The Walworthians: Walworth-Seely Library
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Library
Walworth-Seely Public Library
Walworth-Seely Public Library; 3600 Lorraine Drive, Walworth, New York 14568; Telephone: (315)986-1511; FAX: (315)986-5917.
*January 27, 1960: the Walworth Reading Room opened with an all volunteer staff. The first librarian was MaryJane Bowdy.
*October 5, 1961: the Walworth Town Board passed a resolution establishing the Walworth-Seely Library to be managed by an appointed board of 5 trustees.
The first trustees of the library were: Lorraine B. Finley (1961-72), Doris D. Gardner (1961-64), Ethel Henning (1961-79), Esther Wesenberg, and Jay Taber.
*February 23, 1962: the New York State Board of Regents issued a provisional Charter detailing specifications of its operation
*March 16, 1962: the library contracted with the Wayne County Library System for exclusive service.
*August 19, 1962: the library officially opened its doors to the public.
*January 29, 1969: NYS Board of Regents issued an Absolute Charter.
*March 5, 1969: the building was sold by the Walworth Chamber of Commerce to the library for $3000. The addition was made in 1970 increasing the square footage to 1490 sq. feet.
*December 6, 1989: the library endorse the system plan of service of the Pioneer Library System. The Geneva Free Library is the central point of the system.
*November, 1992: the library moved to the newly built Town Hall Complex. The area was increased to 3200 sq feet of space.
Here are some interesting facts about our library the happened during 1994:
*42,600 items were checked out in 1994. This represents a 55% increase during the previous 5 years.
*The Busiest day was June 7, 386 items were checked out.
*The Slowest day was January 4th when only 23 items were checked out and then they closed because of a bad snow storm.
*As of December 31, 1994, there were 3,139 registered borrowers.
16,541 items of which 1,770 are books, 105 magazine titles, as well as a multi-media computer featuring the Encarta Encyclopedia and color printer. There is also an Ellison letter maker for patron use.
*The card catalogue was replaced in 1994 with a computer keyboard system that uses a light wand to scan information into its files.
*Book Jammers is a library club especially for children in grades 4 and up. They share reading interests, help with children’s story hours, explore the many multi-media facts of the library and assist in library duties such as gluing on labels and due date stickers.
*One evening a week, COMMUNITY PARTNERS: The Homework Place meets in the library. A homework coach is available to assist students with research projects or homework.
*The Current Trustees are George Schaller, Elaine Leasure, Tom Ormsby, Loren Rachow and John Cojan.
*Mary Perry is our energetic Head Librarian.
*Our friendly, experienced Staff: Candace Komorowski/ Clerk, Lorel Madden/clerk, Alice Reynolds/Sr. Clerk, Susan Hermann/clerk and *Children’s Librarian, Anthony Volpe/Page.
On the personal side, I was writing a ladybug story and needed some information. I phoned the library and they not only looked up the correct spelling of the Latin name for ladybugs but counted spots so I’d have the correct name and bug!
*The new Library hours are: Mondays and Wednesdays AM – 8PM, Tuesdays 10AM – 6PM, Thursdays and Fridays 1PM – 6PM, Saturdays 10AM – 1PM.
2019 Up-Date: The library has a strong presence with lots of information. Walworth – Seely Public Library Board of Trustees
Jessica Vance President
Drew Britt Secretary
Carol Dame Financial Officer
David Teetsel Vice-President
Vacant Trustee Position
The Walworthians: Normandy and Indigo
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Normandy and Indigo
It took a bit of nagging, er, ah, I mean, encouragement, but my husband has finished the patio extension and we can invite friends and family over for picnic suppers all summer long. It’s like a lovely, little courtyard…what’s that you say? Summer is over? It’s winter already?
Where did the time go? But, that would explain why we have put up our Christmas lights, the reverse painting on glass angel picture and have the dancing Santa on the credenza, not to mention all the Christmas carols on the radio! I wonder what’s new on the Keymel’s Christmas tree farm?
Normandy and Indigo are two baby Alpacas that were born on the Keymel’s Christmas Tree Farm this year. They, with two grown female Alpacas, are just four of the reasons Jessie and Roger are busier than ever in their “retirement”.
“When we got the two adult, females,” Jessies said. “They’d been shorn and were pregnant. Normandy was so named because he was born on D-Day. Indigo was born at the time of the Blue Moon at the end of July.”
In October, several of the alpaca farms in our area, hold open houses, so Cornucopia will learn more about the things that can be done with the colorful alpaca fibers in the fall.
Roger and Jessie have kept in touch with their relatives from Scotland and enjoyed entertaining them this fall by touring the Finger Lakes area.
Their annual newsletter announces: “The trees are trimmed, the tractors are ready to be gassed up and all the supplies have been ordered. The wet weather this year made the weeds hard to deal with but did not adversely affect the trees. We have a large selection of Fraser, and Douglas Firs.”
As usual, they can drill your tree for your special holder, but they also shake and wrap them for easier handling. Greens are available to customers who like to make their own wreaths and decorations. If you want to order a wreath or kissing ball, it’s best to phone or e-mail your order ahead of time.
If the weather is good on weekends, Whisper, a sweetheart of a pony, will be there for the little ones to ride. The main feature and fun, though, is riding the hay-wagon up the hill, back into the trees to choose your own perfect Christmas tree.
2019 Up-Date: The Christmas tree farm is growing well, as is the alpaca ranch. As you drive by, though, you’ll notice that there are a lot more alpacas. If another rancher needs a vacation or goes on an extended business trip, their alpacas come to visit the Keymels.
The Walworthians: Pam Bavis
The Walworthians
A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209
by Kate Chamberlin
Pamela Lee (Teeter) Bavis
b.May 10, 1947 –d. September 10, 2004
September 15, 2004
Our friend and neighbor Pam Bavis went home to Our Lord on Friday, September 10th at 12:02 PM. At the Pines of Peace, a comfort care facility for the terminally ill located at 2378 Ridge Road in Ontario.
Pam and Gene Bavis have touched many lives through their contributions to the Second Baptist Church of Walworth, Finger Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America, the Walworth Historical Society, and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, to name a few organizations.
It is bitter sweet to know that Pam died on their 38th wedding anniversary. Gene now wears the ring he gave Pam, on his little finger next to the ring she gave him those 38 years ago.
“It is hard to watch such a vibrant and loving person as Pam going through this ordeal,” Gene wrote in one of his up-dates. “She has been brave and is now with the Lord.”
A Memorial Service to Celebrate her life will be on Sunday, September 19 at 3:00 PM in the Second Baptist Church, Walworth followed by a reception. The family asks that folks donate to a charity enlieu of flowers.
2019Up-Date: Gene is re-married and they are both very active, especially on election days in Walworth.