RANDOLPH - Volunteer firemen in Randolph combined their 125th anniversary with their annual spring meeting and installation of officers with a dinner and very different program for the more than 120 members and guests attending the event.
Firefighters from East Randolph, Coldspring, Kennedy, Frewsburg and Cattaraugus were represented with each introduced bringing good wishes from their respective companies.
"It's still amazing to most of us this company has been here and strong for 125 years," John Congdon, master of ceremonies, told guests.
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Highlight of the meeting was to honor, once very active but now disabled, William O'Brien for his 50 years of service. He was presented a framed certificate for his dedication to the Junior Firefighters, the fire company and the rescue squad.
A second highlight was the recognition of William Honey, a Randolph firefighter for 68 years.
"Many of us on the team today were not even born when Bill became a fireman," said MC Congdon jokingly when recognizing Honey.
Lisa Vanstrom, representing state Sen. Cathy Young, read and presented two proclamations. First to the Randolph Fire Company for its 125th anniversary and second to William O'Brien for his 50 years of service.
Firefighter of the Year went to Randolph's hard working Dale Senn for his Johnny-on-the-spot response to anything asked of him and for his many unseen contributions to the fire company was awarded a certificate of dedication by Fire Chief Donald McElwain.
Howard VanRensselaer installed officers for the coming year.
A prime rib dinner was served by local Pete Redding from A-Z Catering, with Ron Ormond, preparing the prime rib.
Accolades go to planners Steve and Marsha Cowan and Donald and Barbara Pitts. The commemorative cake was made by Janet McElwain, imaginative cake maker for special fire events for many years.
When it was all over everyone danced until midnight to the music of D-J John Barry with the 125th anniversary of the Randolph Fire Company once again fading to into history.