Churchville-Riga Chamber dinner March 8 recognizes efforts of local individuals

Newman Riga Library Director Donna Haire says the community facility is unique by virtue of its size. "It's kind of a one-on-one relationship with our customers. We provide a readers advisory for children and being small we can help the children with choice of materials and reading progress." Photograph by Walter Horylev.

Dr. Richard Parsons opened his veterinary practice in Churchville 10 years ago. "It's where I grew up," he said of the area. He says he saw an open storefront and "jumped in. I enjoy the people and the community. I live here, work here!" Photograph by Walter Horylev.

The Ray Adams Cobblestone Community Building, constructed in 1843 and recently refurbished, has been designated the recipient of the chamber's Beautification Award. Photograph by Walter Horylev.

Churchville-Riga Chamber dinner March 8 recognizes efforts of local individuals

The Churchville-Riga community will gather Thursday, March 8 to recognize the outstanding work of several of its residents. The Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce will present its 2006 awards at the group's annual dinner at the Johnson House Restaurant.

The Citizen of the Year Award will be shared by Donna Haire, Director of the Newman Riga Library, and her staff. Business Person of the Year honors will be presented to Dr. Richard Parsons, owner of Churchville Veterinary Hospital.

Haire said the honor came as a tremendous surprise. She has worked at the Newman Riga Library for 24 years and said she is delighted and gratified by the award. Haire said she likes to get the library's name out there to keep it in," ... the consciousness of the folks in town."

She said she hopes that the exposure the award will provide for the library will bring in new patrons. Haire's entire staff, which she said numbers 10, are also being honored.

Newman Riga Library is a very special and unique library, Haire said, simply by virtue of its size. Because her staff knows its patrons so well, they can even, " ... buy books with a particular person in mind."

Riga Town Supervisor Pamela Moore said Haire and her staff are a "jewel for the community." Moore commended Haire for her work on the annual community-wide Arbor Day celebration and added that Haire always has town documents posted in the library so the public has easy access to them. Moore said Haire encourages children to read and works on storytelling and poster competitions for young readers.

Tim and Mary Ann McElligott were among those who nominated Haire and her staff. Mary Ann praised Haire for the excellent programs offered at the library. "She is so smart and just the nicest lady," McElligott said. She also commended the entire library staff for being, "extremely talented," and added that they were especially helpful when she needed to learn how to use the library computers.

Dr. Richard Parsons, owner of Churchville Veterinary Hospital, is receiving the Business Person of the Year Award. Parsons said he was stunned to have won the honors, "I was surprised," he said, "I didn't expect it, I'm kind of quiet."

Parsons said he has been in practice in Churchville for 10 years. He is a 1981 graduate of Churchville-Chili High School and is very happy to be raising his own family, which includes two sons, in his own hometown. His practice specializes in small animals and exotics and offers in-house surgery and radiology. Parsons also offers dentistry and dental X-rays for pets.

Parsons works part-time at the University of Rochester as an instructor and served in Afghanistan as a member of the Reserves between October 2002 and August 2003. He has given public talks on his time spent there throughout the Churchville-Riga community including the Newman Riga Library.

Riga Supervisor Pamela Moore commended Parsons for the excellent care he provides for pets in the community, including her aging schnauzer.

The Ray Adams Cobblestone Community Building, constructed in 1843, will receive the Civic Beautification Award. The building is now owned by the Town of Riga and Pamela Moore called it, "one of the biggest assets of the town." She attended Brownie meetings there as a young girl and her mother played basketball there.

She added that it is important to remember those who have used the building in the past and its history as well as work to preserve it for the future.

The building has a stage and Moore said two successful sold-out theater productions were held there last year. The building will also play a major role in the community's bicentennial celebration coming up in 2009, Moore said.

Churchville Village Historian and Chair of the Town of Riga Historical Committee Ronald Belczak said the building was originally used as a school. It has also been used as a grange hall over the years. Belczak said it is just "gorgeous" after recent improvements.

The awards begin with social time at 6:30 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance. They are available at the Riga town offices, Churchville village offices and the Johnson House Restaurant in the village district.