March 2013

Tuesday March 12, 2013 Greece Community Center 7:00 P.M.

The Corinthian

Womens Roles in the Civil War By Rebecca Budinger

GREECE HISTORICAL SOCIETY and MUSEUM

During the American Civil War, men were called to the front to fight, forcing women to re-evaluate their roles as wives, mothers, home keepers, and members of society. This presentation will explore some of the many roles into which women evolved, most beyond anything they ever imagined.
Originally from Buffalo, Rebecca Budinger attended Nazareth College. Taking a Civil War course at St. John Fisher proved lifechanging as it opened doors to her love of history and the Civil War. She began re-enacting in1998 and has been the Community Relations Manager for Barnes & Noble in Greece for16 years.

Volume 34, Issue 2

March-April 2013

In every issue:
Presidents Message Board of Trustees Museum Happenings Contact Us 2 4 3,5 8 Programs

Points of Interest:
1 2 5 7

Museum Events Museum Education Historians File

April 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Greece Town Hall, 7:00 P.M. World War I and the Flu Pandemic of 1918 by Robert Brown, PhD
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than World War I. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded history and the worst epidemic in American history, killing over 600,000 Americans. This talk will be about the relationship between two of the 20th centurys worst human disasters, the First World War and the flu pandemic of 1918.
Dr. Robert Brown is recognized as an international authority on the1918 flu pandemic. He was a medicine history research associate at the University College London over10 years and is now with SUNY FLCC. He has contributed numerous articles and TV/radio documentaries on the 1918 flu (including PBSs Secrets of the Dead: Killer Flu) and is preparing a book on the subject.

"President's Message"
January at GHS
I hope everyone made it through the winter season without any major problems or issues. After all we do live in upstate New York. The first two Greece Historical Society monthly Tuesday programs were a huge success. On Jan 8th more than 110 guests heard Bob Marcotte tell about Rochester during World War II. At the conclusion of his stories several people, including veterans, told stories about their experiences. On Sunday, January 13th more than 25 guests came to the Museum to hear my program about early aviation in the Rochester area. On January 23rd several GHS members met at the George Eastman House for a behind the scenes tour conducted by GEH curator Kathy Connor. Because of the success of the Eastman House tour, we hope to have more member only benefits including tours and discounts in the future. We are excited to welcome two new board members, Rick Antelli and Ruth Curchoe, and look forward to their contributions to our organization. A new volunteer, Sue Johnson, is now scanning our huge 35mm slide collection and we will soon start on our print collection with another volunteer. Digital scanning will help us share our collection with the community. In fact, Applebys on W. Ridge Rd. has used some of our scanned photos in their newly remodeled restaurant.

Museum Events
Sunday museum hours are 1:30 - 4p.m. The office hours are Mon-Wed 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Sat. March 9th Greece Public Library 2:00 p.m.

Living History Program

(see page 3)

Sun. March 10th Greece Museum 2:00 p.m. Refugee Tales (see page 4) March 2013 Norm Cooper, "Mayor of Dewey Stone" Exhibit Saturday, May 4th Noon and 2:30pm

Floral Tea
(see page 6)

Susan B. Anthony House & Neighborhood Tour Reserve NOW Limited SPACE !
Wednesday, May 22nd 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tour will include: Bus Transportation, Hot Lunch, Tours of Susan B. Anthony House, Dawn Notos home, Madison St. Neighborhood Gardens. (NOTE:

Stewards of History In her blog, Illuminated History Shining a Light on the Shadows of the Past, http://
illumhistory.wordpress.com/, Perinton Historical Society VP, Vicki Profitt, wrote a timely article on preserving local historical societies. In her story titled Dont allow your local historical society to become history, she talks of the importance of membership and volunteers. She closes with We must find a way to support these

This tour is NOT handicapped accessible.)

$55.00 Members, $60.00 Non-members Space is limited; to reserve: 225-7221, or email:greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com

institutions for the sake of our children and grandchildren, and theirs after them. Without support, these societies will cease to existbe a steward of history!

Our members are stewards of history and we thank you for your support, but we could always use your ideas to improve our society. Send us a note or e-mail us at greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com with your ideas and suggestions. Dont forget, when you are going through that old shoe box of photos, we are always looking for photos and stories of Greeces people, places and events.

**** Can You Help Us? ****

Volunteers Needed Our campaign through the mail and at our Tuesday programs has resulted in a number of new volunteers but we still need a few more docents, greeters, gift shop help and other volunteers. For more information about volunteering please call Kathie Firkins, 621-2869.
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Thank you for your support,

Bill Sauers, President

Living History Program at the Greece Public Library

http://greecepubliclibrary.org/

Our Museum Community

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIFE MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT
Lorraine Beane, Beverly Bell, Nick and Mary Lou Borrelli, Delores DeConinck, Ardelle Goulding, Gordon A. Howe II, Mary Graupman, Sue Hodge, Luigi Latragna, Lorna Logan, Ona McIninch, Fred and Phyllis Meredith, Bethann Mitchell, Donald Newcomb, Morris Richardson, Gretchen Howe Russo, Richard and Lee Strauss, Virginia Tomkiewicz, Beverly Tulloch, Deborah Whitt, Scott Wiley. THANK YOU to the BUSINESSES That Have SUPPORTED the GREECE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Bowlins Remodeling* Canandaigua National Bank (Latta Rd) Doan Dealerships Fleming Point Greece Chamber of Commerce* Greece Grange Key Bank Legacy at Park Crescent Long Pond Auto Body Long Pond Family Restaurant Mel's Diner North Ridge Glass Northwest Savings Bank (Long Pond Rd) Party Productions* The Signery The Villages at Unity* Tim Horton's (Long Pond Rd) Tops Friendly Markets (Mt Read Blvd) Ultimate Interiors* Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral & Cremation Chapels* Wegman Food Markets (Latta Rd)
(* denotes Business Member)

BLANCHE STUART SCOTT: Memories of an Adventurous Woman

On Saturday, March 9th at 2:00 pm, in celebration of National Womens History Month, the Greece Historical Society will present a program at the Greece Public Library, 2 Tofany Blvd, about Americas first aviatrix, Blanche Stuart Scott. Scott was born in Greece and was a pioneer in the automotive and aviation industries. Titled

Blanche Stuart Scott: Memories of an Adventurous Woman, this program focuses on the
year 1910 when Blanche drove cross-country from New York City to San Francisco and later that year became the first American woman to fly an airplane. Come meet this fascinating woman and hear in her own words about her adventures that momentous year.

This program is based on recordings of interviews with Blanche done by the former Greece Town Historian, Virginia Tomkiewicz, and on excerpts from her unpublished autobiography. Interpreting Blanche will be Maureen Whalen of the Greece Historical Society and Museum. This program is the first of a planned trilogy about this feisty, fascinating woman.
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2012 Annual Report of the Greece Historical Society & Museum is now available on-line at http://greecehistoricalsociety.net/current-news/

Museum Shop
As Winter rolls into Spring we have many exciting events going on at our Museum. Our Sunday events are a good reason to get out of the house and join us for a pleasant afternoon with great storytellers from our area.

Officers & Board of Trustees

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Executive Director: Honorary Trustee: Trustees: Bill Sauers Wendy Peeck Sandy Peck Jack Wallenhorst Needed Don Newcomb Sue Hodge Sandy Peck Wendy Peeck Bill Sauers Paula Smith Cyndie Shevlin Lee Strauss Jack Wallenhorst Viola White Roberta Young

Dont forget about our Northgate booklet. We all have wonderful memories about shopping at Northgate Plaza. This booklet will bring back your memories. Stop by and check it out. Wendy Peeck, Museum Shop Coordinator

Museum & Museum Shop hours: Sunday 1:30-4:00 pm Upcoming Sunday Programs
March 10 Greece Museum 2:00 p.m. Refugee Tales of a Burmese Family now Living in Greece Meet a refugee family making a new life in Greece after many trials and frightening experiences in leaving their home land of Burma. Their heartwarming story is a lesson in overcoming and starting anew with hope. April 14th & 21st Greece Museum 1:30-4:00 p.m. Art Show Works by the Greece Comm. & Sr. Center Art Group.
Committee Chairs: Grounds, Building Historian Museum Museum Shop Newsletter Editor Programs Publicity Registrar Tours, Education

Upcoming Monthly Programs & Events

Tuesday, May 14th 7:00 p.m., Greece Town Hall, Channel 13 Over the Years by Patrice Walsh Wednesday, May 22nd 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Susan B. Anthony House & Neighborhood Tour Reservations required, call 585-225-7221.
On Sunday Jan 13th Bill Sauers presented his program on the early days of Rochester aviation. He spoke of Crittenden Field, Bakers Field at Genesee Valley Park, the Brighton Aerodrome and the first use of a field on Scottsville Rd in 1910, now the Rochester International Airport. Included in his program was information about some of the characters that tried to, or actually did fly those early aero-planes.

Scott Bowlin Alan Mueller Viola White Wendy Peeck Cyndie Shevlin Bill Sauers Marge Zercie Needed Kathie Firkins

Please Remember
The Greece Historical Society in your tax and estate planning. We are a non-profit organization supported by your *gifts and endowments.

We sincerely appreciate your donations.

*Tax deductible per (Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

For newsletter input, please contact: corintheditor@yahoo.com

Cyndie Shevlin, Editor

This newsletter is published bi-monthly by the editor for the Greece Historical Society and Museum.

Happenings at the Greece Museum

On Feb12th Bernice (Bernie) Wallenhurst was awarded our annual Dorothea Schommer Volunteer of the Year Award for her more than 25 years of service to the Greece Historical Society.

On Jan 23rd the Greece Historical Society arranged a special behind the scenes tour of the George Eastman House. The tour was conducted by GEH curator, Kathy Connor. On February 12th over 85 guests enjoyed a very entertaining program titled Annie and Al on the Erie Canal performed by Fran Carlisi-Paxson and Allen Hopkins.

More Volunteers
Katie Coffee also called to volunteer and is presently working on DeweyStone area archives which we will use in a brief history of the area and possibly a power point program, scheduled for summer. Kristine DeNeve is scanning photos and documents for an exhibit and pamphlet about the hamlet, North Greece, It will be our winter exhibit in 2014. We are very grateful for all their help. The task is time consuming, but it is very important to save these old photos.

Seated at our new slide and photo scanner is Sue Johnson, who called after seeing on our website our request for someone to help with digitizing our images.

Education and Tours Committee

The Education Committee continues to meet regularly. Spring school tours will begin in May and June. Winter months are our planning and research times. To add more hands-on opportunities for learning in our museum, the group is exploring uses for tech equipment such as Smart Boards, Touch Screens, and a new flat screen TV that has internet connection capabilities. The goal is to have equipment to show slides and videos that enhance the learning experience of visitors to our exhibits. More interactive opportunities would make a more meaningful tour for them. Several more projects are being researched by Kathy Firkins, Linda Evans and Lee Strauss Kathie Firkins, Tour Director and Education Consultant
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You are invited to a Spring Floral Tea

Greece Historical Society and Museum 595 Long Pond Road Saturday, May 4th at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. $12.50 Please place paid reservation by April 26th

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name(s) ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Telephone number _________________________ I am reserving for ___________person(s) For the _______Noon seating; ________2:30 p.m. seating
Please mail check payable to Greece Historical Society to P. O. Box 16249, Rochester, New York 14616 by April 26th.

Annual Festival
Already we are planning our annual Strawberry & Dessert Tasting Festival on June 17th. We will need volunteers to help sell tickets, set-up, take-down, direct parking, solicit contributions, etc. If you can help please call me at 225-7221 or e-mail greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com

2013 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Got some extra time? Want a project to sink your teeth into? Have we got the job for you! Working times are very flexible. Please contact Lee at 225-7221(office) or 227-5305(home) or email us at greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com.

Digitize archival records. Scan onto archival discs Society records, exhibit information, history records, slides,

photos, documents. You will be surprised at how much you learn. Data entry: Our Pastperfect Museum Software is waiting for eager hands to enter the information about the artifacts in the Societys collection. It is an easy, user friendly program. If you like antiques, this will be a fun project. Gift shop volunteer: Clerking in the gift shop is an opportunity to meet new people, helping guests choose a gift of history for someone on their Christmas list, along with greeting visitors and directing them to the museum. Volunteers usually work one Sunday afternoon (from 1:15 to 4:00 p.m.) a month or every other month. Plus, you can browse our books. Office assistant: Filing, answering the phone, typing letters, helping with the newsletter mailing, just typical office work. It never ends! You would be doing the Society a great service if you could work on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning from 9:30 to noon once a week or as little as once a month. 6

FROM THE HISTORIAN'S FILE Post Mark North Greece, N.Y.

After turning the corner at Latta Road to go south on North Greece Road, one might quickly pass a plain red brick building at the rear of a small parking lot. Across the right front of the building are the letters, United States Post Office. If you aren't from the area you might not know you are in the hamlet of North Greece. This area was one of the earlier settlements in Greece. It has had a Post Office since 1850 (from the government records, a few say earlier). Over the last 163 year period the mail operation has occupied at least six known locations, never more than a block away from each other. The first location was a small space in the store of Alfred Phelps at the South west corner Latta and North Greece Roads. For a short period of time in the early 1870s the location moved across North Greece Road to a store operated by William T. Filer. By 1880 it was back again, operating out of the Phelps store by Alfred's son Henry. For the next sixty-five years it was to share space with the ever expanding general merchandise. Changing times in the early 1900s saw the gradual demise of the pickle and cracker barrels. Molasses was no longer dispensed into a jug. Kerosene found fewer uses as Greece gradually saw the extension of electrical service to North Greece and beyond. Nineteen forty-five saw the end of World War II and the Post Office found it necessary to relocate again and building material was in short supply then. A small building was found on a nearby farm and moved on a flatbed truck to the rear of the original North Greece Fire Station on the Northeast corner of Latta Road at North Greece Road. Remembered by older local residents was Mrs. Melinda Germeroth, the post mistress from the opening of the small office in August 1945 to her retirement in December 1967. A major remodeling and addition to the fire station made room for the post office to lease a much larger space from the fire department in 1964. As a second class contract post office it could offer all the amenities of a first class post office. Mail delivery was not offered in this type of office, except to the rented post office boxes on the premises. It also was not necessary for the U.S. Post Office Service to own the building. Another twelve years and the fire station was bursting at the seams. However, no remodeling was done this time. The entire old building was demolished and a new fire station erected. There was no small, used building for the post office this time. It was decided to move the post office in to a temporary, cramped 12' by 50' trailer....until a new permanent building was built. The trailer was put on rented property down North Greece Road, barely a block south of the fire station. The postal service put out a call for bids on a building that would have 1,056 sq. ft. of space. George and Florence Germeroth Jr. were the successful bidders and the Post Office would lease the building from the Germeroths. Florence had taken the place of her mother-in-law (Melinda) on her retirement in 1967. The present facility is a one person operation, except during busy seasonal and special times. Numerous postal clerks served there and at the other earlier locations. A more recent clerk with many years of service was Doris Cutter, who is fondly remembered. Doris retired in early 2004 with many years of faithful service. Another is Ann Piazza who worked with Mrs. Cutter for many years. Though only a mile and a half west of the main Greece Post Office, it is a much slower paced operation. It closes for an hour at lunch time; the outer lobby has a bank of private mail boxes with a special Zip Code of 14515 for those only. If you are still writing by "snail-mail" or sending cards, a North Greece cancellation mark is available by dropping your correspondence in a special slot. North Greece is the only location that has a Greece cancellation. A visit there recently found I was in a friendly, unrushed flow of patrons in what seemed to be a flash back to another time. With the postal service running up red ink more every year, will North Greece eventually cease to have its own post office?

Photos, data supplied by Alan Mueller, Greece Historian's Office. If you have any information on our photos, call Alan at 663-1706.

COMMUNITY HAS LOST A GOOD FRIEND

Tom Schommer (1929-2013): a long time volunteer of the Greece Historical Society, including serving as treasurer and president, passed away on January 18th. We will all miss Toms enthusiasm and commitment to the Society. The following are a few comments about Tom from some of our Towns leading citizens.
Tom loved this community. He believed that citizens have a responsibility to contribute their time and talents for the benefit of their community. He gave generously to the Greece School District as Treasurer, Board Member and President of the School Board. Tom was instrumental in helping fund and organize WGMC. His philosophy and work ethic of community volunteerism was a model for those willing and able to make those kinds of contributions. David B. Robinson, former superintendent of Schools, GCSD Because Greece was not properly represented by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Tom, a strong and determined man, led members of the Greece Council in starting a Greece Chamber of Commerce. He grew the Chamber by recognizing the business members for their achievements at the first of many Chamber Awards Banquets. Greece is a better community because of Tom Schommer. Jon D.

Kuppinger, founding director of the Greece Chamber of Commerce

When Tom was on the School Board, and later when he was Treasurer of the School District, he was always ready to discuss proposals before the Planning Board. Because of his experience and contacts you could count on Tom to have broad perspective. His bottom line was always what is best for our community. We will miss him. Al Fisher, Chairman, Town of Greece Planning Board Whenever Tom became involved with any project or program he gave his heart and soul to make sure it was successful. As a very active member and officer of the Greece Historical Society, Tom played a key role in bringing the old Greece Town Hall cupola to the Howe house/Museum campus. To keep the cupola in good shape you would find Tom on many summer days with a paint brush in hand, a prime example of his dedication and desire to preserve the Town of Greece History. Bill Selke, a loyal and good

friend

My friends, Tom and Dorothea, were tireless visionaries who seemed to be involved with everything good for Greece back in the 60s to the 90s. Whether it was about the schools expansion, the jazz station, the highway 390 from 104 to the Parkway, industrial expansion, or starting the Greece Chamber of Commerce, Tom was involved. Thank you Tom and Dottie for your love, energy, passion and devotion to build our Town of Greece as one of the best places to live! I consider it an honor to have worked with you on several of your visions. John C. Geisler, Geisler Realtors Tom Schommer for over thirty years was the epitome of citizen activist, community volunteer and public servant. Throughout the decades of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Tom was involved in every facet of life in Greece. I considered him a trusted advisor and friend, a friend that provided leadership to our schools, our Town Government and the Greece Chamber of Commerce. A tireless leader, Greece never had a better ambassador and cheerleader. Donald J. Riley, Supervisor, Town of Greece, 1972-1989
(Some of the above comments may have been edited for space allowance)