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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER • www.CommunityPress.us Volume 34
SEPTEMBER 2019
Number 9
Baker Fireman’s Fountain Rededicated Historic weekend in Owego celebrates iconic fountain
Photo by Fred Brown Jr. ©2001
When the Owego Hose Team set out to restore the iconic Baker Fireman’s Fountain no one imagined the journey and final result that was on full display in downtown Owego on August 24, 2019, at the fountain’s rededication. Standing protectively over the village in the courthouse square, hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the historic landmark. The Owego Jayncess had floodlights installed at the fountain site in 1954 and the lighting returned Thursday night. Electric and plumbing was supplied to the site by Roy Legursky of Legursky & Sons for a new pump and lights that will illuminate the fountain from sunset to sunup. Judy Legursky, on behalf of Legursky & Sons, along with Hunter Morris, son of Owego Fire Chief and hose team member Jim Morris, flipped the switch and the lights brought the fountain to life in the evening air, dazzling onlookers.
Nichols Old Home Day, Labor Day September 2, was celebrated with a parade through the Village of Nichols, starting at the Fire Station on River Road and ending at Kirby Park. Due to weather conditions, the Old Home Day festivities at Kirby Park were canceled for the day. The annual chicken BBQ was moved to the fire station on River road.
The Baker Fireman’s Fountain, depicting a firefighter holding a child, is often described as the symbol of Owego and its community-minded residents, standing for the spirit of volunteerism that makes Owego great. The fountain was given to the Village of Owego and its firefighters in 1914 by Frank M. Baker as a memorial to his son, George Hobart Baker, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1913. Both men had been members and chief engineers of the Owego Fire Department. The fountain was last restored in 2000 and recently turned 105-years-old. A 250-person gala dinner was held August 23 at the VFW Post #1371 Hall on Main Street where special presentations were made to fountain restoration contributors in attendance. Grayden
Stanton was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the hose team for his work in raising funds for the fountain. Stanton, an elementary grade student at the time, rallied his friends to pitch in and help with the project. Other contributors and Baker family members, some who traveled as far away as Texas and Arizona to attend the festivities, were given an original brick and certificate from the fountain’s foundation. These bricks were manufactured from the Brick Pond in the Turtle Town area of the village and were in place for 104 years prior to the fountain’s removal last year for its restoration. The Beatles Band closed out Friday’s celebration with a cake made at What’s in Store shaped in complete replica of the fountain site. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
On Friday, August 30, the Nichols branch of the Community Bank was held up at gunpoint. Thanks to the quick action of the Sheriff’s Department and State Police, Adam M. Robinson of Nichols was apprehended and charged with robbery first degree, criminal use of a firearm, and grand larceny fourth degree.