. Betty was a public spirited and loving person who was a great help at the County Museum, very knowing in local history. “Now David, did you know….?” Thanks Betty.

Nine Years Ago in Geneseo

Ian L. Wilson, son of Holly and Burt Wilson Foster, daughter of Judy and Tom Foster, was named salutatorian.