Caledonia
Community
Business
School
Churches
The
Year 2000 much like any other in Caledonia
By Sally Santora
Clarion
News Staff
The
year 2000, hugely anticipated the world over, arrived without
much fanfare, certainly no dreaded Y2K computer tragedies. For
the Caledonia-Mumford community, 2000 was a relatively quiet year,
thankfully, nonetheless not without many memorable events. For
a look back at the Cal-Mum stories that made the Clarion News
headlines, read on.
Community
The local Masons, Eunice Lodge #830, celebrated their 100th year
anniversary with a grand dinner gala held at the Masonic Temple.
Many dignitaries from Masonic Lodges statewide attended.
Speaking of the beautiful Masonic Temple in the heart of downtown
Caledonia, the building was named to the National Register of
Historic Places, a prestigious distinction to hold.
The Big Springs Museum also received some attention by way of
a grant that provided a total renovation of the second grade room
downstairs and a new outdoor entrance to the museum off of Pioneer
Avenue.
United States Army Reservist Jay Ward was promoted to Full Bird
Colonel, after more than 30 years with the Army. Ward is now commander
of the 7th brigade.
The Livingston County Health Department studied radon levels and
listed Caledonia as one of the towns with elevated levels. The
health department issued free radon detection kits to property
owners and held a public meeting to educate people on what radon
is and how it can be removed from homes.
The community came close to losing one of its physicians and sadly,
did lose another. Dr. Vythi Alagappan of Caledonia Family Medicine
was nearly forced to suspend his practice here while awaiting
permanent citizenship. Going public with his plea resulted in
action from the INS, the green card was issued as was his medical
license. He continues his successful practice in Caledonia.
The community was deeply saddened at the sudden death of the founding
physician of Caledonia Family Medicine, Dr. Nicole Mazza. Mazza
had practiced medicine in the community since Dr. Andaloro's retirement
ten years ago. She was loved by her patients and is greatly missed.
The Caledonia Town Board voted to renovate the present town hall
on Main Street, as opposed to constructing a new building. The
decision followed a great deal of discussion among board members.
Plans are still being finalized for the project.
The Village Board turned down the initial proposed budget for
2000-2001. After restoring one of the village positions to full
time, the budget was passed.
Village board members Diane Fowler and Dean Manley were sworn
in as trustees; Mark Riggi returned to the bench as village justice.
Crescent Parkway and Grand Avenue underwent major renovation this
year that included installing new water and gas lines, digging
up the old road and putting down a fresh, new surface and curbing.
Caledonia's own Stanley Rychlicki made not only the local headlines,
but Rochester area newspapers and television stations were documenting
his story as well. Rychlicki, who logged more than 130,000 miles
walking the Atlantic Richfield Oil pipeline, was named to the
Guinness World Record Book. The community joined his family in
congratulating him on his unique accomplishment.
The community celebrated the 100th year anniversary of the erecting
of Soldier's Monument in the center of downtown Caledonia. Many
dignitaries attended a gala parade down State and Main Streets
kicking off a day-long list of events that concluded with an outdoor
Skycoasters concert at Washburn Park.
The Caledonia Fire Department elected Mark Schroeder as chief
and voted to end the over 50 year tradition of the Caledonia FD
carnival annually held the first weekend in June. The department
voted to host a field day event in place of the carnival. This
year, the department has voted to return to the traditional three-day
carnival. John Pike, Jr. is carnival chairman.
Mumford Fire Department elected Paul Caton as chief. The department
purchased a new fire and rescue truck last winter and is now preparing
to vote January 11 on a major building renovation and expansion
project.
In early December, a derailment of the Rochester and Southern
Railroad hurled over a dozen cars off the track on Rt. 5 west
in the Town of Caledonia. It took clean up crews several days
to remove the coal spilled from the cars but no one was injured
in the incident that is still under investigation.
Tom Cook announced just recently that he will retire from writing
his popular Clarion column, Caledonia Senior Citizens. Tom plans
to leave Caledonia at the New Year to live with his son and grandson.
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Business
A
management led buyout of CEN Electronics resulted in one of Caledonia's
oldest businesses becoming independently owned and operated. New
owner Vern Fleming assures employees that the company will continue
to expand and become more stable.
Les Cole, the man behind CRC Transload Facility, says he plans
to break ground this spring. The state of the art feed and fertilizer
plant will be located on Rt. 5 west in the Town of Caledonia.
It is the largest agricultural facility on the East Coast.
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School
Taxpayers in the Cal-Mum Central School District approved a $1.8
million building renovation project. Bids are expected to go out
soon, with work to begin this spring.
New York State Commissioner of Education Richard Mills visited
Cal-Mum. He held a discussion with the students about block scheduling.
In the May election, voters elected Susan Spencer, Randy Grattan
and Herbert ÒChipÓ Stephenson to the school board. Board members
elected Grattan as president.
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Churches
The
parish of St. Columba-St. Patrick's completed its two-and-half
year Renew process. Over 200 parishioners participated in Renew.
Mumford's First United Presbyterian Church raised over $60,000
to replace the original slate roof on the church with new Vermont
slate. The roof has a life expectancy of at least 100 years.
Mumford's First Baptist Church launched the Action Center, a Christian-based
after school program for elementary school children.
First Presbyterian in Caledonia celebrated the unveiling of their
bicentennial flags with the Kirkin' O' Tartan worship service.
The flags are handmade by members of the church, their tartans
representing the various clans that have been members of the church.
The Cal-Mum Council of Churches hosted a late summer hometown
picnic for the community. It was very successful and the council
plans to make it an annual tradition.
That's the way the year 2000 went in Cal-Mum. We look forward
to a joyous and blessed New Year for our community as we officially
begin the new millennium.
Happy New Year to all!
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