3rd Edition / November 2019

www.dansvillechamber.com

Discover

DANSVILLE

Inside
This Issue:
Get ready for
r
Dansville Winte
in the Vill ag e!
See Pages 2-4...

SILVER SPONSORS:

DANSVILLERADIATOR Dr. Deborah L. Schafer

Orthodontics for Children & Adults Rogers and Tenbrook, Inc.
2 • November 2019 Discover Dansville

Chamber seeks information on

‘Winter in the Village’ activities
Dansville’s Winter in the about what they will be do- holiday extravaganza is
Village festival returns on ing for Winter in the Village packed from morning to
Dec. 7. so that the event or activity night with fun experiences
The Dansville Area Cham- may be included in the list for every member of the Submitted Photo
ber of Commerce is asking and advertising for that family.
a member of the Dansville Chamber Marketing Com-
businesses and organiza- day. Your organization or busi-
Area Chamber, although it mittee meeting, scheduled
tions to share information The one-day community ness does not have to be
is appreciated. There is no for 8 a.m. Nov. 14 at
cost for contributing your Wamp Real Estate, 126
information for Winter in Main St., Dansville.
Fantasy of Lights illuminate Church Park the Village; the Dansville Please be sure to like and
The Fantasy of Lights project will see 50 trees erected Chamber’s goal is to pro- follow Discover Dansville
in Church Park in Dansville. mote Winter in the Village and Winter in the Village
The trees are in honor or memory of an individual for the benefit of everyone on Facebook.
or group. All the trees are decorated differently by the in our wonderful communi- To learn more about the
sponsors of the trees. ty. Dansville Area Chamber of
The trees go on sale in mid-November at the village Please submit your event Commerce, visit dansville-
clerk’s office, 14 Clara Barton St., and are in place or activity title, description, chamber.com or attend its
Thanksgiving weeked. The trees are lit by Santa Claus location, time and cost, if monthly board or marketing
during a ceremony at the Church Park Gazebo as part any, via email to to millcree- committee meetings (first
of “Winter in the Village.” Caroling often follows. koptical.jenni@gmail.com, Monday at 7 a.m. and sec-
The project is sponsored by the Dansville Lions Club along with your name and ond Thursday at 8 a.m., re-
and the Village of Dansville. Submitted Photo contact information. spectively) at 126 Main St.,
You may also attend the Dansville.

Honored to be named
Livingston County's 2019
Small Business of the Year
Nichole Frank, Charter Partner
and honored to be the largest
Lic. Real Estate Salesperson
585-519-8858
Non-Franchised Real Estate Company
nicholeempirerealty@gmail.com in the Rochester area

‘Winter in the Village’ brings
festive feeling to Dansville
The annual Winter in the
Village festival brings the
holiday season to down-
town Dansville on the first
Saturday of December each
year.
This year’s festival is
scheduled for Dec. 7.
Submitted Photo
The festival featured craft-
ers and other vendors at
the Genesee Community
College Campus Center,
31 Clara Barton St., which
is down the street from the
Town Hall, 14 Clara Barton
St., where a craft and ven-
dor sale also begins in the
early afternoon.
Businesses will have sales
and specials throughout the
night.
There will be vendors on
Main Street and restaurants
will have special all day
and through the evening to
help visitors stay warm.
The Santa Hat Socie-
ty sells the last of its raffle
tickets and then it holds the
drawing at the end of the
evening for big cash prize.
Discover Dansville November 2019 • 3
Various choirs from the
Dansville Central School
District sing throughout the
evening, starting at the light-
ing of the trees in Church
Park at 6 p.m.
The park is home to
the festival’s “Fantasy of
Lights.” The Lions Club sells
trees to individuals and
groups for decorating in the
park. Some are purchased
to memorialize individuals,
some decorate them to hon-
or their families, and some Submitted Photo
groups decorate them to
parade follows a fire truck ny. The parade will begin
represent their group or or-
from the Dansville Fire De- forming around 4:10 p.m.,
ganization.
partment, 11 Franklin St., to and participants can win
Santa spends a big part
Dansville Artworks to pick prizes for being the best
of the day at Dansville Art-
up Santa and take him to holiday dressed. The top
Works, 153 Main St., meet-
the gazebo at Church Park three will receive prizes.
ing with children.
for the tree lighting ceremo-
About 5:15 p.m., a pet (Continued on next page.)
4 • November 2019 Discover Dansville

Winter in the Village
Continued from previous page.
The primary school chil-
dren will sing carols in the
gazebo either before or af-
ter the tree lighting.
Bell ringing for the Salva-
tion Army Red Kettle fund
drive will be happening in
front of the town hall.
Commemorative wine
glasses will be for sale
around 5:30 for those par-
ticipating in the wine walk,
which will include more
than a dozen businesses
on Main Street and the side
streets. Wineries, brewer-
ies, and distilleries will be
present to pour samples of
lots of great flavors. The
wine walk is from 6 to 8
p.m.
The High School Chamber
Singers will be wandering
around the street caroling.
The American Red Cross’
Clara Barton House, 57
Elizabeth St., will be open
for visitors to tour.
The primary school choir
will move from the gazebo
to the Genesee Valley Cred-
it Union balcony to sing af-
ter the tree lighting.
Windows will be decorat-
ed by businesses and the
high school art department
has kids volunteer to paint
windows festively for busi-
nesses who wish.
“Winter in the Village”
has been making holiday
memories for more than 20

K’s Canine Training hosts Santa for holiday event

K’s Canine Training Service, 10985 Route 36, will host Santa Claus from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Dec. 14.
Visitors can have pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, including with their pets.
Photographs are take your own and free, said K’s owner Kaylee Walker-Lohrmann.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus love meeting all the dogs and they drive over an hour to do
so,” Walker-Lohrmann said.
Walker-Lohrmann asked that those seeking pictures do not bring aggressive dogs. Submitted Photo
K’s is also collecting donations for Susieq Dog Resq. Drop-off boxes will be in front
of the business so people may drop items off at any time. Items sought include new or years. When the festival be- down the street, bump into
gently loved pet supplies, food, cleaning supplies or money. gan, the intent was to rec- friends and neighbors en-
This is the third year that K’s will be collecting donations for rescue animals. reate the hustle and bustle joying the evening, look at
Walker-Lohrmann also is working on having adoptable pups at the event. of old-fashioned Christmas the lights, and listen to mu-
“It’s a great time of year to give back to not only people but to our furry friends,” shopping on Main Street sic.
Walker-Lohrmann said. when residents can wander

Over 300 Units

of All Sizes
Video
Surveillance

(P) 585.335.2777
(C) 585.370.0733
(F) 585.335.2778

9384 Main Street

Dansville, NY 14437

Infusing Art into the Dansville Community
Dansville ArtWorks Inc., a
nonprofit arts organization,
operates a community arts
center and gift shop at 153
Main Street, Dansville.
The center is open noon to
6 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to
6 p.m. Fridays, and noon to
3 p.m. Saturdays.
During the “Winter in the
Village” festival, Dansville
ArtWorks is open extended
shopping hours and hosts
Santa (sponsored by the
Dansville Area Chamber of
Commerce).
Special programs during
Winter in the Village include:
• 10 a.m to 8 p.m., shop-
ping. Closed from 4 to 5
p.m. during the fire truck and
pet parade.
• Noon to 3:30 p.m., visits
with Santa.
• 5 to 8 p.m., holiday
baked goods sale by FitzPat-
rick Farm Market.
Look for new fall sessions starting in November!
EVeRY BoDY’S
YOgA StUDIO
(585) 944-2100
136 MAIN St., DANsVILlE
(Right across from Artworks)
Discover Dansville November 2019 • 5
Art exhibits, performing
arts events, consigned origi-
nal local artwork and books,
and art workshops for adults
and children are central to
Dansville ArtWorks’ offer-
ings.
Three successful community
arts programs are managed
by ArtWorks. They include
the Chalk Walk & ArtsFest, facebook.com/DansvilleArtWorks/photos
Fairy Doors of Dansville, and
the Fourth Friday Open Mic
Performing Arts Series.
Dansville ArtWorks lists upcoming programs
A schedule of upcoming activities at Dansville ArtWorks, 153 Main St.:
Dansville ArtWorks’ mis-
sion is to cultivate and en- Ongoing
hance the visual, literary, and Online Fall Art Auction, “Upcycled!”: All auction items on view at Dansville ArtWorks. Visit
performing arts opportunities https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/upcycled-8717 to place bids. Auction
in the greater Dansville com- ends Nov. 30 at 2 p.m.
munity. Winter Exhibit: Nov. 1 to Dec. 21. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, go
to www.dansvilleartworks. Calls for Art
com or Facebook/Dansvil- For specific information, visit http://www.dansvilleartworks.com/calls-for-artists-.html
leArtWorks, email dansvil- Upcoming exhibitions include: Solo Artist Gallery, artists desired for 2020 (March, April
leartworks@gmail.com, or and September are still available; Fifth Annual Student Art Showcase, January and Feb-
call (585) 335-4746. ruary 2020, open to all area students; Fifth Annual Juried Photography Exhibition, March
and April 2020.
6 • November 2019
Special events and workshops:
Nov. 8: Friday Night Painting Party, 6 to 8
p.m. $35 pp, $60 for 2, includes guided instruc-
tion by Melissa Gartz, supplies and wine. Reg-
ister two days in advance at Dansville ArtWorks
or https://squareup.com/store/dansville-art-
works-inc.
Nov. 9: Birdhouse Decorating Class, 11 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. $10 per person, includes guid-
ed instruction by Nicole Alioto and all supplies.
Register two days in advance at Dansville Art-
Works or https://squareup.com/store/dans-
ville-artworks-inc.
Nov. 16: Nanowrimo, 10 a.m. to noon. Up
your word count for National Novel Writing
Month! Use our arts center as inspiration to
achieve your writing goal. Coffee and treats
provided; free, open to the public. More about
Nanowrimo at www.nanawrimo.org.
Nov. 21: Thirsty Thursday Pour & Pour Painting
Class, 6 to 7:15 p.m. $27 per person includes
instruction in acrylic pour by Samantha Davis,
supplies and wine. Register two days in ad-
vance at Dansville ArtWorks or https://square-
up.com/store/dansville-artworks-inc.
Nov. 22: Open Mic Performing Arts Series,
6:30 p.m. Join us for the final event of the 2020
season. Featured performer to be announced.
O’Brien’s Septic & Portable Toilets
Trailers Available
• Weddings • Campsites
• Big or Small Events • Weekend Outings
• Construction • Ball Fields
• Golf Courses • Farm
Vacuum Pumping
of Septics
• Wed Closed
Repair/Installation
585-766-1221
585-335-9466
www.obrienseptic.com
Proud to be a Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise
Discover Dansville
facebook.com/DansvilleArtWorks/photos
Audience members welcome to participate fol-
lowing featured artist with family friendly perfor-
mances; please arrive early to sign up. Free and
open to the public.
Nov. 23: Wine & Wreath Making, 6 to 8
p.m. $45 per person, $80 for 2; includes guid-
ed instruction by Karen Specchio, supplies and
wine. Register two days in advance at Dansville
ArtWorks or https://squareup.com/store/dans-
ville-artworks-inc.
Nov. 28: Closed for Thanksgiving.
Nov. 29: Black Friday Midday Madness Sale,
noon to 1 p.m. Surprise discount punchboard.
Nov. 30: Small Business Saturday, 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. Shop from our wide selection of local fine
art and artisan crafts. All one-of-a-kind pieces.
Dr. Deborah L. Schafer
Orthodontics for Children & Adults
400 Washington Street, Wayland, NY | 585.728.3830 | www.disortho.com
Looking for a professional, gentle orthodontist in Wayland?
You’ll find that and more at
Deborah L. Schafer – Orthodontics.
Both children and adults can benefit from a straighter,
more beautiful smile, and orthodontic treatment
allows you to achieve it.
EARLY TREATMENT
• Crowding • Protrusion • Crossbite
Dec. 4, 11 and 18: Extending shopping hours
from 3 to 7 p.m.
Dec. 7: Winter in the Village, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A 50/50 raffle, with drawing at 8 p.m. Extend-
ed shopping all day (closed 4 to 5 p.m. during
parade). Visits with Santa from 12:30 to 3 p.m.,
free, sponsored by Dansville Area Chamber of
Commerce; Holiday Baked Goods Sale with
FitzPatrick Farm Market, 5 to 8 p.m.
Dec. 13: Friday Night Painting Party, 6 to 8
p.m. $35 pp, $60 for 2, includes guided instruc-
tion by Melissa Gartz, supplies and wine. Reg-
ister two days in advance at Dansville ArtWorks
or https://squareup.com/store/dansville-art-
works-inc.
Dec. 19: Thirsty Thursday Pour & Pour Painting
Class, 6 to 7:15 p.m. $27 per person includes
instruction in acrylic pour by Samantha Davis,
supplies and wine. Register two days in ad-
vance at Dansville ArtWorks or https://square-
up.com/store/dansville-artworks-inc.
Dec. 20: Bows, Boxes and Beer, 6 to 8 p.m.
Finish up your shopping and enjoy a beer tast-
ing! Free gift wrap.
Dansville ArtWorks will be closed
Dec. 22 to Jan. 1, 2020.
Winter hours will begin Jan. 2, 2020.
Mon/Tues/Thurs
8AM - 5PM
Fri 8AM - 1PM
CLEAR ALIGNERS
FOR ADULTS & TEENS
• Improved Oral Hygiene
• A Discreet Look

Helping Members with “Know, Like and Trust.”
You’ve probably heard
about people wanting to
know, like, and trust those
they do business with. And
maybe you heard how so-
cial media is a great way to
make that happen. After all,
posting to social media
brings out your business’
personality.
Ways the chamber can
help you get more
business
But some businesses have
difficulty being themselves
or simply don’t have the
time to dedicate to social
media consistently. Luckily,
social media isn’t the only
way to put a more person-
able face on your business.
Another way to do that is
through chamber member-
ship. Here’s how the cham-
ber helps members like your
business become more
known, liked, and trusted.
If you want people to do
FREE “It’s What We Do”
ES IMA
T TES
“Time Tested Since “1945”
COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • RESIDENTIAL
585-343-2400
Snow & Ice REMOVAL
(ON ALL TYPES OF ROOFS)
LOOKINGFORAROOFER.COM
business with you, they must
think about you. No matter
what you sell or what ser-
vice you provide, you won’t
do any business if people
don’t think about you when
they’re in the market to buy
what you offer.
Sure, there are moments
of emotional purchasing fu-
eled by driving or walking
by (how many of us actually
leave our house for Cinna-
bon? Nope, most of us
catch a hint of those deli-
cious flavors and buy on im-
pulse), but even in those cir-
cumstances of emotional
purchases, the buyer needs
to know what that business
CALL FOR A FREE
QUOTE TODAY!
METAL ROOFS
Discover Dansville
is selling in order to make
an impulse buy.
Even impulse items need
exposure to get sales.
Chamber membership
helps businesses become
more recognizable in a vari-
ety of ways.
These include:
Referrals
As the voice of business,
visitors and people who are
new to the area, often call
on the chamber for sugges-
tions. Best of all, these sug-
gestions are considered ex-
tremely valuable because
they’re not perceived to be
swayed by the business’
marketing.
Networking Events
The easiest way to get to
know more people is by
meeting them in person.
Chambers offer a number of
networking opportunities.
Some even help you be-
come a better networker.
Rogers and Tenbrook, Inc.
Building Materials • Industrial • Residential
Established 1925
Refresh your home for the holidays...
106 Shults St., wayland
(585) 728-5270
Fax: (585) 728-3521
Introductions
Your chamber wants to in-
troduce you to the kind of
people who will be helpful
to your business. Tell them
who you want to meet and
they’ll help arrange it - we
are always listening to mem-
bers.
Hosting
Your chamber also proba-
bly has a number of events
that could be hosted or
sponsored by your busi-
ness. This is the perfect way
to help people get to know
you better by visiting your
store or business or sam-
pling what you have to of-
fer.
Special Events
Our Chamber hosts pro-
motions such as Winter in
the Village, First Friday
Events and more. For our
businesses, these events
help to provide recognition
and important revenue.
Business in 2020
Come & see all
Benjamin Moore’s
Color Trends for 2020
including the
Color of the Year ~
First Light 2102-70!
19 Maple St., Dansville
(585) 335-2256
November 2019 • 7
They also gives them an op-
portunity to showcase their
offerings to potential cus-
tomers who might not be fa-
miliar with their business.
Sometimes the community
knows what you do but
doesn’t know enough about
you to trust you. In these cas-
es, a chamber membership
is invaluable. According to
the Schapiro Study, “Cham-
ber membership has consis-
tent and powerful benefits
for small business mem-
bers—if consumers are
aware that the small busi-
ness is involved with its local
chamber.”
In that study, they found
that if respondents knew a
small business was a mem-
ber of its local chamber, the
business saw a 49% in-
crease in its consumer favor-
ability rating (like), a 73%
increase in consumer
awareness (know), a 68%
increase in its local reputa-
(Continued on next page.)
Celebrating
95 Years in
Fax: (585) 335-2199
8 • November 2019
Know, Like and Trust
Continued from previous page.
tion (trust), and an 80% in-
crease in the likelihood that
consumers will patronize
the business in the future.
Chamber membership
goes a long way to helping
businesses develop a trust-
worthy reputation. Many
people see chambers as
business entities or similar to
the Better Business Bureau.
While neither is true, these
individuals apply the same
feelings of community mem-
bership and upstanding rep-
utations to the chamber
members as they would a
good rating from the Better
Business Bureau.
The chamber can also
help people trust you when
you choose to associate or
sponsor a well-loved com-
munity/chamber event. For
instance, let’s assume a
well-known event like the Ag
Dinner has a large follow-
ing, and your business is a
JACK’S PLACE
chamber partner or naming
sponsor for that event, the
reputation of the event
spreads to your business as
if you were hosting it your-
self. It improves the trust
people have for you.
We’ve covered how
chamber membership im-
proves your business repu-
tation but being a chamber
member can also help you
market the most trustworthy
parts of your business.
Here’s how the chamber
can help you amplify your
message. Likability is prob-
ably one of the easiest parts
of the “know, like, and trust”
formula for more sales but it
is also the one most busi-
nesses feel awkward about.
They often go about it
through social media and
their attempts to become
more friendly come off as
just being salesy.
Chamber membership
can help you develop genu-
ine, friendly relationships.
When that happens, it’s of-
Discover Dansville
ten because they haven’t at-
tributed the same skills
needed for an in-person
conversation to social me-
dia. Just like in a face-to-
face conversation, on social
media you don’t want to: be
boring; talk only about your-
self; blast your message; ig-
nore others, especially if
they’re asking a question
you can help with; say the
same thing over and over
again; be fake; or be one
way with one person and
something different with
someone else.
The ease of becoming lik-
able (or someone seeing
you as likable, because of
course you already are,
right?) in person is that you
can read your audience’s
nonverbal queues. If you
see them disengaging or un-
interested, you can change
the conversation back to
something they’re interested
in. You can tell if they’re en-
joying themselves and ad-
just accordingly.
LUNCH
Tues.-Fri.
11:30-2
DINNER
Tues.-Sat.
5-9
Getting more involved in
the social opportunities at
the chamber can give you a
lot of time to build on the lik-
ability factor. People must
first know who you are to
later be able to like you.
Multiple chances to meet in
events through the chamber
can make networking easi-
er and less awkward be-
cause you’re not playing to
an unknown crowd. You
learn a little bit more about
them–and they about you–
each time you meet.
If you want more business
and are struggling with just
how to do that, the issue
may be that people either
don’t know you, trust you, or
know you well enough to
like you.
Chamber membership
helps businesses be more
welcoming to customers.
Maybe you’ve been work-
ing on those things and try-
ing to humanize your brand
on social media. While
that’s a great idea, connect-
110 Main St., Dansville
(585) 335-3725
jacksplace1@frontier.com
ing online can be difficult
for some people. If you’re
one of those people, or if
you’ve tried connecting on-
line and it’s not giving you
the traction you’d like, con-
sider how a chamber mem-
bership may help you be-
come better known and
trusted–and thus liked–in
the community.
As another bonus, the
chamber may be able to
show you how to connect
online as well. While social
media may not currently be
working for you, that
doesn’t mean it won’t. The
chamber can help in many
ways.
You can always feel free
to reach out to the staff at
your chamber to understand
just how we can play a role
in helping you get more
business. The options might
surprise you. For more infor-
mation visit our website at
www.dansvillechamber.
com or by phone at 585-
335-6920.
 Discover Dansville November 2019 • 9

Battle Street
BREWERY
4 Battle Street, Dansville

Hours:
Thursday 4:00-9:00
Friday 3:00-9:00
Saturday 1:00-9:00
Sunday 1:00-5:00

Now on tap - 12 Craft Beers

all made at the brewery
4 Guest ciders & 6 Guest Wines
Side Car Menu ~ Have your holiday party at
Wings, flat breads, pretzels, Battle Street Brewery!
meat & cheese plate Warm and inviting atmosphere ~
Fun and friendly environment ~
Great Location!
Let us help you plan your Company
party - treat your staff
Family get together - share the
experience with your loved ones
Birthdays - Anniversaries
Reunions ~ Any reason!
For more details or to book your party, please reach us at:
Email: info@battlestreetbrewery.com | Phone/Text: 585-613-5745
Check us out on Facebook & see our monthly events & specials
10 • November 2019 Discover Dansville

Fifth annual induction ceremony

Dansville Central Schools,
in conjunction with The Foun-
dation for Dansville Educa-
tion, inducted five members
into the Dansville Wall of
Pride on Oct. 19.
This was the fifth annual in-
duction ceremony.
During the ceremony, five
influential members of the
Dansville community were
honored.
This year’s honorees includ-
ed Jennifer Welch Brushafer,
Jane Schryver, C. Arthur Sey-
mour, Paul E. Wamp Jr. and
Mike Welch.
The Foundation raised al-
most $4,000 from the event.
The money will be used to
promote teacher and student
creativity through the DCS
mini-grant program.
Housed in the Dansville
High School, the Wall of
Pride celebrates alumni, com-
munity members and educa-
tors who have made a signif-
icant contribution to society.
The categories of demonstrat-
ed excellence considered by
the Selection Committee are
education and academics;
leadership and quality of life
and community service and
philanthropy. Nominations
are typically collected in the
spring, with an announce- Submitted Photo
ment on who will be induct- The Foundation for Dansville Education inducted five members to its
ed made during the high Wall of Pride on Oct. 19. Those inducted were, from left, Jane Schryver,
C. Arthur Seymour, whose plaque was accepted by Dr. William A.
school graduation ceremony
Seymour, Jennifer Welch Brushafer, Mike Welch, and Paul E. Wamp Jr.,
in June. whose plaque was accepted by Tom Wamp.

Students collecting toys and more

Dansville Central School students will lead a “Fill A Bus” campaign during Novem-
ber and December.
Donations of non-outdated, new toys and clothing, non-perishable items that are not
expired will accepted wherever you see the bus.
The bus will be at Dansville Collision, 11 Spruce St., Dansville, from Nov. 25 to Dec.
2.
Then, the bus will be at Empire Realty, 202 Main St., Dansville, from Dec. 2 to 5,
and by the clock on Main Street from Dec. 5 to 9 during Winter in the Village. The bus
will also be at Dollar General, 27 Ossian St., from Dec. 9 to 18.
Dansville’s Class of 2020 is also doing a toy drive at the Daniel Goho American
Legion Post 87, 34 Elizabeth St., during Winter in the Village. Students gathered two
wagons full of toys during the school’s homecoming parade on Oct. 4 and will contin-
ue to collect through November. Submitted Photo

Forever begins down a country road for the

wedding of your dreams. Before you make
your final decision on where to hold your
rustic wedding or special event, visit us in
the beautiful hills of Livingston County.

Double M Schuster Barn is the newest event venue in

MOVIE MONEY & PASSES the area. Whether it’s the picturesque view from the
balcony that overlooks our rustic 30 foot white oak
$20 Movie Money • $10 Movie Money • $5 Movie Money bar, or the warmth of watching the sun set on our
75 foot deck, Double M Schuster Barn will help you
Can be used for Movies & at the Snack Bar! create the wedding day you’ve always dreamt about.
Also Available at Dogwood Floral Company We look forward to helping you
create memories of your special day.
144 Main Street, Dansville Contact info:
Movie Info 585.335.6950 | Management 585.739.3841 585-669-2803 • info@schusterbarn.com
 Discover Dansville November 2019 • 11

Edgar Schmidt lived, breathed Dansville

By Matt Leader
matt@livingstonnews.com
Edgar Schmidt was, per-
haps, best-known for his
and his family’s loving resto-
ration and operation of Star
Theatre on Main Street in
Dansville. But as a longtime
Rotarian, Schmidt’s commit-
ment to Dansville went far
beyond a love of cinema.
“Service was very import-
ant to Edgar,” said Jennifer
Howe, Schmidt’s partner of
eight years and a Rotarian
herself. “He lived by the Ro-
tary motto of ‘Service Above
Self.’”
Schmidt died Oct. 12 at
Strong Memorial Hospital in
Rochester. He was 56.
Friends and family assem-
bled at Schmidt’s Star The-
atre, 144 Main St., Oct. 19
for a remembrance.
The vintage theatre,
which first opened in 1921,
had fallen into disrepair
when the Schmidt family
purchased it in 1994. By
Photo Courtesy of the Family
Edgar Schmidt
2011, the Schmidts had
turned the theatre around to
the extent that it was named
Small Business of the Year
by the Livingston County Ar-
ea Chamber of Commerce.
Maintaining the historical
integrity of his family’s the-
atre was important to
Schmidt. In a 2014 inter-
view with the County News,
he went as far as to call the
theatre “home” and spoke
optimistically of restoring
the theatre’s stage to the
point it could once again be
used for live events.
“It’s one of those things
that was in the 10-year
plan, and 19 years later
we’re still working on it,”
said Schmidt at the time.
Schmidt was keenly
aware of the amount such
an overhaul would have tak-
en, but didn’t seem to flinch
from the prospect - so long
as the heart and integrity of
the theatre remained intact.
Schmidt was born in Syra-
cuse in 1962. In 1970, he
moved with his family to the
Loon Lake area of Cohocton
in Steuben County.
After graduating from
Wayland Central Schools in
1981, Schmidt joined the
U.S. Marine Corps. He re-
ceived an honorable dis-
charge in 1985 and moved
to Miami, then Orlando.
In 1994, the same year
his family bought the Star
Theatre, he moved back to
the Wayland area. For the return. RIP my dear friend.
25 years before his pass- My condolences to his fami-
ing, Schmidt worked as ly and everyone who (knew)
manager of the vintage the- him.”
atre. Schmidt’s family is asking
In the wake of his death, contributions in his memory
condolences and remem- be made to the Cancer
brances came pouring into Comfort Bag Project, PO
Schmidt’s tribute wall on the Box 284, Dansville, NY
St. George-Forsythe Funeral 14437.
Home website.
“His smile, humor and
heart were him. He will be
missed by many,” wrote Al-
ise Rounsville. “Even when
he was struggling he (found)
a positive. May his legacy
carry on through memories
and the theatre.”
“So very saddened to
hear of Edgar’s passing,
what a tremendous loss to
the community and his fami-
ly,” wrote Nancy Reigel-
sperger. “He certainly made
a great impact on many
lives!”
Photo Courtesy of Star Theatre
“What a wonderful car-
Fresh Batch. Star Theatre owner
ing soul,” wrote Wendy Edgar Schmidt is shown serving
Fairbrother. “He (gave) so popcorn at the theater in March,
much and asked so little in 2018.

Since 1994 Dansville Water Systems has taken your water

from unbearable to drinkable. As modern technology changes so do the ways your water is treated. We now carry a
full line of high efficiency water systems, and some of those systems no longer require a chemical injection any more!

Water Treatment Systems for Hardness, Iron, Sulfur, etc.

Gould’s Pumps & Tanks • Pool & Spa Chemicals • Goulds,
DryShod & Shadow Hunter Dealer • Propane Filling Station
Ben Beagle/Livingston County News file photo
The Star Theatre marquee as seen in August, 2016. *NEW THIS YEAR*
Dry Shod Boots • Trail Cameras • Shadow Hunter Blinds • Wild Life Supplies
DANSVILLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY NEW
WHERE THIS
KNOWLEDGE YEAR
GROWS
200 MAIN ST., DANSVILLE, NY 14437
PHONE (585.335.6720) • FAX (585.335.6133)
MON - THURS 10AM-8PM | FRI 10AM-6PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
WWW.DANSVILLELIBRARY.ORG 10150 Hornell Road • Dansville, NY 14437 • 585.335.9540 • www.dansvillewatersystems.com
12 • November 2019
Celebrating a century of supporting veterans, community
By Ben Beagle
ben@livingstonnews.com
DANSVILLE - There is
nary a space on the walls of
the Dansville American Le-
gion Post, 34 Elizabeth St.,
that doesn’t reflect the histo-
ry of service by the veterans
organization’s members.
A “Wall of Honor” in the
post’s foyer features 62 pho-
tographs of Dansville area
veterans who died serving
their country. The images
range from Pvt. Clinton
Kern, who died in Decem-
ber 1917 at Camp Gordon,
Ga., to Carl A. Mayer, who
was killed in France on
Sept. 4, 1918, to the most
recent death, Staff Sgt. Al-
exandria Gleason-Morrow,
who died March 22, 2017
while serving with the Air
Force in the Middle East.
Down a few stairs is an-
other wall featuring photo-
graphs of 80 post com-
James Carey, post commander, talking during anniversary dinner.
manders, including one
woman, Patricia Werth.
Eleven post commanders
have served more than one
term in the Post’s 100-year
history.
The walls of the second
floor banquet room are cov-
ered with banners, flags,
medals and photographs
from every branch of the
military. Elsewhere, the Post
showcases the Medal of
Honor awarded to Civil
War veteran Jerry C. Wall,
a diminutive private who,
during Pickett’s Charge at
Gettysburg, confronted a
much larger Confederate
flag bearer and, bayonet in
hand, demanded the flag
bearer’s unit flag.
A tin soldier dating to
1906 that once kept watch
at Greenmount Cemetery
was repaired and given a
new home to the Post home
earlier this summer.
And arguably the most
Ben Beagle/Livingston County News
Discover Dansville
Ben Beagle/Livingston County News
Members of the Legion pose on Memorial Day outside the post home.
significant piece of the Le- Livingston County.
Centennial year
gion’s historic collection can “For an organization that This year, American Le-
be found in the hall’s first has done so much for the
gion Posts around the coun-
floor dining area – the Post’s community and nation to
ty – there are about 1,700
original charter, dated July still be in existence after
in the United States - have
7, 1919 – or about four 100 years is incredible,”
been marking the centenni-
months after the national said Post Historian Bill Gil-
al of the American Legion,
American Legion was bert, who served in the Na-
the world’s largest war-time
formed. Daniel J. Goho vy from 1974 to 1978 and
veterans’ organization.
American Legion Post 87 has twice served as Post
was the first Legion Post in commander. (Continued on next page.)
9989 S. Main Street | Dansville
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm | Saturday 9am - Noon
Quality Pre-Owned Vehicles
Large Inventory, Cars, SUV’s, Trucks... | Woodtex Sheds In Stock & Special Ordered
www.dansvilleradiator.com | Call Jason 585.335.5070

Legion
Continued from previous page.
“One hundreds year and
still going means a lot to
us,” said Post Commander
James Carey, a Gulf War
veteran who served as an
electronics technician in the
Navy.
“What I love most about
the Legion is that you al-
ways have a family and a
home to come to,” he said.
“They believe in putting
family and home first, but if
you don’t have a family or a
home you can always come
here. Everyone here is fami-
ly; everyone always looks
out for everyone else and
helps if needed.”
The Dansville Legion Post,
has about 325 members.
When the American Legion
Auxiliary and Sons of the
American Legion are includ-
ed, the number of members
increases to more than 500.
Family legacies
Many members represent
Commander James Carey accepting a proclamation from Assembly-
woman Marjorie Byrnes, R-Caledonia, commemorating the Legion
Post’s 100th anniversary.
Discover Dansville November 2019 • 13
multiple generations of fami-
ly members.
Keith Griese has been a
member for 50 years, in-
cluding 30 years as ser-
geant at arms and former
post commander. Griese
followed his father, William,
a World War II veteran who
also served as post com-
mander, into the Legion.
“He is the reason I wanted
to join.,” said Greise, who
was an Army infantryman
from 1966 to 1969, includ-
ing one year in Vietnam. He
was Post commander in
1975 to 1976 – the Post’s Ben Beagle/Livingston County News
Champagne toast during the Legion anniversary dinner in March
first from the Vietnam War –
and again in 1996 to
member doing pre-algebra across the board. No one es in Europe. World War I
1997.
homework here.” ever talks about their war had just ended and the Le-
Griese’s sons, Shawn and
Shawn Griese noted that experience, but they under- gion was formed as a way
Shannon, are also mem-
the Legion was “always the stand that we are here for to support veterans.
bers.
place where we’d come for you if you need it.” The organization has con-
“I grew up as a child of
a community function.” tinued its support of veter-
the Legion community,” said
As a member, Shawn Supporting veterans ans their families, and advo-
Shawn Griese, who was a
Griese noted the great ca- cates for legislation at the
security specialist in the Air and community
maraderie among Legion state and federal level. One
Force from 1987 to 2002. The American Legion was
members. of its most significant initia-
“To me this was a comfort- organized March 15 to 17,
“It is good to have this tives was getting the GI Bill
able place. … All of my 1919, at the American Offi-
high school teachers were
place for our veterans to passed after World War II
have support,” he said. cers Club in Paris, France, which allowed a lot of veter-
members of the Legion. I re- by veterans from various di-
“We support each other, we ans to go to college after
have a place to go, have a visions of the American ex-
place where be supported peditions and military forc-
(Continued on next page.)
Finger Lakes Soaring Club
Come fly a sailplane!
Finger Lakes Soaring Club
promotes the sport of
soaring, for all ages.
The club provides scenic
rides and flight instruction
in Dansville, NY.
Ben Beagle/Livingston County News Forbes Road, Dansville, NY 14437
(585) 444-6213 l www.flsc.org
14 • November 2019
Legion
Continued from previous page.
they returned home.
Locally, the Dansville Le-
gion has been involved in
youth baseball, Scouts, and
Boys State and Girls State.
The Legion also awards
scholarships to graduating
high school seniors.
“There is endless commu-
nity work that we do to give
back to the community,”
Shawn Griese said.
Gilbert joined the Ameri-
can Legion after attended a
veterans outreach program
at the Veterans of Foreign
Wars. He was there to get
help with his resume for a
job search, but he also
learned that he was eligible
for the Legion since he
served during the Vietnam
War. (Because he never
served in a combat zone, he
wasn’t eligible for the VFW.)
Dansville Legion forms
From Dansville, 276 men
served in World War I.
Twelve of them died during
service, including three
killed in action.
On May 22, 1919, 39 of
Dansville area veterans met
at the village hall to petition
to charter their own Legion
Post. Dansville organized in
June and received its char-
ter in July.
When the Dansville Le-
gion was first getting orga-
nized, some wanted to
name the post for Clara Bar-
ton, who had started the
American Red Cross in
Dansville. Following a few
more meetings, the Dans-
ville Post followed others
posts and named itself for a
local fallen veteran, Daniel
Goho, said Gilbert, the
Post’s historian.
Goho was 20 years old
when he was killed in
France on Sept. 29, 1918,
among the first local casual-
ties of the war. Goho, a
member of the 108th New
York Infantry, died while
Discover Dansville
fighting in the Battle of Saint Marjorie Byrnes, R-Caledo-
Quentin Canal in northern nia, both read proclama-
France. He was initially bur- tions celebrating the occa-
ied near Bony, France, but sion.
his remains were brought Vogt praised the Legion’s
home in 1921. He is buried advocacy and efforts on a
in Holy Cross Cemetery. national level and local ef-
In its early history the Post forts on Memorial Day, Vet-
did not have a regular meet- erans Day and within the
ing place. The post moved community. He proclaimed
to its current location in March 24 to 30 as “Ameri-
1938 after buying and ren- can Legion Centennial
ovating the former First Bap- Week.”
tist Church, which was built Town of North Dansville
in 1852 and had been Dennis Mahus also shared a
abandoned for years. resolution that proclaimed
“I was so intrigued with March 15 and 17 as the
this place when I was a birthday of the American Le-
boy,” said Gilbert, the histo- gion.
rian. “We had veterans put- The dinner concluded
ting on breakfast, and I with a champagne toast in
wanted to be a part of that special glass flutes that com-
someday.” memorated the milestone.
Honoring a century
Members of the Dansville
American Legion celebrat-
ed the Post’s 100th anniver-
sary with a dinner in March.
Mayor Pete Vogt, a Legion
member and past com-
mander along with his fa-
ther, and Assemblywoman Ben Beagle/Livingston County News
For all of your collision and automotive repair needs!
Bridgett C. Hoag
Office Manager
Mill Creek Optical
has Ski Goggles for the whole family!!
Great Christmas Idea Too!
585.335.7700
Fax: 585.335.5446
Buffalo Bills Oakley Sunglasses
Other teams available. Christmas: Done!
dansvillecollision@gmail.com
Stop by Mill Creek Optical in Dansvillle
Livingston County Small Business of the Year 11 Spruce Street & 14 Ossian Street
Dansville, NY 14437
205 Main Street | Dansville| 335-9490

King’s Daughters property among ‘Five to Revive’
By Matt Leader
matt@livingstonnews.com
Over the past few months,
Livingston County has contin-
ued to field inquiries from those
interested in redeveloping of
the King’s Daughters & Sons
assisted living home in Dans-
ville.
“I think it’s fair to say that
we remain in the early stages
of redevelopment with those
who hold interest,” said Bill
Bacon, director of the county’s
economic development office.
“I am very hopeful on the pros-
pects of future investment.”
That hope was only bol-
stered by the Oct. 16 an-
nouncement that the long-va-
cant property in Dansville was
included on the Landmark So-
ciety of Western New York’s
“Five to Revive” list for 2019.
“We certainly appreciate
them calling attention to a
property that holds a signifi-
cant historical contribution to
the village of Dansville and one
that we hope can be restored
and preserved for future gener-
ations,” said Bacon of the prop-
erty’s inclusion on the list. “The
designation will help to publi-
cize the need for this beautiful
structure and bring the neces-
sary outside investment that the
property needs in order to be
brought back to life.”
The three-story, brick build-
ing at 26 Health St. in the vil-
lage was originally constructed
as the Dansville Seminary in
1860.
It became the town’s first hos-
pital in 1890 and, from 1924
to 2012, served as an assisted
living facility for the elderly.
The property has been va-
cant since then. In 2014, its
sprinkler system burst, caus-
ing significant water damage
throughout its interior.
“It looks like a bomb went
off in the middle,” Livingston
County Administrator Ian
Coyle told the county’s Ways
and Means committee after a
visit to the property in 2016.
Coyle said at the time there
was debris all over the interi-
or and the floor appeared to
be warped. It was possible to
walk up and down the stairs,
he said.
The roof remained on the
building and the structure ap-
peared to be weatherized,
Coyle noted.
“Pre-water break, it had
a lot of potential,” Coyle told
the committee. “Now, I don’t
know.”
In its news release noting
King’s Daughters inclusion on
its 2019 list, the landmark soci-
ety was more optimistic about
the property’s prospects.
“The building remains struc-
turally sound and secure from
the elements,” it said. “With
its solid construction, historic
architectural detailing, and
village location, it would make
an excellent candidate for resi-
dential reuse.”
The property was slated
for sale in Livingston County’s
2016 and 2017 foreclosed
property tax auctions, but was
withdrawn by the county both
Family Owned and Operated
Fall blooms make
autumn the most
colorful season yet.
From jewel tones to
brilliant brights,
we’ve got you covered!
Stop in today or check our
website at
dogwoodfloralcompany.com
to see our beautiful fall designs.
Let Dogwood Floral Company be
your first choice for flowers.
142 Main Street | Dansville, NY | 585.204.6014
Discover Dansville November 2019 • 15
times. The decisions to pull
the property from the auctions
stemmed from a desire to have
more control about who pur-
chased the property, county
officials said at the time.
County officials also voiced
their hope that retaining own-
ership of King’s Daughters
would allow the county to mar-
ket it to developers, some of
whom have expressed interest
to the county’s economic devel-
opment office.
In 2017, the county sought
state grant funding to restore
Photo courtesy of Kyle Benjamin
the property, but was unsuc- The King’s Daughters property on Health Street in Dansville was named
cessful.
to the Landmark Society of WNY’s Five to Revive list for 2019.
The “Five to Revive” list,
which the society has put out projects for Landmark Society its statement. “Being part of the
since 2013, is a means of call- staff and programs,” said the list gives these properties more
ing attention to historic proper- society in a news release. visibility and, as a result, may
ties and resources in the region “The Landmark Society will expand their funding options.”
that are in need of investment. work collaboratively with own- In addition to King’s Daugh-
King’s Daughters is the first ers, municipal officials, and de- ters, the society’s 2019 list in-
property in Livingston County velopers to facilitate investment cludes properties in Rochester,
to be highlighted by the soci- and foster rehabilitation so that Geneva, Seneca Falls, Hector,
ety. these structures can again play a town in Schuyler County, and
The properties listed on the an active role in their communi- the hamlet of Childs in Gaines,
2019 list “will become priority ties,” continued the society in Orleans County.
Securities Offered Through: Securities Service
Network, LLC. Member FINRA & SIPC Fee Based
Advisory Services Offered Through SSN
Advisory, INC, A Registered Investment Advisor
The Horizon Group
202 Main Street, Dansville, NY 14437
585.335.5190
muchlerclientsolutions@ssnrep.com
www.muchlerfinancial.com
16 • November 2019 Discover Dansville

Photo Credit By: Beth Doty

Come learn all about our organization and the efforts and
endeavors we pursue to ensure the greatest success of our
members and the Dansville area community as a whole.

Join The Dansville Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore the many benefits of being a member of our Chamber
of Commerce. Local businesses, community members, civic
groups and more participate in our organization. For a small
annual fee, the benefits are endless!

126 Main Street, Dansville, NY 14437

585.335.6920 | 1.800.949.0174