Reflecting Sweden’s Strengths, Integrity, Character, and Community Pride! Rhonda Humby Town Board
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Randy Hoke Town Board
Kevin Johnson Supervisor
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Brian Ingraham
Highway Superintendent
Kathleen Bahr-Seever Receiver of Taxes
Paid for by the Sweden Republican Committee
October 27, 2019
Issue No. 43
www.westsidenewsny.com
DISTRIBUTED TO CLARKSON, HAMLIN AND KENDALL
Churchville Clerk/Treasurer retiring in November
Byron-Bergen Volleyball players show off the potatoes they cleaned and prepared at the annual “potato scrub.”
Byron-Bergen Volleyball teams get their hands dirty to help feed the community One Saturday morning each September, the ByronBergen Girls Varsity and JV Volleyball teams meet in the Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church parking lot at 9 a.m. There, they join other members of the community to wash, scrub, dry, sort, pack and load approximately 2,000 pounds of potatoes. While many teams engage in community service fundraising, or awareness-raising, the “potato scrub” requires the team to get their hands dirty - literally. The annual community service project began three years ago when Hannah Catalino, a then sophomore, approached her volleyball coach with an idea for an unusual community service project.
Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach Cindy D’Errico takes part in the annual “potato scrub.”
“There are a lot of ways athletic teams can be charitable and this one is not glamourous,” said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “Every year these players tackle this project with good will and good humor and no fanfare. I am extremely proud of them.” The potato gleaning, as it is officially called, is orchestrated by Stewart Freeman. Freeman has worked with area farmers for the last decade to collect extra and post-harvest crops including potatoes, butternut squash, onions, and cabbage. He stores the produce and makes deliveries to shelters, food pantries, and local families. “What we’re doing is helping people who can’t afford to buy food get the chance to eat,” said senior Varsity Volleyball player Cynthia Morse. “That makes me feel happy.” The “scrub,” which the volleyball players take part in, is crucial to this process because as the soil is scrubbed from the potatoes, spoiled spuds are identified and sorted out. If bad potatoes are packed with good ones, they will contaminate the entire box making the food inedible. “We all participate, both Varsity and JV players,” said Catalino. “It’s a team bonding activity. We work together and get to know each other better while helping the community.” Eventually, Freeman will deliver the potatoes that the volleyball players helped prepare to local soup kitchens and food pantries including the Open Door Mission in Rochester, the Batavia Salvation Army, and local organizations that deliver food to veterans and community members in need. Provided information and photos
Meghan Lodge will be retiring on November 15, after 20 years of dedicated service to the Village of Churchville. She currently serves as Clerk/Treasurer. Lodge began her career at the Village of Churchville in September of 1999, when she was appointed as the Electric Bookkeeper/Deputy Treasurer and then advanced her career in November 2010 when she was appointed as the Clerk/Treasurer. The Clerk/Treasurer is a crucial position at the Village of Churchville with duties including the role as the Village’s Chief Financial Officer, Records Management Officer, Receiver of Village Taxes, supervisor of office staff, Clerk to the Board of Trustees, and many more. Lodge has been recognized as a Credentialed Municipal Finance Officer by the New York State Society of Municipal Finance Officers and has received the New York Conference of Mayors Distinguished Finance Officer award. Lodge is also actively involved in the Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe County Association of Village Clerks, the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), and the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State. Lodge currently resides in Pittsford with her husband, John, and their West Highland Terrier, Tobey. Meghan and John will continue to run their family business in Parma (family owned and operated since 1977). They have two children, Alexandra and Donald. Lodge’s hard work, dedication, and knowledge of the Village of Churchville will be missed. There will be an Open House Reception in Lodge’s honor on Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Village Office, 23 East Buffalo Street, Churchville. Presentations will be made at 4:30 p.m. Those unable to attend are welcome to stop in the office before November 15 to wish her well. Provided information
Happy Halloween