The Walworthians: Winifred Pease
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Winifred K. Pease
April 01, 1999
Winifred K. Pease is a quiet, faithful woman and one of the people in our neighborhood. She was recently honored by the United Methodist Church of Walworth as their Volunteer Lay-person of the Year.
Each Methodist church in the Rochester District elects one of its members to receive the honor and be recognized during a special banquet. The first recipient from the United Methodist Church of Walworth was Helen Schultz, followed by Bernie Porray, Gerry Lonneville and Jessie Keymel (1998).
In a tribute her church put together to honor her during the banquet, Dorothy Secora said: “Winnie is a quiet, faithful woman who leads others to Jesus.”
When I asked Pastor Anne O’Connor to tell me about Winnie, she said, “I second the tribute to Winnie being a quiet woman of faith.”
Gerry Lonneville, the church secretary, said, “She is one of our most, dedicated and faithful members. She’s a real worker!”
It’s not hard to see why Winnie Pease was elected to receive the award this year. Among the many offices and activities she has experienced during her 41 year membership in the Walworth congregation are: financial secretary; church Treasurer for 25 years; Administrator of the Executive Council for 12 years; participates in the choir, the United Methodist Women’s Society and the Couples Class.
Her professional career as a teacher includes four years of teaching in Nunda, nine years of teaching in Webster and then retiring after 16 years of substituting at the Walworth Elementary School.
When Winnie was teaching in Nunda, a colleague invited her home and introduced Winnie to her brother. His name was john and he became Winnie’s husband. Winnie and John have one son, Christopher. He is an LPN and Massage Therapist in Rochester.
Since moving to Walworth in 1958, Winnie agrees there have been many changes in our town.
“When we moved here, it was a rural, farming community,” she said. “We could see more and more people coming, especially with Gananda and Xerox. Just on my street alone, there is only one family still here from when we moved in.”
“I guess it’s the changing of the guard,” she said a bit philosophically. “The old guard dies off and the new moves in.”
She noted that when they moved in Brockman’s Grocery was in town, the Fire Hall was at the foot of Orchard Street, the Grange still owned their building and even had meetings upstairs, the Post Office was on the corner of Main Street and Walworth-Marion Road. The Walworth Hardware Store was Jack Wick’s and next to it was Youngman’s Variety Store complete with a soda fountain.
“People move here for the rural atmosphere,” Winnie said. “I think the town is doing a good job of trying to preserve green spaces, so we can all enjoy our rural community.”
Winnie isn’t real excited about the architecture of the new Walworth Town Hall, but thinks having one place for the library, town offices, police and other organizations is a good idea. She sees where having a family oriented YMCA, too, would complement the active recreation program we already have.
Thank you, Winnie, with all of your varied interests from church activities, to teaching, to Concerts in the Park and community evolvement, you are truly a Walworthian with the accent on worth.
2018 Up-Date:
Winifred Adele (Knight) Pease
“Winnie”
Walworth: 9/3/16, 95. Peacefully at home after a short stint with pancreatic cancer. Born at home 6/9/21 in Cato, N.Y. to Dr. Harold Fuller & Cora Carter Knight. Predeceased by her husband, John Norwood Pease, parents, formerly of 200 Brooks Avenue, Rochester, N.Y., brother Dr. Harold Fuller Knight, Jr., nephew Harold Christopher Knight, sister Millicent Roberta Wickman. Survived by son Christopher John, 59, of Walworth, N.Y., 11 nieces & nephews, several grand & great-grand nieces & nephews, special great-grandniece lmara Elizabeth Stevenson, 5, of Madagascar Island, E.A., cousins, and close cousin Lucille Heck of Alton, N.Y. #37 school, West High ’39, Geneseo State Teacher’s College ’43. Arethusa Sorority. Taught in Nunda, Webster & Wayne Central schools, retiring in 1982. 58 year member Walworth United Methodist Church, serving over the years as secretary, treasurer, and alto section choir member. Gifted pianist & organist. Active member of Women’s Society (famous for her pies!), and was Aldersgate class’s Sunshine Lady until July. Winnie & John enjoyed travelling together and separately. After John’s death in 2005, she was a frequent traveler up until she turned 93.
Winnie’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 24th, at 1 P.M. at the W.U.M.C., corner Main & Church streets, Walworth, with Pastor Jaque Ruth officiating. Reception to follow in the Friendship Room. At Winnie’s specific request, in lieu of flowers please donate in her name to either the Arethusa Sorority, Gamma Chapter, State University of New York, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, N.Y. 14454, or the W.U.M.C. Furnace Fund, 3679 Main Street, Walworth, N.Y. 14568. Cremainment at the convenience of the family this summer Springbrook Cemetery, Sterling, N.Y. Arrangements entrusted to Steven’s Funeral Home, Marion, N.Y.
Published in Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on Sept. 18, 2016
The Walworthians: Lemonade Society
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Making Lemonade for 10-Years!
September 19, 2002
The Wayne Area Low- to No-Vision Support Group a.k.a. The Lemonade Society is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this month.
“When a spouse or partner experiences vision loss, both people are likely to face many emotional and practical, challenges,” said Carol Sussman‑Skalka of Lighthouse International. “For those with vision loss, vision rehabilitation services can make a difference in regaining control over their lives. While their sighted partners often are their most steadfast allies, they also undergo a significant life change and face many difficulties of their own. Both can feel isolated, and at a loss as to what to do and how to help each other.
“Support group programs can offer opportunities to meet others in similar situations to share concerns, clarify feelings, receive support, compare solutions, get information, as well as learn about resources that can help them cope with, and better understand their situation.”
(Paraphrased From: Programs for Partners of People with Impaired Vision by Carol J. Sussman‑Skalka, CSW, MBA and Verena R. Cimarolli, PhD Lighthouse International)
The first meeting of the Newark Low-Vision Group was in September, 1992. It was held in the Board Room of the Newark Public Library from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M.
Amy Tolle, the former Out-Reach Co-Ordinator at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, started two support groups for adults with low- or no vision. One group was in Phelps and the other was in Newark.
The Charter Members in Newark were: Florence DeClark, Millie Cummings, Leah Young, Leah Wright, Mickey Villani and Rose Clark. Kate Chamberlin began as facilitator in November, 1992.
The Phelps members became known as the Lemonade Auxiliary and attended meetings and activities with the Newark-based members. The Lemonade Chat Room first began November, 1996 to continue giving support to two Charter Member Lemonaders and other residents of the Wayne County Nursing Home.
Our newsletter is called The Lemon Peel. Its regular features are Thinking Of You, Kudos To, What’s Cooking (at the next meeting), What’s on the Back Burner (meetings and events we’re planning), Lemon Squeeze (special birthday or person to call that month), and member contributions such as Millie’s Musings, Alma’s Axioms, A Moment With Mickey and Kate’s 2-Cents. The first issue was in July, 1993. The Lemonade Chat Room news was added in November, 1996. Several of our members now receive the Lemon Peel via e-mail.
Throughout the years we have had such speakers as Marilyn Longhouse, NLS; Mark Guillette, Office of the Ageing; Amy Tolle, ABVI; Pat Stalker, NLS; Dr. Kornfeld, of Pearl Vision; Dorothy Green, ABVI-Goodwill director of Services; Jack Griffith, of the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped a division of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, Susanne Lederer, the Mobility Counselor with the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped a division of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
Some of our outings have been to have lunch during an Erie Barge canal boat ride, picnic at Foreman State Park, pot luck picnics at Kate Chamberlin’s home, brunches at Osmond’s, Taranwould Country Club, Stevinos at the Newark Country Club, Perkins, DaDa’s, Bridge Tavern, Macedon Hills and Cross Park Restaurant, annual old-fashioned picnics with the Lemonade Chat Room and several meetings at the Armstrong Senior Living center, as well as attending the described performances at the GEVA Theater and sharing DVS videos.
Some of our themes have been: Coping Strategies, Sharing Medical information and Doctor Attitudes, the best Christmas past, your favorite spring flower, Do you remember a special valentin?, What toys did you play with?, What is your earliest memory?, a whistling Fest, various exercises to stay healthy and flexible, as well as numerous discussions of topics and issues brought before the Lemonaders.
All wayne Area adults who are legally blind, blind or losing their eye sight are invited to join us for round-table discussions about adaptive aids and techniques, physicians, home-care, emotional support and many other eye related topics.
No reservation is needed for the regular monthly meeting, which is held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 11:00-12:30 PM. Places may vary, but we are based at the Newark Public Library, 121 High Street, Newark, NY. if you’d like more information or directions to the Newark library’s handicap entrance, please call: Mrs. Kate Chamberlin at (315)986-1267 or the library at (315)331-4370.
2018 Up-Date: The Lemonade Society went on for another 5 or so years holding regular meetings, then, due to transportation issues, we met via telephone calls to chat with each other. Agencies stopped referring members and the Lemonade Society held in the Newark Public Library and the Lemonade Society Auxiliary held in the Newark Nursing Home faded into the sunset. At the time, it was the longest running support group in Wayne and Monroe Counties.
The Walworthians: All Stitched Up
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Personalized Items
August 15, 2002
Shopping causes quite a dilemma for me. It’s too frustrating for my husband to take me. I want to feel everything and insist that he describe what ever I’m touching. It takes a lot of time and, if we have our two little ones with us… well, it’s just too much to make it an enjoyable outing. Most of my shopping is now done through catalogues.
When I learned more about All Stitched Up, the new business in Walworth, I ordered a personalized hat for each of our five grandchildren, who range in ages from 12- to 2-years old. Then, I had second thoughts about it.
“But, they’re baseball caps,” I said to my husband one muggy evening after dinner. “They’re fine for the two boys, but do you really think the three girls will like them?”
“Their own name is on the front,” he said. “Why wouldn’t they like them?”
“Well, “ I sighed, “they’re not very feminine.”
“That doesn’t matter anymore,” he sniffed.
“Little girls used to wear frilly underpants,” I parried. “There would be one for each day of the week — the day would be embroidered on the bottom. Sunday panties would be the frilliest of them all!”
“Let me enlighten you about today’s girls,” he retorted, “I see a lot of them leaving the mall as I’m arriving to mop the floors. “They wear scant clothing and most have a little butterfly tattooed on their shoulder; a heart on their over-exposed breasts; a rainbow on their midriff; and wreaths around their ankles. They wear pierced jewelry on all the pieces and parts of their exposed body. They’re in tube tops and the shortest of shorts.”
“But,” I huffed, embarrassed about how far out of date 17-years of being blind had made me, “they could only tattoo two days of the week! What would they do for the other five days?”
Without a comment, he kissed my cheek and went outside to let our little ones run through the butterfly sprinkler.
The following week, we gave the hats to our five grandchildren. The gals at All Stitched Up had done a wonderful job of choosing the hat colors and using a cool, contrasting color to embroider the name on each hat. The hats were good quality to begin with and the price was affordable.
As each of the older children found their name, we adjusted the fit. They loved their new hats. They wouldn’t take them off for dinner and insisted on wearing them to bed. In the morning, amidst the tangle of sleeping bags, pillows and hats, there was no squabbling about which hat belonged to whom — their name was clearly visible.
Perhaps this is a solution to my shopping dilemma. I wonder what we can embroider initials on for Christmas?
NOTE: for more information about All Stitched Up, phone Donna Klaeysen at (315)986-1227 or Nancy Johnston at (315)986-1537.
2018 Up-Date: Donna has retired from “All Stitched Up”, but, Nancy is still in business.