1987

New York's Trees

We have just passed the time traditionally known as Arbor Day. This is an opportunity to remember our “famous” and historic trees.

In 1861 the nation was swept with war fever. Among the thousands that enlisted in New York State was a young man from Waterloo. He hung a scythe in the crotch of a tree growing in the yard of his parents’ farmhouse, vowing to remove it on the day of his return. He never did! The blade was left and the tree began to grow around the scythe, making the incident and the tree locally famous. The tree was recognized as a unique memorial to the war. The tradition of the scythe tree continued during WWI. This is only one story that reflects a rather unusual aspect of our natural heritage.

As a thoughtful measure to replenish and protect our forests and even our own yards, how many of us remember a time set aside (usually the last week in April or first week in May) to plant a “new tree”? Many elementary school children enjoyed a planting day at Fillmore Central School this spring.

I wonder if we have forgotten the appreciation of nature and our responsibility to the land in a society that no longer hold tradition as relevant?

Memorial Day 1987

On Sunday May 24th the Women’s Relief Corp and the American Legion sponsored a very patriotic and inspiring Memorial Day service. The program began at the church in Short Tract, and continued with a parade to the Short Tract Cemetery, where a ceremony was held at the monument. The overall theme was remembering and honoring all those who have died in various wars so that we may have the freedoms we enjoy, and so often take for granted.

Beginning with the pledge of allegiance all the way through to the rifle salute at the end, the program was truly a cooperative effort of the community.

Student Honored

The Houghton Fire Company honored Jeff Luckey at their annual Fireman’s Banquet on May 1st at the Houghton College Campus Center as “Outstanding Fireman”.

Jeff is a very active member of the Short Tract Fire Company and serves as 1st Assistant Chief and Vice President. While a student at Houghton College, Jeff was also a very dedicated volunteer with the Houghton Fire Company.

The recognition at Houghton cited Jeff for his years of service to both companies, his faithfulness to all the fire companies activities and the many fire fighting training courses he has completed. The citation also recognized Jeff for his training as an Emergency Medical Technician and his commitment to the Houghton Ambulance Squad.

In May, Jeff graduated from Houghton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology.

Hunting and Fishing - Behind the Scene

Conservation Officer Allen Mills is known by his fellow officers, the courts and the culprits alike for his ability to spot seemingly innocent clues and turn them into an arrest with solid evidence. He has been associated with Law Enforcement since 1968, serving 6 years as a State Trooper in and around middle New York State, until he moved and settled locally in Wiscoy in 1978, where he still resides with his wife and two boys.

Among his duties outside of looking for fish and game violations by checking ponds and woods regularly for those without licenses, he also is qualified to enforce Snowmobile Laws, with regard to insurance for road travel, and to enforce Air and Water pollution restrictions.

There is close cooperation between Al Mills and other branches of local law enforcement. This results in many cases where the officer actually making the arrest is a specialist, finishing out the work started by another officer. Thus Al may call in the troopers after he witnesses part of a rural break-in one day and on the very next day a trooper may call him upon spotting a Conservation violation, such as a loaded gun in a car. This works hand in hand with both facets of law enforcement. With today’s legal limitations, it can be important how a given case is handled in order to avoid evidence problems.

People whose behavior crowds the border of the Law frequently think Al is tough and hard nosed, but in his words “A lawbreaker who has earned his citation has a right to it and I will not deny that right!” However, people who do not have to worry about their tracks will unfailingly find him cheerfully helpful most all of the time.

Al does not say much about it until you know him well, but his is the only police job where the officer routinely stops an armed suspect. Al says this only rarely presents a problem. However, the situation does get dangerous occasionally. He has, over the years, collected a few stories which illustrate situations in which he has spend long, long moments wishing he had better anticipated the potential danger involved.

Many thanks to this dedicated and effective officer of the law. We wish him continued success in serving our community and appreciate his honest and unbiased efforts in protecting our property and wildlife.

Farmer Appreciation Day

This tribute to our agricultural neighbors was organized by Mrs. Mary Lou Luckey and held at the Short Tract United Methodist Church as a Service and social get together on May 3rd, 1987 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There was Gospel Singing and Praise Service; Morning Worship Service with Dr. Gordon Stockin who was raised as a boy on farms in Western NY; a Dish to Pass Dinner; and Special music as follows: Sophia Stevens at the organ and her daughter Dr. Dawn Mueckl on the piano and guitar. Guest musicians included: Diane Emmons who sang two lovely numbers accompanied by Mrs. Stevens; Arthur Rich, Belfast retired farmer and mail carrier, playing the accordion and singing; Mrs. Dorothy Tuller, Violinist from Rushford; and the Sylor family, Jim, Inez, and Michelle singing to guitar accompaniment. It was a wonderful community recognition of those hard working “tillers of the soil”. And interesting to note was a previous resident of Belfast, NY, Leon Guilford who had come from the State of Washington to visit his mother who is now in the Houghton Nursing Facility, and who related many happenings on the farm in this area from his growing up years. Everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously and hoped that this would be a yearly occasion to celebrate. The church is planning to do just that.

At the same time Winnie Austin gave a Dedication to the landscaping effort that has just been completed in front of the church. I am sure we will all notice the beautiful perennials and shrubs that have been planted along with a white flowering Dogwood tree. All this has been done in memory of Melva Luckey’s mother, Mildred Worden who passed away Sept. 2, 1986.

Back to Archives Page