2008 GWF Appreciation Dinner

2008 Good Will Fire Company members are, seated, left to right: Secretary René Brigham, Treasurer Mary Bendock, President Niles English, Chief Scott Fisher, Assistant Chief Bob Voda, Assistant Chief Brad Fassett, Lieutenant Eric Shafer and Lieutenant Brian Yurgatis. Second row: Jay Brigham, Lisa Wilcox, Marty Petrocco, Connie Babcock, Chris Barnes, Josh Fassett, Sharai Shafer, Andy Hollister and Zack Force. Back row: Floyd Darling, Mike Wilcox, Paul Leatso, Jesse Carey, Randy Brigham Chip Babcock, Richie Spencer, Brad Carey, Tony Lamb, Brandon Fisher, Nichole Ruhf, Eric Brigham and Brandon Carey. Missing from photo was Vice President Darl Bouch.

The annual awards dinner took place in the fire company’s newly-renovated social hall on Main Street.

President Niles English opened the evening, welcoming over 80 people in attendance.

Randy Brigham offered a blessing and a delicious meal catered by Hometown Catering of Wyalusing was enjoyed by all.

Following the meal, almost 40 door prizes were presented.

Prizes were donated by Vern’s Feed and Supply, Jay Brigham-Navy Recruiter, The Wiser Choice Restaurant, the Good Will Fire Company, Wysox and Athens Agway, P.A.’s Food Mart, Brighams Machine Shop, J & J Sales and Service, Franklin’s Farm Service, Laceyville Hardware, Kristi’s Kountry Kitchen, Custom Cuts for Men/Mindy Piccotti, David Clink, Mark’s Valley View, Sible’s Gun Shop and Bluhm’s Gas.

Each year, during Fire Prevention Week, the Good Will Fire Company puts on a demonstration of fire safety and shows off its fire engine and firefighting gear to students at the Laceyville Elementary School. The company also sponsors a fire safety poster contest open to all students in grades K-6. A winner is chosen from each grade and given a $25 gift certificate. One poster is selected as best overall, with the winner getting a plaque and $100 savings bond. The winners are selected by Laceyville artist George Schelling. This year’s overall winner was fifth grader, Elizabeth “Libby” Callahan. Libby is the daughter of Walt and Michelle Sutton, of Laceyville, and John Callahan, of Tunkhannock.

In addition to selecting a Firefighter of the Year, the company also selects a Rookie of the Year and Junior Fire Firefighter of the Year

Zack Force, 16, of Laceyville, was this year’s Junior Firefighter of the Year. He was selected based on his willingness to learn the job of firefighter and doing whatever needs to be done in a manner beyond what is expected. It was also pointed out that he has been consistent in attending training sessions and meetings.

This year’s Rookie of the Year award went to Jay Brigham of Laceyville, son of Randy and René Brigham. Jay joined the fire company in July and was honored Saturday night based on his exhibiting the finest qualities of a firefighter, such as teamwork, leadership and consistently responding to emergencies. Coincidentally, last year’s Rookie of the Year was his father, Randy. Jay is currently serving in the Navy as the recruiter for this area.

Left to right: President Niles English, Rookie of the Year Jay Brigham, Assistant Chief Brad Fassett and Chief Scott Fisher.

Each year a local business and a business not from the Laceyville area are chosen to be honored for their contributions to the fire company. This year, Eb’s Market was the local business that was chosen. It was pointed out that owners Eric and Carmen Eberlin have been there to help with dinners and supplies whenever needed. They have shown a willingness to support the fire company in many ways throughout the year.

Eric Eberlin, owner of Eb’ s Market, left, with President Niles English. Eberlin was honored for his market’s continued support of the local fire company.

The out-of-town business award went to Accubrace Shoring L.C.C. of Howard Lake, Minnesota. The local office located in Wyalusing is run by Assistant Chief Brad Fassett. Accubrace consistently allows Brad and his employees that are volunteer firefighters to respond to any call without restriction from their job. The company has donated many hours of service through their employees at the Wyalusing location. Both business award winners received a plaque and a huge round of applause from those in attendance.

Assistant Fire Chief Brad Fassett, left, receiving the award for Accubrace Shoring from Chief Scott Fisher, right, and fire company President Niles English, center

Following the awards and door prizes, English mentioned the hard work done by several others in attendance Saturday night. He said that Danielle Lamb, wife of Safety Officer Tony Lamb, has been the dedicated and talented person to design and maintain the fire company’s webpage (www.laceyvillefire.org). She has spent many hours on this project and does a fantastic job, English said. She often is updating the website late into the night. The fire company greatly appreciates all her hard work and creativity, he added.

Safety Officer Tony Lamb, left receiving a volunteer firefighter Badge from Cheif Scott Fisher

Chief Scott Fisher thanked Marty Petrocco, Dave Wright, Mark White and Chris Barnes for work they did remodeling the Main Street social hall. He explained how much of an improvement it is and that now it can be rented to the public for many functions and will be an asset to the community. He also thanked Ashlee Fisher for her work. Ashlee has achieved the highest award offered in the Girl Scouts—the Gold Award—for her project of redecorating the social hall ladies’ room. She was very thoughtful and creative in designing and decorating this room. In addition to that project, Ashlee made sheer curtains for the large windows on Main Street and is currently finishing another set of curtains to be used there in the winter. These were two large projects and she did an exceptional job with them.

All attending officers then presented Volunteer Firefighter Badges to be displayed on dress uniforms to the following members: Brad Carey, Josh Fassett, Brandon Fisher, Sharai Shafer, Richie Spencer, Floyd Darling, Andy Hollister, Brandon Carey, Jesse Carey, Zack Force, Eric Brigham, Jay Brigham, Nichole Ruhf, Mary Bendock, Chris Barnes, Mike Wilcox, Lisa Wilcox, Randy Brigham, René Brigham, Tony Lamb, Paul Leatso, Marty Petrocco, Chip Babcock and Connie Babcock.

The evening ended with some funny gag gifts being given out to Eric Brigham from Bucky Benscoter, a gas container, and to Brad Fassett from Richie Spencer, a gas mask. Humorous stories relating to both gifts were shared and had many laughing.

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Good Will Fire Company Secretary René Brigham for providing this story and to Jay Brigham for the accompanying photos.