5-H Newsletter - October 2020

5-H News: Report From the State Office Andy Turner Dear 5-H Friends, Greetings from the New York State 4-H Office! The 4-H team at Cornell sends you warm wishes as we come to the end of a challenging year for our families and communities, our state and our nation. I am hopeful that you and your family have found a way through the challenges of the pandemic with as little disruption as possible with your health and peace of mind intact. It has certainly been a year like no other for the 4-H program but I am very pleased to share that Cornell Cooperative Extension, and 4-H in particular, has really risen to the challenge of staying engaged and relevant and finding creative ways to stay connected to our youth and families. Although we are all growing weary of our online existence, as the year comes to an end we are starting to see opportunities for small in-person gatherings and are looking ahead to a gradual return to programming face to face in the coming year. It remains to be seen when we will be able to return to large state and national level 4-H gatherings but as of now it would seem like late summer/fall of 2021 is the best case scenario.

On the positive side, we have learned a great deal from this situation and many pandemic inspired innovations will likely continue beyond the current crisis. In addition, it is becoming clear that there is a building appetite for hands-on, experiential learning that we can pounce on as the nation moves beyond the pandemic. Although we are facing budget challenges, in general 4-H is in a strong position in terms of staffing and funding when compared to other major youth programs. The opportunity for dynamic growth in the program is there for us as we look to the next several years.

On a personal note, this year marks seven years for me in the position of NYS 4-H Program Leader.

I am greatly appreciative of the opportunity to continue to work with an amazing team here at Cornell and around the State! Hope to see you or hear from you in 2021 and I wish you a safe, happy and refreshing holiday season!

Sincerely, Andy Turner NYS 4-H Program Leader

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER

Editor’s Ramblings Tom Dumas Much of this 5-H Newsletter as you can tell focuses on State Fair memories and trivia along with obituaries over the past two years or since our last 5-H Newsletter.

I apologize for being tardy in getting a newsletter together. I also thank our State 4-H Office especially Jenn Bassman and Andy Turner for formatting and emailing this newsletter out to everyone. I often receive notes from 5-H’ers wanting to know how to connect with someone, or about a health issue, or an obituary. Most greatly appreciate and thank me for keeping us connected. I could not do that without your support and so I thank all who have kept me connected.

Barb Schirmer has been awesome in encouraging us to gather, one way or another. Her idea of a “Zoom Gathering” with the State Fair as a focus was great. Thank you, Barb. Sharing memories about the State Fair, seems to have hit an interest and willingness to share. What might be another topic, event or program that we might get a similar response from? Send me your idea and I will float it out to all for sharing.

Sharing travel adventures might just encourage some of us to follow suit or at least enjoy some wonders of the world that we have not ventured out to see. Most of us volunteer in our communities for a special needed purpose. Why not share something about what you are doing? It just might get a few of us off our butts to do something similar in our community. Many of us have changed contact information, i.e. emails, phone numbers, addresses, etc. Please let me know if you have changed any of your information so that I can keep sharing with you.

I would greatly love pictures of 5-H’ers gathering together. A newsletter without pictures gets boring. Just email them to me. Staying connected is important in so many ways. Thanks again for allowing me to be a part of helping us do just that. However, I do need your help to do so.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER

News and Notes 4-H Golf Tournament The annual “4-H Open Golf Tournament” was postponed this year. Barb Schirmer was asked to serve as the Honorary Chairperson for the 2020 J. David Ferris Memorial 4-H Golf Open, scheduled for June 5th at the Country Club in Ithaca. Barb Schirmer as of April 15th had raised $1500 which puts 5-H’ers solidly at the Bronze Clover Donor Level. Thanks to all the 5-H’ers for their support.

Barb writes…”For the past 32 years, the proceeds of the Open have been directed to state 4-H program initiatives, grants for county 4-H programs and opportunity scholarships for youth. As past 4-H Educators, I know we all remember the many significant contributions that the 4-H Foundation dollars made in supporting county and state-wide programs that were important to us. Most near and dear to my heart during my years as State 4-H Program Leader, was the Opportunity Scholarship Program that recognized the outstanding work of 4-H youth who were heading off to pursue college careers. Many of us know former 4-H’ers who benefitted from those scholarships and from their 4-H experiences who have gone on to be successful, contributing members of our society. The legacy that you left as a 4-H Educator is alive and well in the hands of a new generation of young people, but that legacy needs your continued support to prosper and carry on. Consider becoming a Legacy Donor by designating a bequest to the 4-H Foundation in your will. There are several of us who have done that over the years.”

RV’ing with Kathy Sherwood…

My name is Kathy Sherwood and my husband Randy and I have lived full time in a 35 foot Winnebago Vista. I gave him 2 years of full time living in the RV, (he would live in it til he died), and we have now lived 2 years, 4 months, 15 days, 18 hours, 10 minutes, 23 seconds and counting. But kidding aside, it has been an amazing experience! We have traveled the country, have seen amazing sights and learned a ton. However, the question from many continues to be, “How are you doing?”, definitely with a sympathetic tone. You would think we were living in a lean-to in the woods with no running water, no bathroom, no electricity and no furniture. On the contrary, we have all the water we want, cold and hot, can you imagine! We also have a bath and a half with a shower, no bathtub, but let’s be real, how many people actually use their bathtub. The electricity is amazing, we either plug into an outlet, OR we can be in the middle of nowhere and turn on our generator and have all the electricity we want. On the subject of furniture, the couch is L-shaped and larger than the

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER one we had in our house. We pay no taxes, can pick up and go whenever the spirit moves us, and if we were to have bad neighbors, which we don’t, we could quickly leave them behind.

AND, and that’s a big AND, I can clean my RV lickety-split. In the summer, actually for 8 months a year, we live next to a beautiful babbling brook, on the farm we once owned but is now owned by one of our sons. Even though it’s beautiful here, if we wanted a different view we could just pack up and go. Have I made you jealous yet??? Try it, you might like it!

The Big Storm and Sewing Camp…

by Dawn Dennis Dawn Dennis here, a retired 4-H Educator from Yates County. It was so good to see everyone at the reunion earlier this month. Time seems to have wings that carry us away from each other, taking time itself with it.

I shared a couple of things at the reunion that I will expand on. First, the Labor Day storm of 1998 at the fair. That Sunday was hotter than hot and the air quality was poor at best.

I remember telling Kim from Monroe County that it couldn’t get much hotter without something terrible happening. That was around noon. Fairgoers numbered in 1 million plus.

I had planned to walk up toward the Dairy Building in search of some place to eat besides what is around the youth building. Seeing masses of people wherever I looked changed that plan. The day passed with the usual hustle and bustle of managing a group of teens and our booth, greeting the public and catching up with long-time friends and making new ones. Late evening came and the pace slackened a bit. I joined the group of educators on the front steps, waiting for the teens to return to the dorm before curfew. All of mine came back except one. She decided it would be okay to show up at 12:30 a.m. After reading her the riot act and telling her that she would be going home in the morning, I crawled into my less than comfortable bunk. About half hour later the sky was alight with non-stop lightning strikes, bleachers, etc flying like match sticks, the air full of sirens from every kind of vehicle imaginable. I had heard the fierce storm but had no idea of the extent of the damage. Interestingly, I had a 4-H leader and some of her club members who were sleeping in the section that overlooks the Indian Village. I actually had to shake her to wake her up.

She immediately put on some clothes and dashed out of the dorm. I called after her that the State Troopers might stop her at the door and she shouted back, “I am one of them so I’m out of here.” (Yes, she was one of them!). And she was able to tend her horses and help others take care of theirs. It was a short night, that’s for sure! And my 4-H’er with the wanderlust went home with the rest of us because no one was coming into the fairgrounds for any reason unless they were emergency personnel.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Another one of my favorite memories of being a 4-H Educator was the annual Yates County 4-H Sewing Camp. My good friend, Jennifer Jensen, and I worked together on the camp for a few years. (She later was hired as a 4-H educator in Ontario County, and is now retired.)

We were able to have 2 weeks of camp each summer, one week for beginners and one for advanced. We taught kids about the sewing machine, how to actually sew something by making all kinds of fun and functional stuff. The Big Mac (from I’ll Teach Myself: More Sewing Machine Fun, book 2 of A Dreamspinner Discovery Series) was a big hit. Every year we sewed a stuffed animal, everything from teddy bears, rabbits, penguins, horses, turkeys, frogs, lizards – the list goes on and on. Sewing a project for community service was also a part of camp. We made blankets for various animal shelters, cooling neck-gators for the military during the Gulf War, pillowcases for children with cancer and people with breast cancer. That list is also long. We had girls and boys attend. Teen leaders and key volunteers helped us keep our sanity and all those little fingers out of harm’s way. I continue with sewing camp although the number of campers is far less than then they were in the beginning.

Through all my 20 years as an educator, up to today, I can see that what a child learns in 4-H will serve them for the rest of their lives. It gives them a sense of belonging and knowledge that someone cares about them, a sense that we are here to help each other, a sense of achievement, and confidence to be able to always ‘make the best better’.

Exhibiting by Department vs County

by Bill Umschied Another specific positive memory relates to the dramatic change in how members projects were displayed at the fair. It has dawned on me that I may be the only one who actually knows how the move from exhibiting by departments to exhibiting all the exhibits from one county in their own self-designed space and exhibit. A very specific criticism by the Governors Agricultural Representative assigned to the 4-H Youth Development program started the process. As I was showing him around the youth building we stopped at the exhibit of ears of corn displayed on slat boards. He asked me: “what can be done to liven up a display like this? “The ears of corn all look the same and I bet few people take time to look at the small tags with the exhibitor’s name.” Oh my, this is the governor asking so we better try to answer his question. I had to admit that the most asked question I would get by visitors to the youth building was: “where are the exhibits for my county?”

The question of what could be done to change the way projects were exhibited was presented to the State Fair 4-H Advisory Committee. The first comments were: “Gee we have always done it like this,” or “we exhibit at the county level by department”, “I have been to fairs all over the country and both youth and adult exhibits are all grouped by department to make

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER it easier for the judges to do their work”. I honestly don’t know how the idea developed but it was a process of brainstorming creative thinking and a willingness to propose changes on the part of the committee members. Then someone suggested that judges could move around the building and maybe counties could show all their exhibits in one area. Eventually, all counties were surveyed to ask if they would be willing to design their own county exhibit and display all their members’ exhibits in one place. This was a revolutionary idea as exhibiting by department had probably existed since the fair started, I believe, in 1842.

Surprising everyone, there were enough counties willing to try the new idea to fill one of the three days exhibit periods. A plus besides all the county’s exhibits being in one place was that it provided the opportunity to showcase other county programs like bicycle programs, chick embryology, etc. Some counties had young people giving demonstrations during their exhibit time. The new exhibiting method was so successful that when counties were surveyed the next year, every remaining county wanted to participate.

The governor’s representative was so impressed that he convinced then Governor Mario Cuomo to visit the Youth Building’s 4-H displays. My personal highlight now is to tell people that I once escorted Chris and Andrew Cuomo’s father around to see the 4-H Exhibits at the New York State Fair.

RV’ing With Allyn Smith On the August 5-H Cocktail Hour Zoom several members mentioned they have and use RV’s (recreational vehicles). Here is my RV story. My wife, Joy and I both retired in 1999.

She worked for Sears for 21 years and I completed 14 years with the University of California as one of four CE Regional Directors (after 24 years with Cornell).

We wanted to tour the USA so just before retirement we bought a new 32’ Southwind motorhome and left two days after I retired to help me stay out of the office and the office not to rely on me for answers. We wanted to see and experience all 50 states, so we decided to visit every state capitol to get us into each state and explore that state. Our goal was to tour all 50 states in five years. We accomplished that with the motorhome in 48 states, then a cruise to Alaska and a plane trip to Hawaii. In some states we spent only a few days and in others, weeks. We operated with no set schedule to get anywhere. Before retiring we had invited our single son, Mark to come home pay us half the rent he was paying and help take care of our home while we traveled. He is still there.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER After those first five years we got involved with RV clubs and the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), thanks to a suggestion from Glen and Flower McMillen. We have traveled to many Area and National FMCA RV rallies and volunteered at most of them. We spent 20 years spending a lot of our time in a motorhome, although not full timing. During that 20 years, we put 160,000 miles on two motorhomes. After Joy died in 2018, I sold our 36’ Bounder to my grandson, his wife and two young daughters in Camarillo, CA. - Allyn Smith, Riverside, CA

Zoom Gathering 2020 When you can’t meet in person, what is the next best thing? A “Zoom Cocktail Hour” hosted

by Barb Schirmer and Celeste Carmichael. More than twenty-five 5-H’ers came together for our first Zoom event to reconnect with formal colleagues and good friends.

Folks were asked to “say your name, where you live now, where you worked in extension and for how long, and give us an estimate of how many nights you think you may have slept in the dorms at State Fair during your career and tell us the one thing that you actually liked about being at State Fair.”

Following introductions 5-H’ers were asked to take a little trip down memory lane to see how much we have chosen to forget about all those years we spent with 4-H kids at the Great NY State Fair. We were assigned to chat rooms to work on some trivia questions and to report back.

Zoom Memories Barb Schirmer - I am living in Woodstock, Ga in a lovely active living community called Sweetbriar Farms. Before it became a subdivision it was an active family farm, so I feel very much at home here. I am keeping busy with the Cherokee County Master Gardeners, writing for the Woodstock Newspaper, and giving some direction to developing gardening resources for kids. Travels lasts year took me to Joshua Tree National Park for Christmas with my son and his girlfriend. Also traveled to Mexico the month of February and had a wonderful time in Oaxaca, the beach at San Augustinillo , Mexico City and Guanajuato. Now, like everyone, just staying put with the hopes of a better new year!

Barb’s CCE career included a few years in Chemung County and 28 years in Livingston County before assuming a position at the State 4-H Office as our NYS 4-H Program Leader. She did not have a figure on how many days and nights she spent at the NYS Fair, but knew it was

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER many. One of her favorite activities at the NYS Fair besides working with the 4-H members and volunteers was to take in some entertainment at the far end of the Fairgrounds.

Celeste Carmichael – Celeste is still working with CCE as Program Development & Accountability Specialist and living in Moravia, NY. She worked for 14 years at the NYS Fair including her time in the County and at Cornell. She loved being at the State Fair especially because of the people and friends. She and husband Jeff, have three children who all loved the Fair and participated in many aspects of exhibiting. (Anna, Cara and Jeff) Jeff just turned 16.

So many good memories of state fair – here are a few – • many late nights – a little work preparing for the next day, but mostly conversations with dear friends in the 4-H office. I missed the “choir practice” days (not sure it was still going on when I started…I may have attended one).

• Almost daily conversation with Dick Dikeman where I would ask “what do you think about (fill in the blank with some crazy idea)”; and he would respond with a smile “Why not try?”…I loved working with Dick • Spaghetti dinners with the Dumas’ and our team at their trailer at least once per fair • “Family dinners” with the Teen Assistants where we ate real food and sat at one big table • “Projects” for the teens – we recovered chairs, cleaned closets, straightened signage, created databases…depending on their skills and talents.

• Bats – not a favorite – but a memory…right up there with fire drills.

• Watching the fireworks from the dorm.

• Giving the custodians nametags…they felt like part of the team…and I could ask them to help me with things by name.

• Coming home from Fair to pick and process my tomatoes…and “de-frag” relax a bit before being ready to take on the next event J • Working with teens to dream about murals, and parade floats, and slogans (4-H Takes You Places, 4-H Connects Kids with Cornell, etc) • The Dance once each rotation – may have danced with my fav educators a few times J • Chocolate Milk from the Rainbow Bar • Mr. Knarr and Mrs. Whipple & the culture of the poultry crew was really awesome…Marianne Whipple encouraged my girls to volunteer in the chick exhibit each year from the time they were 5. The first year Anna stayed in the dorm – she may have been 6…she found a snowglobe with a chicken and note from the chicken fairy under her pillow. She smiled from ear to ear.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Margaret Story – Began her career with CCE as an “Agent-at-Large” on assignment from the State 4-H Office. Who remembers that terminology? Her first year at the State Fair was awful, as it rained all the time. She started in Onondaga County before moving onto Rensselaer County. She enjoyed the Fair more as a 4-H’er than an Agent, except when she fell out of bed in the dorm.

Allyn Smith – Allyn spent nine years as a 4-H Agent in Clinton and Suffolk Counties and then 15 years as an Extension Representative at Cornell before going to California Cooperative Extension for a total of 48 years. He began his CCE career working at the State Fair in the Dormitory, which convinced him he wanted to be a 4-H Agent. He retired in 1999. Allyn’s wife died two years ago. He and his significant other are both 85 years of age and are enjoying “dating” (living together), summers in Pennsylvania and winters in southern California.

Bill Umscheid - Bill raised in the State of Kansas and worked in Cooperative Extension there for ten years prior to following Allyn Smith in Suffolk County. He was there for seven years before going to the State 4-H Office for fourteen years and then ten years in Kentucky retiring in 2002.

The fourteen years I worked with the New York State Fair 4-H Programs provided some longlasting memories that were highlights of my 40 year career with Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development programs. General highlights include the opportunity to associate with County 4-H Agents from all over the state that I did not get to see often and the extended contact with Extension Specialists who worked the departments. Such great people as: Bernice Scott, Ernie Schauffler, Ed Eaton, Ron Howard, Roger Kline, Sam Sabin and others.

Since activities in the youth building were capably managed by people like Ellie Peavey and Marty Cockram, I was able to circulate among the barns to support those in charge of livestock shows, tractor driving, etc.

One specific highlight was associating with the Teen Leaders who worked in the Youth Building and specifically those assigned to the 4-H office. It was sad, however, when each left after their period of the fair. That occurred three times each year and it was hard to see the tears as the teens left friends they had met and worked with during the fair. For the sake of history, I believe it was Jean Szabadi, State 4-H Specialist (and I am sure others) who was the “architect” of the teen leader program. I expect those hundreds of teens are the one who have the most lasting memories of friendships developed, skills learned and leadership gained.

I sure enjoyed the Zoom get together.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER

Jo Anne Baldini - I’m walking 2 -3 miles daily.....swimming when I can. Our pools are open with limited numbers. I’m one of the few volunteers that they have allowed back into Green Chair to do stuff...to keep families getting the items they need to manage. I take care of the linens and make many bed packs each day while keeping on top of the basic needs in order to make bedpacks.......sheets, comforters, mattress pads, blankets, bed skirts etc. Not getting to take in donations for about four months, this meant soliciting donations from businesses and people so that we could purchase the necessary supplies. Before going in, which I do two days a week, fully masked and hand sanitizing often, each of us takes our temperature at home, and then again when we walk in the door of Green Chair. Wearing a mask and doing the work we do, it is not long before we are sweating profusely....even with air conditioning.

I volunteer maybe 2 or 3 hours at most because of the conditions. I’m doing a lot of mask making....and I often think of all the 4-Hers that we taught to sew and hope they are using those skills during this pandemic. I’ve made hundreds of masks and have given them to family, friends, doctor’s offices, and folks walking by. I even made 50 specially designed ones for my son’s company out in Seattle.

I’ve also become the caretaker of a feral cat community Here. I’ve trapped and taken cats to TNR clinics here. Once a person has done that, the cat becomes yours to care for from here on out. Feed and water daily and just keep an eye of them. I so wish I could capture poppa cat as he is quite good at impregnating all the females in the neighborhood. We’ve started to name the different cats and they are regularly at our door for food and clean water. We are not going anywhere other than grocery store and of course I visit some quilt shops. Our golf course has been open all along so we play as we can.

We so miss our grandchildren. And are thankful for facetime but it’s just not the same when you can’t hug and just hang with grandkids. They are all getting so big.

Our health is good. Dan is having some hearing issues which we’re addressing day by day.

More surgery in the future to try and correct the issue. I have to almost yell for him to be able to hear me. Once his hearing aids are out at night he can’t hear anything. And of course, I hear everything. We had planned a trip to Ithaca in September but since we’re one of those states that no one wants to let into their state, we probably won’t make it. And we had such a deal on a lake house for a week spent with my brother Michael and his wife from Springfield, MA.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Dawn Dennis – Dawn became a State Program Assistant in 1986 before becoming an Educator in Penn Yan, NY (Yates County) and then retiring in 2006. See Dawn’s story on the “Big Storm in 1998” and working a 4-H Sewing Camp.

Ellen Elliott – Ellen worked in CCE, Albany County for 12 years and CCE, Schenectady County for 26 years retiring in 2004. She now lives in South Carolina. A favorite memory of working at the State Fair was having an opportunity to be with and work with other Professional Colleagues. After staying in the dorm for a couple years she started staying in a hotel while working at the fair.

Kathy Sherwood – Kathy worked in Delaware County CCE for 20 years (15 with Jim Rice and 5 with John Hannum). She and her husband (Randy) live in Delhi, NY and have been full time RV’ers in a Motor Home for the past two and one-half years. They are purchasing a house four miles from the home farm. She calculated having stayed in the Youth Dorm about 85 nights at the State Fair. Her favorite memory of State Fair was seeing how the 4-H’ers reacted to and with the public.

Jim and Robbie Rice – Jim began his CCE career in Tompkins County under the direction of John Sterling. He moved to Putnam before going to Delaware County where he retired after completing 36 years with Extension. He figured that he had slept in the Youth Dormitory 180 nights during this time. The food variety at State Fair was a favorite. He especially enjoyed working with the 4-H’er as they met and worked with the public. He spent much time working with the animal science youth and their exhibits. Robbie Jean Rice began her career with Cooperative Extension in the State of Maine working for the EFNEP program before moving to Suffolk County working with Allyn Smith, who took her to State Fair for her first time there. Actually, Allyn introduced Robbie Jean to Jim Rice.

Mary Fairley – Mary worked for 25 years in Essex County before moving to Saratoga County for another 13 years. She now lives in Ballston Spa, NY and her retirement job is working at local health and wellness center. I think I only missed 2 years of state fair in my 38 years. It wasn’t my favorite place but good things for both kids and staff happened there. Memories of State Fair for Mary included: I like so many, went to State Fair for the first time as a 4-H agent within a month of starting work. That first month also included a week of orientation at Cornell and preparing for and conducting county fair. Definitely a huge learning curve and lots of new experiences. State Fair holds lots of memories – dorm life, kid experiences and development, and the development of friendships and bonds with fellow agents.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Mary Ann Scharmberg – Mary Ann went to State Fair in 1970 as a 4-H’er with Barb Schirmer as her 4-H Agent. She became a 4-H Educator in 2005 and remained in Livingston County for ten years. . She loved and had a “ball” working with the 4-H’ers at the State Fair. While RV’ing near Tampa, Florida she ran into Kathy Sherwood, who was also attending an RV show there. She estimated that she stayed in the dorm for 100 nights. One special memory of the Fair was the year she had two of her 4-H’ers get a hand stuck in the Food Room door and resulted in broken fingers.

Nancy Schaff – I retired from the State 4-H Office as the State STEM Program Leader after the 2014 State Fair. My last day was Labor Day and Nigel came down with the golf cart to pick me and a Junior Superintendent up from the Coliseum where we had a display. He got caught up in the parade, so we had to run out and jump on the golf cart and then were part of the parade for my last day of work with NY 4-H – it was a perfect send off! I loved going to State Fair and seeing all of my colleagues and the 4-H members from around the state. One highlight was establishing the 4-H Robotics Challenge at the State Fair.

I started out as a 4-H Educator in St Lawrence County (1992-1998), and served as Ag Program Leader for a couple of years, and then 4-H Program Leader after Tim Davis left. When I came to campus I was an assistant to the Director of LEAD New York, but quickly transitioned to working in the State 4-H Office (1999-2003). I also served as Director of Ag in the Classroom and as the Director of Education and Public Outreach in the Dept. of Astronomy before returning to the State 4-H Office in 2011. Along the way I didn’t quite finish a PhD, but learned a lot in the process of working on it for several years part time. I had a fun and varied career at Cornell and am grateful for all the opportunities for learning and working with great colleagues.

After my husband Bill and I retired from Cornell we traveled and lived abroad for the next four years. We traveled to Belize, Guatemala, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, SE Asia, and Fiji. We lived in Australia two times while Bill worked there – a year and a half in Adelaide and a year in Brisbane. We loved Australia and still miss it. We also lived in Costa Rica for 8 months and did a house sit on the Big Island of Hawaii for 3 months.

We settled in Asheville North Carolina in September 2018 when we got tired of living out of suitcases. Our home has a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and I especially love hiking in the mountains. Pre-pandemic we enjoyed the many great restaurants, breweries, and live music venues in this really special place. I am also actively involved in the OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at the University of North Carolina, Asheville and serve on a curriculum committee for the College for Seniors. I especially loved working at the State Fair with my CCE colleagues.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Wendy Brock - Began her CCE career in Yates County before moving to Iowa in 1982 in Cedar Rapids, then on to Ames as Interim State 4-H Leader, in 2001 moved to New Hampshire as State 4-H Leader and Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation, from which she retired in 2016. She moved back to Iowa in 2017. She lives in the Cedar Rapid, Iowa area. Some of Wendy’s favorite memories of State Fair center around the Youth Dorm and going to Baker’s Chicken. I also remember how in most cases the changing of counties moved fairly smoothly, which goes to the credit of those in charge.

Nancy Caswell – Nancy is in her first year of retirement after 19 years with CCE. She and her husband have enjoyed visiting their children across the country. She liked working all together at the State Fair and especially with the County 4-H Leaders and the Press Corp.

John Sterling – John started his career in Extension as a 4-H member starting with Bob Blatchley and General Grant. John followed “General Grant” on June 30th, 1959. He worked in a variety of counties as an intern including Essex, Clinton, Oswego and Franklin. (His claim to fame was evaluating Tom Dumas’s 4-H garden and dairy projects when Tom was a “very young” member.)

John worked in Tompkins County for 10 years and then moved to the State of Massachusetts from which he retired in 1993.

John’s memories of State Fair included the “logistics” of getting kids and exhibits to and from the Fair, along with trying to sleep in Youth Dorm with the outside noise from beer cans being stepped on outside.

John and Nancy are now living in the retired community called “Longview” in Ithaca.

Al Woodward – Started his CCE career in Chenango County with Ted Sprangel. He got married on August 12 that first year. When he returned from his honeymoon, he went off to State Fair, to chaperone 4-H members. He estimates that he has slept in the Youth Dorms for more than 150 nights (including two summers as summer assistant). When he moved to Seneca County, after a few years, being within an hour from the Fair, he went home each day. Some of the favorite memories from State Fair were working with the 4-Hers and State Specialists – Ed, Ernie, Len, Sam, Dennis and Ed plus 15 fairs serving as 4-H YD STEM (formerly AG Eng.) Superintendent. I helped with a lot of dairy events and dog shows. Al was also active in our state and national associations. Al retired in 2005 and works part-time for Seneca County Chamber of Commerce promoting tourism.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Chip Malone – Chip continues to work towards retirement and is currently working on the STEM Science programs. He especially remembers the windstorm that shut the State Fair down in 1998. The dorm staff had to use Air Horns to implement a Fire Drill. He enjoys visiting his family members.

Ellie Peavey – Ellie grew up in the State of Maine where she was a 4-H’er and where Charlie Dvorak convinced her to come to New York State. Ellie worked in Onondaga County CCE and for one year as the State 4-H Leader for the State Fair. She played a vital role in beginning the Youth Talent Show Case just outside the Youth Building.

Barb Schwarting – Barb retired from CCE after 23 years in Onondaga County. Because of being located in Syracuse she did not have to stay in the Youth Dormitory. She was a 4-H Educator. The last 10 years I also work with the adult home economics program in special Cornell programs including agency staff trainng, parenting education, HIV-AIDS, SchoolAge Child Care Givers training.

I met my husband, Bill at State Fair when I was a 4-H vegetable crops assistant with Arthur Pratt in the Vegetable Crops building. It was a separate wooden building at the west end of the 4-H Building. It was between my freshman and sophomore years at Cornell. He was a 4-H ag engineering assistant with Ed Easton in the Farm Machinery Building across the street from the Boys and Girls Building. For several years I was the fair coordinator for the Home Ecomomic portion of Youth Building (I think it was 1968-1974). It was the first time the counties were divided by three and each year came to the fair for a different period.

Changing counties and exhibits every three or four days was certainly a challenge.

Since retiring, I joined the family business and keep busy, answering the phone, waiting on customers, doing the books and taxes and monthly billings. We sell underground drainage and many of our customers are farmers. The office is in my kitchen and the backyard is the storeroom. One of my sons is the owner.

I love to quilt and have made one for my three sons and their wives and for all 11 of the grandchildren as high school graduation gifts. Another hobby is researching family history.

Currently I’m writing a book about my life and hope to finish it this year. It started with a grandchild who wanted to know where a Christmas wall hanging came from. The name of book is “Because You Asked” I’m so happy that Barb Schirmer made it possible for us to get together.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Kim Fleming – Kim is still working part time and will have completed 34 years on 8/31/20’.

She upstaged us all on the Zoom Gathering, showing off her grandchild as a part of her family caring role. She is working three days a week along with caring for her grandchildren and pets. Kim started in 1987 in Cayuga County before going to the State 4-H Office for 13 years.

She is now in her 10th year working for CCE Administration. She only spent a few nights in the Youth Dorm as while she was working with the State 4-H Office, since she was able to stay in a nearby hotel, including the night of the “wind-storm” in 1998. Kim and Celeste have worked together for 24 years.

People I Have Heard From in 2020 Larry and Eileen Rhonemus - We now have a new address. lerhonemus@gmail.com We are ok except for a few health issues. Will you please let all know our new address?

Thanks. Larry and Eileen Niles Brown - Niles had a “mild stroke” earlier this spring. Fortunately, Donna recognized what was happening fairly quickly and called 911. EMTs agreed; he went to Upstate, after conferring with Strong; quick evaluation at Upstate and realization that they didn’t know how to deal with his LVAD so they transferred him to Strong. The stroke affected his right side. His right arm is limp and of not much use. His right leg is of more use, but not really good. The right side of his face is droopy and he has trouble swallowing. On the bright side, he seems to understand what is told/asked. He can partially respond – some words come out clearly and others are very jumbled. The doctors and nurses told Donna that he has his sense of humor! When she talks to him, he understands her and replies with partial sentences. He does tire easily. His goal is to reconnect with his former colleagues. He appreciates short calls (315-416-4098).

Sid and Sandy Cleveland - live at Longview Patio Homes in Ithaca, NY. Both are doing well and send their best wishes to all saying…”Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay Virus Free”.

Tom Davis – retired a few years ago from Orange County and took a position with the State 4-H Office as the NYS Fair 4-H Program Coordinator. Tom has always enjoyed the values youth gain from participation at both county and state fairs. He has since retired from his State Fair position but has not given up working with Orange County’s fair. Can you believe he actually drives a bulldozer in improving the fairgrounds? Since he has trouble driving a golf ball straight, I can’t imagine what new roads he has developed on the Orange County Fair property.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER NYS Fair 4-H Trivia Quiz How Many Answers Can You Provide?

1. What year was the Youth Building built and dedicated to 4-H? 2. What is the official name of the Youth Building displayed above the center doors?

3. What organization ran the cafeteria at SF? What year did it start? When did it end?

Name agents you remember who were involved in running the cafeteria.

4. Name all the Cornell Professors/State Specialists you remember that assisted with 4-H at the Sate Fair over the years.

5. Name the 4-H Educators you remember who continued to work in the Youth building after they retired.

6. Where did Educators go after lights out?

7. Who were the agents who led turtle inductions and entertained us with pages of red neck jokes?

8. What year were dorms updated with better functioning bathrooms?

9. Who at one time slept in the barracks behind the Youth Building?

10. What year did county rotations begin at State Fair?

11. What one exhibit in the Youth Building has been there the longest and continues to be one of the most popular with kids visiting the fair?

12. What is the most frequently asked question from visitors in the Youth Building?

13. What was the original location of the 4-H Dairy Exhibit Barn?

14. What was the cause for shutting down the fair early on Labor Day Weekend in 1998?

15. What Cornell President was instrumental in promoting the NYS 4-H Choose Health initiative at State Fair?

Discussion Questions 1. What were your most memorable experiences at SF? 2. If I had to relive my experience at the State Fair, I wish I had‌.?

3. What is the single most relevant value for a 4-Her participating in the NYS Fair in your opinion?

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER People We Have Heard From in 2019

Bill Umschied, George Broadwell, Barb Schirmer and Tom Dumas

Priscilla TenHagen - When I first got this notice about the 5-H picnic, I thought I must put it on my calendar because I always enjoy it so much. I didn’t do it immediately and by the time I thought of it again I had made other plans for the day. I’m sorry I’m missing it because I always enjoy it. Also a big “Thank You” for the 5-H News. I really enjoy reading it. Hopefully one of these days I’ll get something written for it.

Mary Lou Brewer – All is well in the Highlands in Pittsford. Keeping busy with many lectures, field trips around Western NY, a great variety of concerts, exercise class, water aerobics, bridge and Mah-jongg. Spent some time this past summer in the Adirondacks surrounded by many of the Brewer Family.

Charlene Baxter – Charlene Fisher Baxter began her career with CCE in Ontario County under the Program Leadership of Niles Brown. Charlene took a position with the University of New Hampshire Extension Service from which she has now retired. She and her husband Doug traveled for four months in a motor home around much of the United States including visiting their daughter on the west coast. Marti and I had an opportunity to visit Charlene and Doug as they spent much of the winter in Florida.

Robin Travis - I am afraid we won’t make it again this year as our son will be making his annual visit to us from Hawaii. Have fun and warm regards to everyone.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Dawn Dennis - Regrets that I cannot attend. Life is good for me with the ordinary and extraordinary bumps in the road. My 2 granddaughters have graduated from HS and one of them graduated from college this spring. My grandson, their brother, will be a Junior in HS this fall. Time passes far to quickly these days. The winter of 2017 was a very long one b/c Tim, my hubby, had double by-pass heart surgery. It was a long recovery, but he is back to farming and a very limited vet practice. I am in 2 quilt guilds that focus on community service, my proverbial cup of tea. In 2018 I entered a quilt in a challenge and was honored to have it selected as one of 10 Best of Show. It is traveling around the state to various shows until this September. I keep my hand in the Yates County 4-H program by leading a 2-day sewing camp each summer and evaluating projects at the county fair and public presentations. Tim celebrated his 50th reunion at the Cornell veterinary school in June. It was a great weekend, fantastic weather and we did a lot of walking around campus. We get to campus a couple times of year for basketball and lacrosse games but never take time to just be there. His time as a student in the vet school were great years for us as a couple as was my time as a 4-H educator.

Jennifer Jensen and I still ‘hang out’ once in a while. Like most of us, now that she is retired, we are so busy we see each other less than before.

I miss my 4-H families and colleagues. I had a great career working for CCE and with most of you, my colleagues. I was always treated with respect and I thank you for that.

I wish each one of you the best that life has to offer and pray that God will always protect you and those you love.

Rich McCaffery - Thanks Tom...I like getting all the e-mails so I can continue keeping in contact with those I do not see often.

John Sterling - Thanks Tom: Tough job you have — keeping us all connected (and satisfied).

Whatever/however you need to do, fine with me. Kinda like here at Longview —(Per email addresses) No matter how good the food is , there will be those who complain!!! Whatever you need to do to make your job easier is fine with me and much appreciated!!!! (Save time and space for MY arrangements. Can’t be too far in the future. 81 and counting…

Notes from Summer Picnic in 2019: (Everyone was asked to have a name tag and to wear a favorite shirt) Bill Umschied – shared his three stages of life: “Go Go, Slow Go and No Go”. Bill and Mattie made the drive up from their home in North Carolina to the summer picnic. Bill’s career included seven years in Suffolk County and fourteen years in the State 4-H Office. He worked with George Broadwell in the State Office.

Ellie Peavey – is on the Rochette’s tennis team. This year her dad celebrated his 101st birthday in Florida and she has a new grandson in Santa Barbara, California.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Mattie Umschied – worked in Tompkins County with JoAnne Baldini.

Sharon Anderson – worked in both Tompkins and Schenectady Counties.

Lois Chaplin – worked in Oneida County with Mary Lou Brewer. Her name tag focused on her work with the Local Roads’ and 4-H Bicycle Programs at Cornell. She will be in the Bike and Barge Tour in Amsterdam.

Niles Brown – lives in Tully, NY, is still serving on the 4-H Golf Tournament Fundraiser along with Kerm Bossard. Barb Schirmer is one of our big donors. We need more 5-H’ers to step up to being T-Green Sponsors.

Donna Johnson Brown – is wearing her CWF 1994 shirt (Citizenship Washington Focus).

Donna is very active with the Cortland Repertory Theatre, (CRT).

Bettie Heitmann – worked in CCE of Seneca County with Al Woodward retiring 12 plus years ago. Her shirt noted she is a “new 4-H Club Leader” having started a new 4-H Club. She is still active with gardening and the local Farmers Market. Another favorite activity is line dancing with a group of twenty dancers. She recently celebrated her 50th High School Class reunion.

Al and Trudy Woodward – worked in CCE of Seneca County. Al is involved with his Church works with the “Waterloo in Bloom” program at Exit #41 Office on the NYS Thruway.

Nancy Sterling – the Sterlings have moved to Long View Senior Community in Ithaca.

John Sterling – the Sterlings have three children and seven grandchildren. John claims the Sterlings have moved to the “Low Income District” versus the “Cadillac District” where George Broadwell is. John is experiencing some “Parkinson”. Remembers his long career in 4-H including checking Tom Dumas’s 4-H Garden and Animal Project back in the 1950”s.

Beth Claypole – Beth is not yet retired and is working in CCE of Wayne County for the 15 years.

Kim Fleming – is still working in CCE Administration as a Professional Development and Volunteer Involvement Specialist.

Megan Tifft – is still working with CCE of Tompkins County at the 4-H Program Team Leader.

She lives in Lancing and was a former 4-H member.

Allan Turner – was a 4-H’er in Massachusetts and spent most of his career in Livingston County. He and Barb have moved to a senior citizen home in the Utica, NY area.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Barb Turner – she and Allan met as 4-H Professionals. Her name tag focus on 75 years as a 4-H’er starting as a 4-H’er in 1944 and now a 4-H mom of Andy Turner. Her shirt was from her grand-daughter who is a Rotary Exchanged Student in India.

Sid and Nancy Cleveland – Sid retired some 26 years ago. He worked in Madison County with Luther Schafer and Mary Lou Brewer. He then moved to CCE of Orleans County before working in CCE Administration at Cornell. He and Nancy have officially become “senior citizens” at 80 years of age. They have moved to “Longview an Ithacare Community” to simplify living.

Special advice…”Don’t leave a houseful of stuff”. On August 27, 2019, Sid and Nancy celebrated 59 years together.

George Broadwell – has now reached the age of 89. He began his career with five years in Coop. Extension in Vermont and CCE of Schenectady County before moving to the State 4-H Office, having worked with Cooperative Extension for 35 years. He uses his hands to both see and hear and is living at Kendal of Ithaca, where there are 300 women and 200 men.

Sue Travis – At the end of 2018 celebrated their 50th Anniversary at Mohunk Resort nestled in the Hudson Valley. Sue worked with the EFNEP Program from 1972 and for the next 18 years, reaching the age of 50. Her degree was in Animal Science Specialist from Colorado State University. She also worked in Sullivan County CCE before moving to teaching nutrition at Cornell.

Arlene Wilson – is the Executive Director in CCE of Yates County. She promoted the ESP National Conference set for Monday, October 5, 2020 – Thursday, October 8, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester, NY. Andy Turner – is the current NYS 4-H Program Leader. His parents were both 4-H’ers both members and professional careers. Andy has been with CCE for 30 years. His family has been with Cooperative Extension for four generations, which now includes his daughter. NYS 4-H is hosting 20 Japanese Exchanged youth. His shirt focus on “Safe Spaces” for 4-H’ers. NYS 4-H is a leader in “Diversity Equity”.

Celeste Carmichael – is still working. Her resume’ includes working with: Niagara County Recycling, CCE 4-H of Orleans County, CCE of Cayuga County as Natural Resource Educator, State 4-H Office Administration and now CCE Administration in Program Development. She is also a 4-H volunteer leader in Moravia, NY for the past 18 years. She and her dad, who lives with her family, traveled to Italy this year.

Dana Palmer – Crashed last year and is in the “Want to be a 5-H’er” status. Her 18 year-old daughter starts college this year.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER PEOPLE WE’VE HEARD FROM Marti Dumas – has lived most of her life with a 4-H husband and supporting her two children in 4-H. She has been and remains our 5-H’er picture taker.

Tom Dumas – Having been a part of 4-H from an early age now extending some 65 plus years.

His career includes: 5 years in CCE 4-H of Jefferson County, 26 years as 4-H Program Leader and Executive Director of CCE of Cortland County, 2 years of Interim work with CCE 4-H in Chenango County and 15 years at CCE’s 4-H Program Coordinator to NYS Fair. He and his wife are proud to say, “4-H played an important role in their two children’s lives and careers”. He is in his 20th year as the NYS 5-H’er Newsletter Editor.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER

Obituaries Andrew C. Sprague March 5, 1948 - July 5, 2019 Warrensburg/Glens Falls: Andrew C. “Andy” Sprague, 71, formerly of Harrington Hil Road, Born March 5, 1948 in Gouverneur, he was the son of the late Frank and Norma (Zimmerman) Sprague. He developed his love of the outdoors and serving his community as a child in Gouverneur, earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Andy was a 1966 graduate of Gouverneur High School. He went on to attend Syracuse University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Forestry. He devoted himself to a career in public service and worked as the former Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County. He also joined the United States Navy Seabees Reserves, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer and proudly serving his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom until his honorable discharge in 2005.

Andy was a lifelong volunteer firefighter. He began by riding in the back of his family’s funeral home hearse that doubled as an ambulance in Gouverneur and then served in the Warrensburg Fire Department. At different times he acted in a number of leadership roles including Emergency Squad Captain. In his free time, he led countless youth for over thirty years in 4-H programs.

In addition to being a devoted and celebrated public servant, he loved his family and friends. He gave of himself to everyone and everything he came in contact with. He never backed down from a challenge but always had the time to teach and support someone else.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his nephew, Forrest Sprague.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Marie Sprague of Glens Falls, their daughter, Cammie Simmes and her husband Arin; grandchildren Randi, Clayton, and Jason of Queensbury; his brother, Lynn Sprague of Waynesville, NC and his sister Bethany “BJ” Sprague of Davis, CA. His family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many doctors, nurses, caregivers, and friends for the outstanding care, compassion, and support during this difficult time. Interment with full military honors was conducted at Gerald B. H. Solomon, Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville.

Memories of Andy

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Tom Dumas - Sorry, I was not able to get this out to you all before Andy’s funeral and military services.

We did have a great showing of 5-H’ers who attended Andy’s funeral. It was very emotional with both military and Firefighters in attendance. The Warrensburg Community filled the Funeral home to express their sympathy. Andy Sprague was a cherished member of their community.

Many may know that Andy Sprague served our country as a Navy Seabee Reservist. At the end of his working career he was sent to Iraq, where he contracted a rare disease. It basically consumed his life. Andy was fully aware of what caused his rapid decline in health and had no regrets for his service to our country.

He never complained and was mentally sharp until his end. I can only admire his courage and dedication.

Barb Schirmer - Thanks Tom for keeping us all informed. So very sorry to lose our good friend Andy.

Jeannie Griffiths - There again goes one of the “GREAT ONES”!!!

Bill & Mattie Umscheid - Hi Tom, thanks for sending. I always valued Andy’s opinion. It is a shame we have to read a colleague’s obit to really understand their contributions to the community and society.

Chip Malone - I am shocked and saddened, Tom. Thanks for keeping us informed. I had no idea regarding his health complications from serving overseas.

Wendy K. Rogers October 24, 1950 - July 31, 2019 Wendy K. Rogers age 68, of Pike, peacefully passed away on July 31, 2019 at Wyoming County Community Hospital. She was born Oct. 24, 1950 in Warsaw, daughter to Evelyn Stroud Tarey and the late Alfred Tarey. She grew up on the family farm and attended Letchworth Central School. Wendy worked as the transportation director at the Office for the Aging in Warsaw for 25 years before she retired in 2007. She also worked as the Town Clerk in Pike for 17 years and drove school bus full time at Letchworth Central School for 13 years and some part time after that. She was treasurer of the East Koy Cemetery Association for many years and a member of the Wyoming County Fair Association. Wendy also was a member of the Castile United Church of Christ where she was a former Elder and chair of the Youth Committee. In her free time, she enjoyed camping, kayaking, bird watching and photography. Surviving along with her mother is her loving husband of 31 years, Larry Rogers; her daughter, Yvonne (Guy) Cutler of Horseheads; Larry’s sons, Michael Rogers of Portageville and Jason Rogers of Monroeville, Pa.; her sisters, Judy (Robert) Goff of Pike, Susie (Norman) Randall of Gainesville and Sally (Rick) Tarey-Rickard of Pike; her grandchildren, Julia Cutler and Joshua Cutler; her step-grandchildren, Noah Rogers and Eva Rogers; and several nieces and nephews.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES John Freebern d. October 6, 2019 John Freebern, 79, of Camillus, passed away at University Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He graduated from SUNY Cobleskill, University of Georgia and Michigan State University. John was employed with Cornell Cooperative Extension as a 4-H extension agent for over 30 years, retiring in 1995. He also served as an instructor and volunteer with the American Red Cross. John was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marcellus. Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy; sons, Ken (Jennifer) Freebern of Maryland and Steve (Jenny) Freebern of New York; brothers, George (Pat) Freebern of Florida and David Freebern of South Carolina; and grandchildren, Ellen, Brian and Brittney. Services were private. John was laid to rest in Maplewood Cemetery, Camillus.

From Nancy Freebern: Thanks for letting everyone know about John. He suffered most of the summer with cancer at Upstate Cancer Center. He died Sunday October 6th with the family around him. The service will be private sometime in the spring. Thanks for your newsletter to all of the extension agents John enjoyed reading it. Thank you. Nancy Freebern 104 Wallace Avenue, Camillus, N.Y. 13031

Len Topoleski A Memorial fete for Len was held on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at Mahler Hall, St. Catherine of Siena Parish Center. Len passed away on February 8, 2019, and we had a very private funeral with just family at that time.

Unfortunately, we were not able to do a reception following. For friends that did not attend, my family and I would love a note or two from those who can remember him, students and professionals all. We miss him.

I am grateful for all you can do. There are so few of us left these days. Friends may send notes of memories to PO Box 4140, Ithaca NY 14850. Yours, Jan Topoleski

James Clarence Preston James Clarence Preston of Hector, NY, and beloved husband of Gretta for 66 years, went to be with his Lord on September 2, 2019. He passed peacefully at home while holding his bride’s hand.

‘Jim’ was born in Friendship, NY to the late Clarence and Livonia (Pierce) Preston. Losing his mother at a young age, he grew up in farming communities across NY State, and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1944. Jim proudly volunteered to serve his country during WWII that same year. In the Navy, unable to pursue his love of flying due to color blindness, he became a Patrol Craft Radarman 3rd class, having graduated from Sampson Naval Base Training Camp in Romulus, NY. Never losing his interest in farming, agriculture and rural community development, after his honorable discharge in 1946, Jim graduated from Cornell University in 1950 and started his working career as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Agent. Jim

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES loved traveling across the counties where he worked and knew every back road because he rarely took the same route twice. He was much appreciated by those he met, and with his knowledge and winning personality, Jim made many lifelong friends of the farmers he served. He was a member of the Extension professional’s Epsilon Sigma Phi Honorary Fraternity.

In 1951, Jim met ‘the love of his life’ while working in Steuben County. He married Gretta Robbins in 1953 in Bath, NY. Having loved his time as a student at Cornell, and while starting a family, Jim continued his education, earning his Master’s Degree from University of Wisconsin in 1959. By 1963, Jim and Gretta had welcomed 3 daughters into the world, and that year Jim accepted his dream job in Cornell Cooperative Extension at Cornell University, moving the family to Ithaca, NY. Jim’s love of education continued, and he earned his Doctor of Education at Cornell in 1968. Jim accepted his 2nd dream job at Cornell as a Professor in the Dept. of Rural Sociology, and at the same time became Director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. Jim then developed the Empire State Food and Agriculture Leadership Institute (LEAD New York), and became its first Director. His 2-year pilot program for the Institute was so valued and well received that it continues today, having graduated 17 classes. In recognition of his significant contributions Jim humbly received the honor of Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from his much-loved Cornell.

Jim had many hobbies, but loved time spent with his family the best. The family trips every summer will never be forgotten by his daughters. Unfailingly kind and loving, there were still rules to live by that Jim did not waver from and he instilled those values in ‘his girls’. Cindy, Joan and Barb could not have been prouder to call him ‘Dad’ for he was the best one ever. Jim shared his love of gardening, boating, hunting, fishing, archery, golf, square dancing, cards, horseback riding and many other hobbies with anyone in the family with the same interests; those memories of his enthusiasm will remain forever. He remained an avid reader up until his death. Family as well as friends will remember Jim’s love of most any Cornell sport, as well as any sport that had one of his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren playing. He never missed a Cornell hockey game if he could help it, and that went double for watching his family play any sport of their choice. His family will never forget the encouragement of his ‘cheering ‘ that could be heard like a foghorn across any playing field. Always closely involved with his home and school communities, Jim happily took leadership roles whenever called upon. He made friends everywhere he went and his commitment to church, Rotary, and Cornell Alumni Associations was unwavering. He was a member of RSVP, Alpha-Zeta fraternity, Naval Patrol Craft Association, Parkinson’s Support Group and many others. Jim was honored to have been recognized 3 times in Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow, most recently in the week preceding his passing. Jim’s love of traveling was shared with Gretta. They visited all 50 of the United States, on most trips using their motor home, including to Alaska and back. They did not stop their trips until Parkinson’s disease forced Jim to slow down in his 80’s. There was ‘no quit’ in the man as he did everything ‘right’ in managing his Parkinson’s, rather than let Parkinson’s manage him. He will forever be an example to his family of the best way to deal with what life hands you!

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Gretta (nee Robbins) Preston, much loved sister Ruth (Robert) White of Cary, NC, sister-in-law Vera Robbins of Bath, NY, daughters: Cynthia (Michael) Hagin and Joan (Fred) NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Denmark JR, both of Trumansburg, NY; daughter Barbara (William) Yaeger of Cumming, Ga.; grandchildren, Timothy (Kate) and Todd (Lonnie) Denmark, Katelyn (Chris) Hubbell and Stephanie (Jeff) Steuer, Erica (John Whiting) Yaeger and Mackenzie (Henry Candela) Yaeger. Great grandchildren Allison, Cole, Emma and Robert Denmark, and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his loving inlaws Joseph and Ethel Robbins of Bath, NY, his brother Roger (Grace), infant sister Betty, brother-in laws Joseph (Doris), Harold (Patricia) and Albert Robbins, sisters- in-law, Norma (George) Freeman and Thelma (Art) Covert.

James C. Preston a note from Gretta – Just to let you know with a very heavy heart that my beloved Jim passed away September 19, 2019 here at home with all the family here. It was the toughest day ever, but I am so thankful for “my three wonderful daughters and their families”, are here to help me get through the grieving process (they seem to get us thru the toughest of times). Don’t know how I could possibly get thru this without their love and support. He was my “rock” and I will always have all the memories of our 66 years together and that can never be taken away…Blessings Gretta

Raymond Downs Kamenuk Barb Schirmer’s Dad age 101, entered into rest at his home in Arkport on Monday, December 30, 2019. Ray was a life-long resident of the Canisteo Valley. He was born on July 31, 1918 in the Town of Hornell to Jack and Effie Downs Kamenuk. He graduated from Hornell High School in 1937 and was married to Pauline Olive Coots on March 11, 1939 in Riverside, NY. Working with his Uncle, Walter Gilbert of Hornell, Ray helped to establish the Gilbert Horseradish Company on Greely Avenue in Hornell. The operation grew from a small garage-centered business to a larger expanded food processing plant that distributed products throughout the Western NY area. In 1970 the Gilbert Horseradish Company was purchased by the Heluva Good Cheese Company in Sodus and is still sold in stores across the state under that brand. In the early 70’s Ray purchased a Pepperidge Farm Bread franchise and spent three years on the road delivering breads to area grocery stores. Upon retirement from that, he worked for 10 years as a custodian at Canisteo Central School. He also inherited and operated the family farm owned by his mother’s family, on the back road between Canisteo and Hornell where there was a small dairy and various cash crops. His fondest memories were always about his youth growing up on the farm. Ray enjoyed watching the Yankees and he and his wife Pauline were avid gardeners at their Maple Street home in Canisteo, where they lived for 69 years.

He is predeceased by his wife, Pauline who passed in 2004. Survivors include his daughters Arlene (Duane) Baird of Woodburn, Oregon, Linda Kamenuk of Hornell and Barbara Schirmer from Woodstock, Georgia.

Grandchildren include Peter Schirmer from Oakland, CA and Jillian (Erik) Waldman from Atlanta, Georgia and one great granddaughter, Addison Waldman from Atlanta. Several nieces and nephews also survive him.

Additionally, his dear friend and neighbor Pat Nephew, from Arkport, who cared for him over the past eleven years in his home, brought sunshine into his life. He was tenderly cared for by Lena Ross and her staff from Tender Loving Home Care. The family greatly appreciates the love and support “his girls”, Lena Ross, Felicia

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER Seaman, Julie Vaughn and Jessica Cabic provided during his final months. His friends and neighbors at Pine Knoll Park in Arkport all helped to enrich his life and everyone enjoyed his great hand-wave and mischievous smile as he greeted friends and family who stopped to visit.

Anne Hartman Anne Hartman, spouse of Dennis Hartman, Extension Dairy Specialist passed away March 28, 2020 in Blacksburg, VA., where she had resided with her husband Dennis A. Hartman for 42 years. She was born in Sedalia, MO, on February 22, 1935 to Milton and Elizabeth Chamberlain, the eldest of three daughters. She grew up on the family farm until 1949 when the family moved to Carrollton, MO and her father began a career at Farm Bureau Insurance. Having graduated from Carrolton High School in 1953, she was accepted at the University of Missouri, where she majored in Home Economics. Anne enjoyed being a student and member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority for the three years that she studied at Mizzou. She was well on her way to graduating, until wedding bells rang and her life-long love affair with Dennis began.

Anne was working in a gift shop at the Lake of the Ozarks one summer day, when a handsome young man walked into the store, their attraction for each other began that day and led to a long, happy marriage of 64 years this June. Martha Anne Chamberlin was married to Dennis A. Hartman on a hot summer day, June 30, 1956 at the First Baptist church in Carrollton, MO. It was an elaborate service, with Anne’s two sisters, Claire and Janet, assisting as candle lighters. Anne wore a floor length gown of white imported Swiss organdy, a snug pointed bodice and a voluminous circular skirt made of layers of organdy over tulle and taffeta. In addition to carrying a cascading bouquet, the bride also carried an heirloom handkerchief that had been carried at her grandmother’s and mother’s weddings.

Anne and Dennis moved to Ithaca, NY where Dennis became a Professor of Animal Science at Cornell University for 21 years. Their two sons were born in Ithaca; Mark August and Douglas Milton. Anne participated in Bible study groups as well acted as a mentor to international exchange students at Cornell. They enjoyed bringing up their family in Ithaca and sharing many happy times with their Cornell faculty friends and their families.

In 1978 Anne and Dennis, now with both sons in college, decided to make a move to a warmer climate and moved to Blacksburg, VA. Dennis continued his career in the collegiate world and joined Virginia Tech as a professor of Dairy Science. Anne became a member of the PEO women’s organization in 1987. She also taught English to international exchange students at Virginia Tech and was an active member of the first Baptist Church in Blacksburg where she initiated a volunteer fellowship meal program for out of town families who were attending funerals at the church. A very talented cook, she took pride in creating and serving large dinner parties for friends and family, for all occasions. Anne wanted to see how the working world felt so she took a job at a local Blacksburg bank as a teller for a few years. Other hobbies included bird watching and gardening. Anne and Dennis both enjoyed stays at their Smith Mountain Lake house and winters in their condo in Englewood, FL.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Anne is survived by her husband, Dennis; her sisters, Claire and her husband, Robert Raasch and their children, Jason and Jonathan, Janet and her husband, Richard Lippold and her children, Beth and Cathy; sons, Mark and his wife, Linda and their children, Matthew and Lauren, Douglas and his partner, Michael. The latest addition to the immediate family is August Hartman, son of grandson, Matthew and his wife, Kimberly, and great grandson to his great grandmother, Anne Hartman.

David Thomas Smith David was born May 27, 1930 at Beaver Falls, PA. His parents were J. Edward Smith and Ella Mae Brace. He graduated from Edison High School, Elmira Heights, NY in 1948 and from Cornell University in 1952.

He married Phyllis Louise Livermore, a high school classmate. They have six children: Leah Robinson, D. Thomas Smith (Rick Barrow), Marsha Bernice Smith (Piers Bramham), Daniel Lewis Smith (Katherine Hendricks), Kenneth Brace Smith (Elizabeth) and Kathryn Marie Smith. They also have 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

David taught vocational agriculture at Poland, NY and farmed on the Ridge Road in Chemung County. In 1955 he and Phyllis moved to Munnsville where he was a Cooperative Extension Agent with Russ Cary. In 1956 they moved to Cooperstown and worked with Dale Brown and lived on Chestnut Street. In 1970 he was named the first county director of extension in Monroe County and lived at Fairport, overlooking the Barge Canal.

His brother, James, shared his interest in agriculture and retired from Central Hudson Gas and Electric and lives at Newburgh. His sister, Rebecca, taught Braille and died in 1992.

David became agricultural program leader at Cornell in 1970 and was named Associate Director of Extension in 1974. They lived at Dryden. He retired in 1986.

In 1956 several extension agents bought a camp on The Narrows on Inlet Flow at Wanakena and named it Sodbusters Lodge. They spent vacations and weekends there until the camp was sold in 1992.

Phyllis and David banded blue birds and tree swallows for many years. David was President of the NYS Bluebird Society and chaired the committee that organized the North American Bluebird Society National Conference held at Cornell in 2004.

Phyllis and David were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown and now the First Presbyterian Church of Dryden.

In 2013 they moved from their home in Dryden to Longview, a retirement community near Ithaca College.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Barb Mandingo ALTOONA, Florida — Barbara Keeney Mandigo passed away on Aug. 18, 2020, at Lake View Terrace in Altoona, Florida, resulting from complications from a fall.

She was born April 17, 1915, the daughter of Noble E. Keeney and Ella Bacon Keeney of Groton, New York.

Barbara graduated from Genoa High School in 1932 and received a Bachelor of Science in human ecology from Cornell University in 1937. After graduating from Cornell University she was employed by the Oswego Cooperative Extension Service, New York, from 1937 until 1942; by the Department of Social Services in Mexico, New York, from 1953 to 1955; and by the 4-H Extension Service as a 4-H club agent from 1955 to 1975. Barbara also ran a local 4-H Club, the Spring Brook Hustlers, that had as many as 35 members including her sons.

Barbara received the Epsilon Sigma Phi Award for Quality & Excellence while working for the 4-H Extension Service.

Barbara was a member of the Pulaski Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher for many years, a 77-year member of the Farm Bureau, an 81-year Grange member, an 81-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a consultant for the Farm Journal in 1959 and 1960, village historian for Pulaski, New York, from 1984 to 2001, member of the Monday Club, hosted two students and oversaw student/host relations in Oswego County for American Field Service (AFS), a life member and active contributor to the historical societies in Pulaski and Lansing, New York, chairman of the Chaplin Committee at Lake View Terrace, chairman of the Boggy Creek Camp Committee and was president of the Lake View Terrace Residents Association in 2006.

As a member of the Boggy Creek Camp Committee, Barbara cut and sewed more than 5,000 “skins” for teddy bears, 22 pieces for each bear, that were in turn stuffed and given to children attending Boggy Creek Camp, a camp for seriously ill children. She was honored as the People’s Choice Volunteer by the Orlando News 13 TV station in April 2016 for her work.

In 1940 Barbara Keeney married Richard F. Mandigo and they moved to the Stewart family farm (since 1876) in Pulaski, New York. Barbara and Richard both retired in 1975. From 1975 to 1986 they traveled extensively; visiting cities, friends and historical sites on all continents (except Antarctica) in addition to New Zealand, Japan and the South Pacific islands. During these travels Barbara authored journals that were published in the Pulaski Democrat Newspaper. She and Richard also presented numerous seminars on this material to Pulaski students. From 1986 until 2001, they spent winters in Umatilla, Florida, and summers in Pulaski. Barbara resided permanently at Lake View Terrace since 2001.

Barbara and Richard (1916–2010) had five sons: Paul Mandigo (Mary), DeKalb, Illinois; Ted Mandigo (Shirl), Elmhurst, Illinois; Frank (Nadine), Salt Lake City, Utah; Charles (Lori Ann), Seattle, Washington, and Dan (Marilyn), Sandy NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Creek, New York. Barbara had 12 grandchildren: Katie Madison and Jon (Paul); Karen, Ric and Josh (Ted); Jennifer Brennan and Christopher (Frank); Caela and Ryley (Charles) and Kristy Kinkor, Danielle Hamilton and John; and, six great-grandchildren: Charlotte (Jon/Paul); Seth (Ric/Ted); Madeleine and Lillian Bea (Jennifer/Frank); Benjamin, Brian and Evelyn (Christopher/Frank); Alexander and Colin (Kristy/Dan) and Daniel “Zane” (John/Dan).

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Richard; four brothers, Earl, Robert, Ted and Jim; five sisters, Polly Alberger, May Bowman, Ester Larson, Betty MacKenzie and Annajean Ayers; son Frank; and grandson Josh.

Barbara had a lifetime association with Cornell University: her parents met while attending classes at Cornell; she was a graduate of Cornell (Class of 1937); she met her husband, Richard, at Cornell; her five sons, daughter-in-law Marilyn, and granddaughter Danielle all graduated from Cornell; and Cornell was her employer for 20 years when she was with the 4-H Extension Service. She attended her 75th and 80th Cornell Class Reunions, and was featured in an interview as the oldest Cornell alumna during the 2020 Cornell virtual reunion.

Barbara experienced many things in her lifetime, some of them reaching back in time: Stories from her father who was a U.S. Marine providing security during the construction of the Panama Canal and at the 1905 Portsmouth Treaty Conference ending the Russo-Japanese War; as a child, shaking hands with a Civil War veteran who had shaken the hand of President Abraham Lincoln; meeting Eleanor Roosevelt at Cornell University; and, coming of age during and experiencing the deprivations of the Great Depression.

Always learning, Barbara was never without a good book (usually nonfiction, with particular interest in biographies and American history). Her curiosity made for lively conversation, and she made fast friends wherever she went.

She loved to hum old hymns; if she wasn’t reading, she was humming. Barbara will be remembered for her fierce intelligence, grit, and a lifetime of service. She set an example for family and many others and will be sorely missed. She leaves us with the charge: “Make yourself useful.”

A memorial service for Barbara will be held sometime in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Boggy Bears Club at Lakeview Terrace, 331 Raintree Drive, Altoona, FL 32702.

John Sterling on Barb Mandigo: Barbara Mandigo was the Assistant 4-H agent with Bill Cheney when I was hired “off the “official” Cornell summer Assistant hiring employment” when, as a Freshman, my best friend was a 4-Her’ from Oswego County and he connected with Barbara and Bill and I was hired directly by the County, “off” the Cornell Summer Assistant records - for $100 /month for July and August. Barbara was a “feisty” very energetic Agent in those days, too. Good money in those days. Summer of 1956. The next summer, I met you,,, if “all my memory ducks” are in order! Sorry to duplicate my history, but Barbara and her family were exceptionally active and energetic, and had a great influence upon everyone she met, including 17 year old ME!

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Dennis Hartman Dennis August Hartman passed away June 4, 2020, at the age of 89, in Blacksburg, VA, where he had resided with his wife Anne, for 42 years. He was born in Florence, Missouri, May 3rd, 1931 to August and Nora Hartman.

He grew up on the family farm along with his two sisters, Leona and Doreen. The Hartman farm was involved in crop farming as well as dairy and egg production. Dennis developed an understanding of dairy cattle, milk production, feed and care early on in his life that eventually became the core of his life’s work – animal husbandry, specializing in dairy science. He showed dairy cattle at local and state fairs, winning Champion Junior Showman at the 1949 Missouri State Fair when he was 18. Another showman award granted him a trip to Ontario, Canada to attend the Royal Winter Fair.

Dennis graduated from Stover High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Missouri, where he received both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters degree. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In between his studies at Mizzou he served in the US Army during the Korean War. He earned his PHD in Animal Science from Ohio State University.

Dennis met the love of his life one summer day at the Lake of the Ozarks. Anne had a summer job working in a gift shop, when Dennis walked in with some of his buddies. As the story goes, Dennis took one look at Anne and remarked to his friend, “I’m going to marry that girl”! And marry they did! Anne Chamberlin and Dennis Hartman were married June 30th 1956, at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton, Missouri. This June would have been their 64th wedding anniversary.

In 1956 Dennis joined the faculty of Cornell University as a professor of Animal Science, a position that he held for 21 years. He enjoyed teaching and working with students and served as a State 4-H Dairy Specialist. He successfully coached students on 4-H judging teams, winning the national championship award 3 times. Winning the nationals in the late 1960’s included an extended trip throughout Europe for the entire team. Dennis and Anne chaperoned the trip as the team boarded a VW bus and drove to visit dairy farms and capital cities from England to Germany, France, Belgium and Scotland.

He enjoyed judging dairy cattle shows, throughout his career he judged shows at most northeastern and southeastern state fairs as well as several international fairs. He was a prolific writer and publisher of educational dairy research and a contributing columnist for several monthly dairy science publications. He served as a visiting professor at the University of Florida and the University of Missouri.

Dennis had a way with animals, including dogs. He taught dog obedience classes for many dog lovers who needed instruction training their dogs. At the completion of the program all the dogs were shown by their owners in a graduation show competition, with an award ribbon ceremony. He designed an upscale, but utilitarian outdoor

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES dog house that was widely praised, with plans available to the public, published by Cornell University press.

Music and guitar playing were some of his favorite forms of expression. While at Cornell he created a small musical group consisting of a professor of sheep, a professor of hogs and himself, a professor of cows, thus the group’s name,” The Bull, Ram, Bores”. They played at various faculty functions and some awards ceremonies, providing music, and humor.

Dennis and Anne’s two sons were born in Ithaca, Mark August and Douglas Milton .They enjoyed bringing up their family in Ithaca and sharing many happy times with their Cornell faculty friends and families.

In 1978 Dennis and Anne decided to make a move to a warmer climate and moved to Blacksburg, VA. Dennis continued his career in the collegiate world and joined the faculty at Virginia Tech as a Professor of Dairy Science, a position that he held for 16 years.

Dennis had many life-long hobbies and interests that included fishing, which began when he was a boy fishing in the Florence creek near the family farm to fishing in the New River and Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia and Lemon Bay in Florida. He loved playing golf and was a member of the Cornell and VA Tech golf courses as well golf leagues that held annual competitions, one of which he won for the high scoring senior player. Quail and pheasant hunting was another passion that allowed him to enjoy nature, and to watch his bird dogs working the fields on the scent of a quail or pheasant. Growing roses became a huge interest later in his life, resulting in his growing and tending more than 50 rose bushes and showing his roses at the Roanoke Rose Society exhibitions.

He was an avid fan of both basketball and football, especially on the collegiate level.

Dennis and Anne enjoyed stays at their Smith Mountain Lake house and winters at their condo in Englewood, FL. They both loved to travel and made many memorable trips both domestically and internationally.

Dennis had a strong Christian faith and love for our Lord. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blacksburg where he served as a deacon and attended Fidelas Sunday school. He was also a member of the Blacksburg Lions Club. He dearly loved his wife Anne. They happily shared the majority of their rich and blessed lives together on earth, now they are together again in Heaven. Anne passed away just 2 months ago proceeding Dennis. Survivors include eldest son Mark and his wife Linda, their two children Matthew and Lauren, and great grandson, August, son of Matthew and his wife Kimberly; Douglas and his partner, Michael.

Nephews Mick and Phillip Selken, children to his eldest sister, Leona and her husband Paul, both deceased, and Mick’s children Eric and Sarah. Nephew Andrew and niece Anne McRoberts, children to his sister Doreen and husband A.J., “Mac”, both deceased, and Andy and his wife Melissa’s son Jack John Sterling on Dennis Hartman - I have a story re: Dennis which I honored not to tell anyone (at least, I believe, while Dennis was alive). In the 1960’s, Dennis and I hunted together on a very regular basis. At some point, Dennis

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES shot one of the duck “decoys” a neighbor had set out in the field near our house. He “Really” peppered it. He thought “I set him up ?? Don’t really know. Sure took me ages to get that decoy patched enough to look normal, and return it to its owner. Dennis was livid/ “Mad!!!! I think he “still” thinks I set them up for him !!! Not so, Our neighbor had, and out of the cornfield, he jumped and “yelled” at Dennis.

Ward MacMillen Ward was a 4-H Agent in Delaware County in the 60’s and early 70’s. I remember briefly working with him as a professional. Brian Mitteer replaced Ward for a short few years and then Jim Rice in Delaware County. Ward had a GreenHouse business and went to Cobleskill to teach horticulture.

Ginny Houseknecht Age 72, of Ithaca, formerly of Watkins Glen, passed away peacefully, following a brief illness, on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

She is predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Lee N. Houseknecht, and parents Dr. Charles and Sara Gundlach of Springfield, VA. She is survived by daughter, Ashley Houseknecht (Mitchell Munson) of King Ferry, NY; brother, Tim (Hunter) Gundlach of Richmond, VA; sister, Heidi Gundlach (Stephen Di Giulian) of Arlington, VA; niece, Sarah Gundlach (Whitney) Williamson of Richmond, VA; nephew Michael (Lauren) Gundlach of Richmond, VA, three greatnephews and several first and second cousins.

Virginia was a graduate of Penn State University and Cornell University. She retired in 2005 after serving as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Agent for 35 years. As the leader of the Family and Consumer Sciences program of Schuyler County, she touched countless lives with programs ranging from nutrition and food safety to budgeting and parenting. Virginia was truly passionate about her work, and loved her coworkers and community.

In retirement, Virginia continued with her spirit of volunteerism and community activism by founding the Southern Tier Parkinson Support Group. For her work, she was honored in 2012 with a New York State Woman of Distinction Award from the New York State Senate. During retirement, she also became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Watkins Glen. Virginia found strength in their Sunday services.

For the past three years, Virginia resided at Bridges of Cornell Heights in Ithaca, NY. While she certainly missed living in Watkins Glen, she did develop many new relationships and community ties.

A Celebration of Virginia’s Life will be celebrated at a later date.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER - OBITUARIES Andrew James Levey Andy passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday August 22, 2020, at the age of 90.

A lifelong resident of Rotterdam, Andrew (Andy) was born January 1, 1930 to the late Andrew M. and Edna (Tidball) Levey.

After graduating from Draper High School, Andy went on to receive his Bachelors Degree in Agriculture from Cornell University, in 1951. After graduation, Andy returned to the family farm and continued farming full-time until 1964, when he joined the farm department at National Commercial Bank. He then went on to work for Albany County Cooperative Extension as a 4-H agent until his retirement in 1988. During his many years of service with 4-H, he was a recipient of the National Distinguished Service Award and a Past President for the New York State 4-H. His care for the family farm continued through out his life.

Andy was also a member, elder, trustee and treasurer of Christ’s Church of the Hills in Mariaville, NY. Andy married the love of his life, Anne (Wadsworth) Levey on May 24, 1952 after the two met while both attending Cornell University. Predeceased by his parents and sister, Catherine McEachron, Andy is survived by his wife Anne, his son, Paul J. (Brenda) Levey of Salem, NY and daughter, Sally A. (James) Jensen of Rotterdam, grandchildren Mackenzie J. (Mike Fraioli) Levey, Taylor A. Levey, Jesse R.L. (Katie) Jensen and Casey D.L. Jensen.

Andy’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Bev for her friendship, as well as her daily phone calls which always brightened Andy’s day. The family would also like to thank the caring staff of Rely Health Care Services, who provided Andy with the needed assistance that allowed him to spend his final days at the farm that he loved so much. A special thank you to Khemwatie, Babita, BiBi, Amanda, Brittany & Sharon, who always treated Andy with kindness, caring and respect.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER

A Message from the NYS 4-H Foundation: We’re Going to Need Them

We’re going to need the next generation of leaders to face the challenges the future will bring.

The next generation is growing now, and they need access to 4‑H programs that provide a haven to explore their interests and build the skills and confidence to follow their dreams in fields like healthcare, agriculture, STEM and government.

More than anything, they need the courage and character 4‑H builds to tackle life’s challenges and become the future leaders we all need.

Help us support the more than 130,000 New York State 4-H’ers by donating to the NYS 4-H Foundation before December 31.

THANK YOU!

DONATE NOW

NEW YORK STATE 4-H

5-H NEWSLETTER

About NYS 4-H For over 100 years, 4-H has impacted the lives of millions of New York youth through clubs, after-school programming, camps and trips, all while connecting them to Cornell University through hands-on activities and leadership opportunities.

Some of our state flagship programs include the State Teen Action Reps Retreat (STARR), Career Explorations, NYS 4-H Communications Institute, and 4-H at The Great New York State Fair. For more NYS events, click here.

New York State 4-H is a part of Cornell University Cooperative Extension and our state office is housed in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research on the Cornell University campus, in Ithaca, NY.

About the NYS 4-H Foundation Since 1949, the NYS 4-H Foundation serves to raise funds from private sources to engage youth in reaching their fullest potential, while advancing the field of youth development.

The NYS 4-H Foundation supports leadership events at both the county and state levels, public presentations, livestock competitions, and provides scholarships to events like National 4-H Conference and Career Explorations at Cornell. Consider supporting the NYS 4-H program through the Foundation today by visiting us here. Donations can be made online, through the mail, and through planned giving opportunities. Contact us for more information.

NEW YORK STATE 4-H