by Erin Hogan
It was a beautiful Grafton night as Graftonites assembled in the VFW Hall for the 66th Annual Fire Department Installation Dinner on Saturday, May 1. The evening started with a delicious dinner catered by Juliano’s from Wynantskill.
After dinner the ceremony began. Cyril Grant swore in the officers of the Grafton Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary. Grant thanked Grafton for having him and for the wonderful evening.
Next, certificates of appreciation were handed out to supporters of the Fire Department. Awards were given to Rosie’s Diner, The Grafton Baptist Church, the Town of Grafton, the Eastwick Press, the Grafton Store, the Grafton Rescue Squad, Cyril Grant, the Petersburgh Fire Company, the Berlin Fire Department and Center Brunswick Fire Department.
Then awards were given out by James Goyer to firefighters for the different achievements they have accomplished throughout the year. The rookie of the year was Tyler Baldwin. The highest honors was Harold Goyer, second highest, Adam Cerutti and third, Rick Hebert. Rich Reger answered the highest number of calls, second highest
Adam Cerutti and third Tyler Baldwin. The Years of Service awards were given to Rick Herbert for 10 years of service and Bill Keenan for 15 years. Also, Fred Fischer was recognized for being Assistant Chief for 15 years. Firefigher of the Year, for the seventh time, was Harold Goyer.
Jessica Crandall handed out awards for the Ladies Auxiliary. Crandall honored new members Lynn Forester, Brenda Insero, Stacy Reinhard and Jackie Surprise. Erica Sausville received a Certificate of Appreciation. The Auxiliary Member of the Year was Elise Goyer. Crandall thanked everyone who helps put on the breakfasts each month. She said that everyone who helps works hard and deserves a big thank you. Breakfasts are the last Saturday of the month at the VFW.
The Fire Department also took this opportunity to give out jackets to active members which is something they have never done before. Active members receiving jackets are Rick Reger, Lenny Deshane, Rick Hebert, Tyler Baldwin, John Hasbrouck, Bill Kenan, RJ Hebert, Adam Cerutti and Rick Goyer. After James Goyer thanked all for coming, the ceremony ended.
For the rest of the evening, the Boot Hill Band played country music for all to enjoy.
Silent Auction
About 200 hundred tickets were purchased for the silent auction of a laptop computer. The winning ticket was pulled out by the drummer in the band, and the winner of the laptop was Adam Cerutti.
