In the interest of accuracy and limitation of time, we are providing the presentation by Mr. Schmitz on video. Thank you!
David and Marissa Troxell (left) with the students of Kolinieri School and Kerry Ann Frost from the Camberwell, Melbourne Australia Rotary Club Jim Smith introduced our speakers, David and Marissa Troxell. David has been a Jamestown Rotarian since 2011. David and Marissa were recognized in 2016 as Rotarian of the Year for their work traveling the world making sure our Rotary Club stays involved in international projects. They have a long history of philanthropy and project planning. They live in Cha Am, Thailand in the winter.
David and Marissa are reporting back on the 2019/20 Project in Tanzania. The Club does international projects representing about 40% of the Club’s philanthropic activities.
Here is a history of projects David and Marissa have brought to the Club, and have personally overseen:
2014
Cambodia Academy school yard grass and classroom white boards.
Women’s Weaving Project as a 3 year project in cooperation with the Jawalakehl Rotary Club in Katmandu, Nepal.
2015
School wide eye screening at Cambodia Academy. 18 children needed glasses and got them.
Book drive for the Cambodia Academy
2016
Clean water filtration system for Cambodia Academy
2017
New toilet and freshwater cistern in partnership with the Rotary Club of Yangon, Myanmar
2018
Upgraded toilets and washing areas for Cambodia Academy
2019
Cooperative project with the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Saint Michael’s diocese, Addis Ababa to build a school cafeteria for their hot lunch program.
Repair and replace classroom desks and benches at Cambodia Academy.
2019/2020
Combined project in Moshi, Tanzania for clean toilets and clean hands at the Kaloleini Primary School. Rotary Clubs of Jamestown, Camberwell, Australia and Moshi, Tanzania.
The Troxells flew to Tanzania through Nairobi Kilimanjaro airport, where they said a prayer for Dr. Tim Grace who passed away last summer while on a climb there.
They were hosted by Kerry Ann Frost from Camberwell, Australia and Ally Ramadhani who lives in Moshi. These two run an organization, Team Vista, which works with the Kaloleini Primary School.There is a Rotary Club in Moshi which oversees the funding. The Troxells noted that Rotary has a significant presence in Tanzania, with many projects and the Rotary emblem is often seen.
The Troxells had excellent pictures documenting their trip. Moshi is a town with a couple of blocks of city buildings surrounded by a network of markets and primitive housing. There is a creek that runs through the town and is the source of water for many. Two dominant religions are Muslim and Roman Catholic. The area around the school is very primitive. There is a garbage dump nearby where people pick through the trash and children help.
The school is pretty basic. There is no electricity. The rooms are filled with desks or benches. The Troxells noted that students develop a real allegiance to the school because it is so much better than their home life. All kids have uniforms, and the school is clean and provides regular meals. In the school cafeteria, food is prepared over a fire made of sticks. The kids really practice English. The administration really pushes it, because it means advancement.
When David and Marissa arrived there were 24 toilets with steel doors. These were simply dry drop latrine pits in the floor with no water. The Troxells provided insets-flanges to put over latrines. Water was plumbed into each one.
The Troxells took a three day camping sightseeing trip to the Mgorogoro Crater game park, Olduvai Gorge where Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery and the Serengeti National Park and had quite a marvelous adventure documented by more wonderful pictures.
Returning from their trip, their focus turned from toilet improvements, which was now complete, to the washing house area, which was a totally new structure. The concept is to have the children go straight out of toilets, through two doors (for boys and girls) to washing areas where there is a line of a dozen or so water taps and soap bags. This is to reduce cases of diarrhea and diseases caused by parasites which kill later in life. Marissa and David helped with construction. 
Students washing in the new hand washing area in Moshi
While there, Marissa and David sponsored a girl, Maria, so she could continue to go to school. They also sponsored a boy, Mustafa. Anyone can sponsor a child for $175 a year, just contact Marissa.
Questions and Answers
What do you eat and drink on your trips? We drink bottled water and eat local food. You do get sick once in a while. It is wonderful to be a part of Rotary projects, because local Rotarians invite you over for meals. On this trip, we ate a lot of goat.
What kind of injections did you get? Just the regular, but also Malaria pills including a month and a half after. Marissa says she thinks in the future she will be getting rabies vaccines as a precaution.
What’s next for you? The Troxells have been invited to the Millennial Sunrise Rotary of Karachi, Pakistan has an interesting project, but who knows what the travel hurdles will be.
Geof Follansbee, Vice President of Advancement at Chautauqua Institution, speaks to Jamestown Rotary via Zoom.Rotarian Jim Smith introduced Geof Follansbee. Geof has worked at Chautauqua Institution since 2004, leading the fund-raising program. He has also served as CEO of its Foundation. However, now he is leading an expanded advancement team for the next comprehensive campaign coinciding with the 150th anniversary of Chautauqua. It will be the 2023-24 fund-raising campaign. In his career before 2004, Geof led development and alumni relations and communications teams at William & Mary College, as well as other institutions of learning. Geof was raised in Pittsburgh, but has spent all his summers at Chautauqua. He worked for Chautauqua Executive Joe Gerace after graduating from Princeton and practiced law in Chautauqua County in the early 1980’s.
Geof has spoken to Rotary before, probably 15 years ago when he had just moved back to Chautauqua County. He recognized Pat Kinney in the audience and also counted Sam Alessi as a friend. He recounted a humorous (in retrospect) story about a plane trip that he and Stan Lundine took with Sam when Stan was running for Congress.
Today’s talk is about this summer at Chautauqua, putting it in the context of Chautauqua’s strategic plan. When it became apparent that it would not be “business as usual” at Chautauqua, the group went back to the roots of the Strategic Plan to review what it is calling upon the organization to do. It has 4 key elements.
- Continue to provide a 1st class experience on the grounds during traditional season
- Find ways to expand beyond 9 weeks, taking better advantage of the facilities, with programming both at Chautauqua and in other locations
- Enter into a local coalition for Chautauqua Lake, ensuring that the Lake becomes a vital, environmentally safe, living lake
- Diversify revenue sources. Traditionally CI is heavily reliant on gate tickets and parking fees, so work to expand the philanthropic element and other lines of business, such as off season.
The pandemic caused the organization to focus on how can it reach out to traditional and non-traditional audiences. Literally in 90 days the staff put together “CHQ Assembly”. It is the on-line expression of what Chautauqua Institution does. It was “in the pipeline”, but now it came front and center. Otherwise, Chautauqua would have been “dark”. Financially it couldn’t survive the severe financial losses. Philanthropy would help fill the void, but there needed to be something to donate to.
For further information see the video at: assembly.chq.org .
CHQ went back to all its speakers and some performers and asked them to do their presentations on-line. It is original content. It is live and also “on demand”. Chaplains, devotionals, 10:45 lecture and 2:00 Hall of Philosophy lectures are all being provided. This summer is a test, so it hasn’t been widely marketed, but in the future it will be. This summer it is free, after the summer it will be $3.99 a month. Subscribers will be able to watch on smart TVs, not just on computer.
In addition to the lectures, there are other activities. The “Virtual Porch” is a live conversation so there can even be a discussion. Instead of the large array of special courses, there are 45 “Master Classes”.
Hopefully it will attract people beyond the present audience, and they will be curious after watching and become more involved.
Please go to the site, browse, see the lectures, and also check out the 5 pm artistic programs.
The Assembly recognizes that what occurs during the season here in Chautauqua County is the highest and best expression of the Institution. To compete, though, in the long term CHQ works to attract more people to the county and the grounds.
Q: Are there any programs or discussions at the Institution? No. The Board decided in May that it will not host any programming in person. Behind closed doors, the morning worship services are being done at Hall of Christ. Most all facilities closed. Those that are open are following cleaning protocols. It is definitely a minimalist mode. Probably 1000 people are on the grounds although there were more over 4th of July. It’s a very different feel. Currently Bestor Plaza is empty.
Q: How is the programming being perceived? There are glitches since it is a start-up. Also, Google was down for 4 hours. People are appreciating the effort. 4 to 6 hours of new program every day. This week’s minister is Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries, taking gang members off the streets.
Best Small Town Cultural Theme. USA Today voted Chautauqua County as the “Best Small Town Cultural Scene.”
Q: In terms of finances-did speakers take a lower fee? Is the cost down? Obviously travel costs are down, but all speakers are doing the same amount of work. They also join in for live Q&A. Additionally they are doing virtual “Meet and Greets” with the donors.
The initial investment was made by the board members. They underwrote equipment, the platform and production crews for the launch. Costs are obviously down because Friday night entertainment was cancelled. It is the largest cost and largest revenue.
Rotarians chimed in to thank Geof and through him, the staff, for the work that has been done. Thanks to the Chautauqua staff for making it a summer for families. The execution has been marvelous. Some Rotarians have been participating. Many are accessing more programming. The “on demand” is wonderful.
Editors note: I have to apologize as I was unable to transcribe many of the German words and places that Abigale mentioned in her presentation. I attempted to spell some but found it futile. So, some of the commentary will be generalizations and descriptions instead of actual German words, etc.
Cheri introduced Abigale, who was our Rotary exchange student to Germany in 2019. Abigale is from Lakewood, NY and is a proud 2019 graduate of Southwestern Central School. Abigale spent her freshmen college year at Hobart and William Smith and is now attending a college in Florida. Hopes to study abroad as well in the future. Her ultimate goal is to get into the culinary industry as that is where her heart lies. Makes sense since her family owns Ellicottville Brewing Company!
Abigale lived in a small Bavarian town south of Munich called, Bad Tölz. Bad Tölz is a town in Bavaria, Germany and the administrative center of the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district (Wikipedia).
Abigale mentioned the sunsets were amazing in Germany and the scenery is breathtaking. She spent her recreation time going to hockey games with her friends and a lot of time visiting scenic lakes in Germany.
When Abigale first arrived in Germany, she attended a two week language camp which helped to jump start her ability to speak German. It was a good experience and helped her talk with her initial host family.
Abigale enjoyed going to German school. Schools are very different in Germany. There are 3 different types of high schools - each at a different level. Some are focused on university, others on trade schools, etc. School day hours are also very different and the classes are different periods.
The school Abigale attended was the highest level. For most students in this level of school, in order to go to university, they have to take a series of exams covering many different topics in order to attend university. Much harder than the requirements in America.
In Germany, students only need to take 3 years of college. And students cannot change majors once you get in. The cost of university is very cheap in Germany compared to America.
Abigale’s first host family – family with two sons and two daughters – Abigale spent the year with two of the kids at home – other family members were at university. The first host family would take Abigale on hikes in the Bavarian Alps. She would wake up at 4am to hike and watch the amazing sunrise! Wow.
Second and third host families – I was not able to recall information about the second host familu, but her third host family – all the kids were boys! Abigale remarked that they acted like her cousins, which was a good thing! The family also went to Italy and climbed mountains.
Food/Culture in Germany
German food culture includes bread/butter/jams for breakfast – lots of bread! As well as different types of meat and vegetables.
In terms of culture, memorial sites for the Holocaust are important in Germany. Younger generations are more open to talking about it than the older generations are.
Abigale also attended the well-known Oktoberfest. While the worldwide impression of Oktoberfest is beer, there are actually a number of rides and fun for kids as well!
The Rotary Club Abigale attended was a male only club in the heart of Bavaria. It was interesting and different, but the members of the club were very nice and accommodating to her.
Abigale was also able to visit with Luna from Denmark as well. Luna was our exchange student in 2018. She stayed for a few days with Luna in February 2019! And, in March 2019, Abigale’s family came to visit.
She then returned home on June 23, 2019 and graduated with the local Rotary outbounds for 2019/2020 exchange year.
First off, Cheri recognized our outgoing Board members: Susan Jones, Denise Jones and Randy Sweeney! Thank you for your service above self!
OUR ROTARY YEAR
Well then. Here we are.
This year has gone by so fast that sometimes it has made my head spin! So much (and yet so little) has happened since our last recap at the Annual Meeting in December…
Here is a short summary of our year together since Past President Katie passed the gavel to me at the end of June 2019:
We started off with a bang with our Annual Golf Tournament in July, which turned out to be our main fundraiser of the year, raising over $7,000. Thanks to Phil Cala and Mike Bird and their excellent committee for starting us off right. These folks always do a spectacular job.
We then spent the summer scouting out locations for our weekly meetings with the Venue Committee, led by Sue Jones, with the help of Katie Geiss, Randy Sweeney, Russ Webb, and Lisa Goodell, and checking out the local Meat Raffle scene with the fundraising committee members. Unfortunately, we were not able to pull that one off, but we did have a successful holiday raffle, thanks to a group effort by Lisa Yaggie, Lindsey Alday, Kathy Burch, Michelle Jones, and Sandy Hatfield.
August was particularly busy for the Youth Exchange folks, saying farewell to Petra and Milko, who returned home to Croatia and Paraguay and best wishes to Sydney Wendell and Patrick Kelly as they headed off for new adventures in the Czech Republic, and Finland. We also welcomed Ana from Brazil and Paul from France, who quickly became part of our Jamestown Noon Rotary family. Thanks to all of the YE committee members for your support this year, especially counselors Hiroko Walters and Chris Anderson, and our perennial hosts – the Yaggies, who have now hosted upwards of 13 students for our club – as well as the Spillaines, the Bowers and the Masons, Kelly Dawson, the Wendells. Thanks also to all of you who indulge me with my reports of all things Youth Exchange. I am so proud and thankful to you all for your continued support of my personal “pet project”.
Camp Committee chair Randy Sweeney helped coordinate our annual program at Onyahsa with the Resource Center, and a few of us even joined them for their opening bonfire, which my granddaughters really enjoyed!
Our Social Committee did a great job this year, beginning with our Corn Roast in September and our Christmas party at St. Luke’s in December. They also made my dream a reality by resurrecting “Farch” with a Prohibition party on a snowy night in February. Thank you to Vicki Mc Graw, Kathy Benson, Lisa Goodell, Deb Kathman, Kathy Burch, and Stacy Hannon for bringing the club together “after hours”.
Colonel Vince Horrigan took over the reins of the Highway Clean-up committee this year and did a fantastic job of inspiring the troops to report for “Operation Trash Be Gone”. Well done to all who took part in that effort. You know “it’s a dirty job, but…”
We had another successful Red Kettle Drive this year. Thanks to Lynne Gruel and her team, who filled the time slots in record time! It is so nice to have our club out in the community supporting this annual event!
Thanks to Vice President Kevin Sixbey and the Vision committee for their work supporting the mission of the club far and near with projects abroad spearheaded by David and Marissa Troxell our “boots on the ground” representatives and local projects in coordination with the City and other local organizations. We can really be proud of the impact that our club has on our community and the world thanks to the dedication of these fine folks.
Steve Sandberg and the Vocation committee had great plans to expand the Mock Interview program this year, that were unfortunately stymied by the shut-downs, but I am really impressed by the number of you who were willing to give up a bit of your day to help to inspire our local students. Thanks too, to Kathy Burch, who helped me with my vision of the Rotary Why. Hopefully, it made you all think of your real reasons for being here each week. Thanks to those who were willing to share their stories. I think we all really enjoyed each and every one.
Diana Meckley has graciously taken over the reigns of the Literacy Committee mid-year and she has great plans. I hope that you will support her once she gets things up and running.
Thanks to Kathy Benson, who finished out the year as the acting chair of the Invocation and Song committee and to all the people who opened our meetings with thoughtfulness and prayer.
Thanks also, to our accompanist Lucy Miller and to Tim Edborg, Phil Cala and Vince Horrigan, our enthusiastic A ’Capella song leaders!
I am happy to report that our club participation in the Rotary Foundation continues to be very high under the leadership of Greg Jones and his lovely assistant Sue, who along with VP Joni have organized our monthly Birthday Table recognition in support of the Foundation. We have not been able to award all our Paul Harris Fellows this year, due to our inability to meet in person, but they will resume once Dr. Jones is “up and running” again!
I would like to take a minute to recognize a person who has been extremely valuable to the RCJCSF since its inception. Christy Brecht has graciously continued as the Treasurer of the RCJCSF since she ‘retired’ from her previous position as Club Treasurer. While she has not been able to join us in person as much lately due to her increased work responsibilities, she has continued her connection to the club through her various duties of tracking and maintaining our Foundation’s funds. Christy has decided to step down from the position of RCJCSF Treasurer this year. Her replacement will be announced soon, but in the meantime, I would like to offer her our thanks for her many years of quiet service for this particularly important responsibility.
Thank you to Sue Jones, Chris Anderson, and the rest of the Communications Committee for keeping us and the community informed about Club events throughout the year. Your timely “Rotarily Yours” reports have been especially valuable during recent months while we have been apart. I have to say that I haven’t missed having my photo taken every week, but I do know that your work has been recognized throughout the community if the number of times that people mentioned seeing me there are indication!
I would be remiss if I did not mention the Club Service committee, chaired by Norm Merrill. Although they have not been able to greet us and make sure that our room is ready for us every week as they did when we are together, we know that they will be there for us when we return, making sure that everything is in order. Norm has been under the weather during the past few months, and has also not been able to join us online, but I want to send a message of thanks to him and his committee members for all that they have done for us earlier in the year.
I cannot say enough about the Program Committees hard work – especially during these past three months. Becky Robbins and her crew have done a fantastic job of bringing us interesting and engaging speakers every week. I cannot say enough about the ways that they reach out to the community and educate us all about things that matter. I do have to say that I think the highlight of the year was the Jamestown “Tarp Skunks” presentation. It was awesome!
Many thanks to this year’s Board of Directors – President Elect Joni Blackman, Vice President Kevin Sixbey, Treasurer Russ Webb, Secretary Lisa Goodell, Past-President Katie Geise, Denise Jones, Sue Jones, Randy Sweeney, Lisa Yaggie, Chris Anderson and John Healey for your time and wisdom. It has been a pleasure to serve with you. Special thanks to Lisa and Russ for volunteering to check us in and take our money at all our meetings at the Dobuletree. These duties are not part of their “job descriptions” and we are thankful for their service!
Thanks as well to Katie, who gave me a great example to follow (and lots of extremely helpful guidance and notes) and to Joni who entertained my neurotic concerns and occasional complaints with calm and practical advice – I have no doubt that she will be a wonderful President for our club next year!
Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Membership Committee led by Randy Sweeney and co-chair Tory Irgang. Their commitment to instructing and orienting our new members is a valuable asset to the club. Their focus on the engagement of the membership of our club is so vitally important and I appreciate the time that they take to make our new members feel welcome and informed. I also appreciate their dedicated follow up and attention to attendance and participation. I am extremely proud of the fact that they were so immensely helpful in following up with each and every member during this time of quarantine, making personal phone calls just to check in and see how everyone is doing.
This was no small feat and I cannot tell you how very much I appreciated your efforts.
I can share facts and figures, but I will save that for President Joni’s annual report in December. Suffice to say we have done a whole lot this year! We have gained several new members and lost a few as well. I would like to take a moment of silence now for one, Misti Johnson.
Misti was a wonderful person, great friend to many, and fantastic representative of Rotary. Every time she approached the podium, she left me with something to think about. Her generosity of spirit and her wonderful wit were a blessing to the club and will continue to miss her.
Another loss for our club this year has been the resignation of Lucy Miller as our “Mistress of Music”. The club owes a great debt of gratitude for Lucy for keeping us in tune all these years. I have always enjoyed being part of a “singing club” and hope that the tradition can continue in some way, but I can honestly say that things will never be the same without Lucy’s accompaniment.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize an amazing achievement of one of our members who is actually here with us today via phone. 2020 marks Spud Erickson’s 50th year as a member of Rotary! His contributions to our club have been many and we miss having him with us each week. Although things have been difficult for him lately, he did tell Pat Kinney to let us all to know that although he misses us, ZOOM is just not his thing! Thanks to Spud for all he has done for our club over those 50 years – we appreciate ALL his contributions.
Finally, I am sure that there are some whom I have failed to mention by name, but I would like to thank ALL OF YOU for your support and encouragement this year. It has been my great honor to serve as your President and to get to know so many of you so much better. This year’s theme of “Rotary Connects the World” has been special to me in many ways, but most importantly it has been my connections to all of you that have made my life rich beyond words.
These past four months, in particular have been a great challenge to all of us, but I cannot tell you how very impressed I am of the quick pivot that you all have made to keep Rotary a part of your lives. Your adaptability and good humor during this switch to a new way of being together should not surprise me at all – you are ROTARIANS after all – but it has been heartwarming and comforting to know that our Rotary family is still intact despite the challenges.
I have one last thing to offer as I say goodbye to my year. As President of the club, I am given the honor of recognizing someone who I feel has been particularly helpful during my year of service. As I mentioned earlier, one of the things that our club achieved early on this year was the relocation of our weekly meetings to a new venue. The committee did a fantastic job of finding a new place to meet and working out all the details to make our weekly meetings at the Doubletree a reality. One person in particular had to figure out a way for us to take care of the weekly detail of payment to the venue. This person was instrumental in setting up the system for the credit card payments and transfer of funds each week. He did this fairly seamlessly without question or complaint (well, not many 😊) and also made it so that we can now pay our dues and make contributions online as well.
For his extra efforts this year, I would like to recognize our Treasurer, Russ Webb as the 2019-2020 Rotarian of the Year.
We did things a little differently this year, and I gave Russ his plaque earlier this week by having him stop by my house to “pick up” some paperwork. Thank you to Russ for your work as our Treasurer and for being such an integral part of our club. Congratulations!
There are many things that I had hoped to achieve this year that unfortunately did not come to pass because of the shut-down, but I have to say that I don’t feel discouraged, because I know that we will do great things together again very soon, and I can’t wait to help President Joni and the club continue our mission into the next Rotary year.
Stacey Hannon introduced Randall Perry, Senior Project Manager for CLWMA Inc. Randall works on a variety of lake and watershed projects with the Alliance members. He joined the Alliance in 2016. Prior to that he was employed at Fredonia University and also worked as a geological consultant. Randall also is a retired member of the US Armed Services. He knows all about service above self.
The Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Alliance evolved from the Chautauqua Lake Management Commission in late 2014. The organization was established for the benefit of all lake and watershed stakeholders.
The Mission of the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Alliance – Working in collaboration with lake and watershed-related organizations, municipalities, and other stakeholders, the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Alliance will promote and facilitate implementation of recommendations from the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan and the Chautauqua Macrophyte Management Strategy by prioritizing projects, securing funding and allocating resources.
The Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Alliance has worked on a variety of projects (56+) that have totaled approximately $6.33 million. Some projects include the Lucille Ball Memorial Park and the Mayville/Chautauqua stormwater study.
The Alliance consists of Board of Nine Directors, staff, committees, members and other key stakeholders and funders. Our very own Vince Horrigan, Col (R) is the Interim Executive Director, with Randall Perry as Project Manager and Taylor West as Communications Coordinator.
Alliance members include but is not limited to, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Villages of Bemus Point, Celoron, Lakewood and Mayville, Chautauqua Lake Association, Chautauqua Lake Partnership, Roger Tory Peterson Insitute, etc. For a full list, visit the alliance web site at http://www.chautauquaalliance.org/.
Randall gave an overview of the challenges facing Chautauqua Lake. They include nuisance macrophyte (plant) growth and harmful algal blooms. Both are major issues facing the watershed. These two challenges are caused by excess sediment and nutrient loading from the watershed and a buildup of phosphorous over time, which fuels macrophyte and algal bloom growth over time.
The Alliance is working diligently to address these issues by:
- Balanced approach that focuses on unity of effort and partnerships in the lake and the watershed
- Long-term and short-term planning
- Maintenance, protection and enhancement of the watershed
- Stakeholder collaboration for diversity of lake uses.
The Alliance also has worked or is working on a variety of projects, including:
- Streambank stabilization and restoration
- Stormwater management studies
- Green infrastructure retrofits
- Roadside swale improvements
- Education and outreach
- Land conservation and source water protection
- Waterfront access and amenities
- Wastewater management
- Data collection and monitoring
The Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Alliance also has committee structures as well to help it fulfill its mission. Some committees include:
- Lake Management – coordinate and collaborate about lake management issues.
- Watershed Management – recommend watershed projects for grant submission.
- Scientific Review and Advisory – provided recommendations to the Alliance board regarding Alliance projects.
Going forward, The Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Alliance will continue to use a balanced approach for lake and watershed management by utilizing current guidance documents; focus on unity of effort and facilitating partnerships for improved and responsive lake management; and collect/gather lake and watershed data to better understand and the manage the lake and watershed.
To see all of the wonderful and important projects the Alliance is spearheading, please visit their web site at http://www.chautauquaalliance.org/.
Stacey Hannon introduced Jeremy and Liz Gruber, who are personal friends. Liz graduated from JHS in 1998. She loves to learn and holds degrees in history, teaching, and a Masters in Library Science from JCC, Fredonia State and UB. In addition to owning Peterson’s Candies she is Head of Libraries at Fredonia Central School and mother to son, Jonah. Jeremy is also a local guy who graduated from Panama and has a degree in accounting from the University of Dayton. In 2007 Jeremy returned to Jamestown and the two met and they were married in 2011.Liz spoke first, about how she met the last owners of Peterson’s Candies, Chris and Steve Frankson, through the Prendergast Library where Liz was a librarian. She felt an immediate connection. They were so community minded and so hard working. Plus, Steve was a toy collector as is Liz.
A couple of years ago Chris approached Liz when she was director of the library in Busti, saying that they were selling their business, and would Liz and Jeremy be interested? At that time they declined, since they had their hands full with their family and jobs.
A year or so passed, and Liz saw Chris, who mentioned that the store was still for sale. This time, Jeremy and Liz really considered it, and prayed about it and decided to make a bid. Jeremy quit his job. So, Liz became a Mom, a librarian and a part-time candy store owner and Jeremy became a full time candy store owner. They have owned the business happily for a year and a half since December 2018.
Jeremy took up the story here. He remembers that in May of 2018, they drove by the store, with its candy canes out front, and he commented that, if he were to own a business, the Corn Crib would be the kind of business he would want to run. So they began to study the finances of it, and in October they put in the bid, and the sale closed in December 2018.
History
The Corn Crib opened in 1931 at the corner of 3rd and Pine in Jamestown. They sold mainly nuts and popcorn.
Emil Peterson started working there when he was 19. When he returned from WWII, Emil purchased it from the original owner. He wanted to make candy and so added candy when he became the owner. Liz and Jeremy showed some wonderful photos from the Jamestown location. Many people who went to Jamestown High School remember going to get candy and popcorn.
Liz talked about some of the products: the number one seller for Father’s Day is the Beetle candies (like a turtle, but that name is copyrighted). It is caramel, locally roasted pecans and milk or dark chocolate. Another favorite is Reception Wafers, one of the oldest and most trusted recipes.
Emil grew the business by adding candy and building a second location in the 1950’s in Busti, which was originally called the “summer cottage”. Early ads show that there were specials only at the Busti store, to encourage people to make the trip. He put the candy canes outside the store which have become its trademark.
The candy canes are all made in the shop. It is part of the Heritage collection. The rollers used in the process are wooden, and are probably 100 years old.
In the late 60’s the building in Jamestown was falling in disrepair. It was torn down as a part of urban renewal about the same time as Brooklyn Square. Between 1972-1973 the business was moved to Busti. Many of the trappings of the original store were incorporated in Busti, including the sign and the pendants.
Winston Frankson purchased the business in 1976 when Emil Peterson retired. He was Master Candy Maker for Betty Dixon Candies, but wanted to become an owner. When he retired in 1990, he sold the business to his son, Steve Frankson and his wife Chris.
When Liz and Jeremy bought the business, Chris agreed to teach them about using the molds and Winston also mentored them, because Steve passed away. Winston continues to do so today.
Winston built an addition to the building with a cooling room and cooling tunnel, speeding the production process. So, they still molded by hand, but the cooling was faster.
Chocolate has to be tempered. It is heated, then cooled, then heated again so there are no white specks and the chocolate has the shiny glean. Chris and Steve bought a pump for the mold, further speeding the process.
There is a story about the closing date in December. The day the business closed is Liz’s grandfather’s birthday. He was a toy collector of trains just as Steve was and had a real sweet tooth. So it was fitting that the closing should be on his birthday.
Liz and Jeremy hope to make their mark on the business by retaining the tradition of handmade candy, but modernizing sales and marketing where they can. There is room for growth electronically. They have a very active FaceBook page. Last year the web page was updated, providing on-line purchases. So they were able to provide chocolate over Easter by shipping it. This has been so important during the shutdown.
FLASH Until June 17, you can order Father's Day candy through their website for pick up on June 19 or 20!
Now that they are feeling confident in their production, they are also looking to expand candy sales at other shops, such as stocking it in flower shops.
Q: What percent of sales is chocolate? They estimate about 80%. It’s important to realize that 95% of the products are made locally.
Q: Why do Germans and Swiss have such a toehold in the milk chocolate market? Their chocolate has more cream, so it does taste different. American milk chocolate recipes are a little more bitter. It is intentionally mixed to have a “bite”. German and Swiss chocolate companies are now owned by large conglomerates and can afford advertising and marketing.
We are all looking forward to the day when we can stop by, peruse the assortment, try a sample and buy a bunch!
Stacey Hannon introduced Linnea Carlson, our speaker for today. Linnea is the director of the Jamestown Public Market since 2018. Linnea is from Frewsburg and received her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia and her master’s degree from Fordham University in Social Work. She reestablished the Dunkirk Salvation Army and food pantry and volunteered in Dunkirk before moving to Jamestown to work for the Downtown Farmer’s Market.
The origin of the Jamestown Public Market dates back to the early 1900s when it occupied the entire corner on Main and Harrison in Brooklyn Square (this author remembers walking with her Grandmother down the huge Glasgow Hill where Jamestown General Hospital was to help carry her packages back to the family home to the top of the hill on William Street). The selection of fruits, vegetables, candy and meats from all ethnic backgrounds was tremendous and mystifying for a young child!
The new market is held on Cherry Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets every Saturday from 10 til 2 from June to October. It is funded due to the largesse of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Thrift Shop.
Several new procedures will be followed to keep the community safe such as masks, face coverings, social distancing, and customers will need to assist in bagging their purchases.
Several new procedures will be followed to keep the community safe such as masks, face coverings, social distancing, and customers will need to assist in bagging their purchases.
Last year there were 232 food stamp transactions, $2600 in Double Up Food Bucks transactions, 266+ SPROUTS Children’s’ sales, with 6 seasonal vendors (8 this year), totaling 15 vendors, 12 community composters and over $10,000 in total SNAP, DUFB, Credit and SPROUTS sales.
Each week last year there were community events, that will or will not be taking place due to Covid-19 restrictions. These included outdoor Yoga exercises, 1K Fun Run, and the finger painting and music making led by the Chautauqua County Children’s Coalition.
This year the Jamestown Public Market is listed to receive funds donated during the Give Big CHQ campaign.
All vendors are local, and they produce honey, meat, baked goods, bath and beauty items and accessories. For every $1.00 spent at the market, $2.29 is returned to our community.
The Jamestown Public Market also runs the Jamestown Mobile Market which helps to address the “FOOD DESERT” which included almost all the City of Jamestown from Moon Brook Country Club to Camp Street. Most people in Jamestown live more than one mile from a store and many of those are Senior citizens and those with no vehicle.
On Wednesday of this week the Mobile Market will be at Silver Tree Apts. On Crane St. at 10am, then at 11:30am they will visit Silver Tree on North Main St. and at 1pm they will visit the Chautauqua Center. Anyone is welcome to purchase, not just residents or customers of those locations.
They have an older vehicle that is not very dependable, so times may vary. They load up the truck with fresh produce and set up a pop-up tent at the place they are visiting. They sell produce that amounts to about $1/serving. Some of the produce people have never seen before such as kale, orange tomatoes, and apples that are not red.
Sometimes, when there is time, Cornell Cooperative Extension will engage with community members and present demonstrations on cooking and preserving.
Currently they are participating in the Great Seedling Giveway consisting of herbs and vegetable seedlings located outside of St. Luke’s former Rectory.
All are welcome to purchase from the Market or donate to the Market and its programs by sending a check to St. Luke’s earmarked for the market or donate to Give Big CHQ for the Jamestown Public Market.
