Joseph E. Reddy
July 20, 1944 - March 4, 2021
With this tribute from the Oriskany Falls Fire Department:
With deep sadness, we share the news that past member Joseph Reddy has passed. Joe became a member of the Oriskany Falls Fire Department in 1968. Over his 50+ years, he served in many capacities including; the department Secretary, President, long time Fire Commissioner and earned Life-Member status. In addition, he served as Mayor of our Village from 1974 to 1977. His contributions to our department during his years of service are immeasurable. He was an integral part of many activities of yesteryear including being the Chairman of the Snowmobile races, Motocross races and Field Day Committee, as well as a long time delegate to the Oneida County Fireman’s Association. He never shied away from a microphone and was often the Master of Ceremonies at the Field Day parades, Department banquets and Village of Oriskany Falls Memorial Day ceremonies. Joe would be the first one at the table for a good card game after meetings and during the Super Bowl party, and always enjoyed participating with our softball, bowling and golfing teams. His knowledge, wisdom and guidance to our department will be forever missed.
Our sympathies go out to all his family, especially his wife Barb, daughters Michelle Reddy and Shannon Peck and to his son, past OFFD Chief Michael Reddy.
Arrangements are being made by Owens-Pavlot and Rogers Funeral Service. https://owenspavlotrogers.com/.../Joseph.../obituary.html...
A Catholic funeral mass will be held at the St. Joseph’s Church in Oriskany Falls on Monday March 8th at 11am followed by a final call/bell ringing ceremony at the Oriskany Falls firehouse on Madison Street.
- WEATHER -
- COVID-19 UPDATES & IN THE MAIL -
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We have quite a few winter coats on hand, and will give them out to those who need one...no charge. If you know of someone who needs one, stop in to pick one up. Sizes vary.
- AROUND TOWN -
From the Oriskany Falls Rotary Club
Congratulations Chris and Crystal Jadwick! Our newest Paul Harris award winners, honored at the Hotel Solsville on Wednesday, March 3.Chris and Crystal are active members of the club who are always on hand to help with projects and fundraisers. Currently Crystal is spearheading our 250/10 Raffle. Thanks for all you do
The Full OD Story can be read by subscribers Here:
A Round Up of links to some of this week's WCS Winter Sports & Senior Nights:
Boys JV Basketball - WCSD Vs. Holland Patent
For your historical entertainment, a look back at March 1, 1991 thanks to Philippa Brown. The "At Home in the Huddle" blog was not up and running at that time. But she always did have a mind that knew all the tidbits of local history!
"About the first of March, 1792, Minierva Hale and wife, and Nathan Gurney and wife and infant, moved into the town from New Hartford, where they had previously resided one or two years. The first day of their journey they reached the house of Simon Hubbard, who lived on the place now occupied by his son Marinus Hubbard, in the town of Marshall, where they remained over night. Their conveyances were ox teams and sleds. On the next morning, the snow being very deep, they made short yokes for their oxen, and using their bed cords for traces, they drove them tandem, and thus plowed their way to their new farms. The distance from Mr. Hubbard's was but about four miles, but such was the almost impassable state of their route (for road they had none), over hills and logs, across and through creeks, swamps, and thickets, overlaid with at least four feet of snow, that is was quite night before they reached its termination. Mr. Hale had purchased land adjoining the lot of Mr. Phelps, and Mr. Gurney had purchased lot No. 40, now in the village of Waterville, and a part of which is at present owned by Aaron Stafford, Esq., whose father, Ichabod Stafford, noticed as among the earliest settlers of Augusta, purchased of Gurney. They both, however, proceeded to the house of Mr. Phelps*, who had moved into it only two or three days previously, and here they remained until they built houses for themselves. The three men, their wives, and Gurney's child, all occupied the same room, and for the best of reasons, it was the only one in the house, or in the town." From Pomroy Jones' Annals of Oneida County, 1851.
* Probably next to the creek, near Beaver Creek Road, on land now the Sangerfield Golf Course.
Photos courtesy of Jean Desany.
March 1, 1992
In 1992 a bicentennial "re-enactment" took place on an appropriately cold and windy day and began on Daytonville Road. Riding in the wagon, pulled by "Duke" and Dan," twin oxen trained by the Hugh Healey family of Johnstown, were then-mayor David Upcraft and trustee Linda Nichols representing Nathan Gurney and his wife, and Kathy Langworthy, a descendant of two of the township's earliest settlers. About thirty people followed the procession on foot while another hundred or so gathered in the St. Bernard's parking lot to take turns having wagon rides and refreshments.
This just goes to show, you never know when you're going to find yourself in one of Flip's old posts. A bit of confirmation later, we were there for this event as well.
In March 2011:
The Johnston School of Irish Dance performed at the Waterville Public Library for an early St. Patrick's Day treat.
Coach Roger's Team participated in the Heart Run & Walk with this note from Jennifer Neff
"Coach Roger's Team walked in the Heart Walk and Run on behalf of my dad, Roger Nichols, who suffered heart attacks and underwent open heart surgery in January, 2009. This year we had 26 people walking on his team including three of his four grandchildren."
While we're missing musical season this year, and we know those at WCS are even more, we were all enjoying Seussical the Musical 10 years ago and Anything Goes a mere 5 years ago!
Click Here for the WCS Musical Page