Peter and Nancy Neidrauer are being recognized together, as the couple has spent decades working together as a pair for the benefit of the Churchville-Riga community.
In his letter of nomination, Churchville Lions Club President Barry Nobles wrote that the Neidrauers are thought of as a team – playing off each other’s strengths.
“For many years, Pete and Nancy have worked as a team, supporting the community (through) projects for the Churchville Lions (which) benefit the local community, and Lions International (which) reach around the world,” Nobles stated.
The couple say they are honored to be receiving the Citizen of the Year Award. “After living in Churchville for 49 years, this honor is beyond words,” both say. “Thank you to those who nominated us and the Chamber for choosing us.”
Peter and Nancy both grew up in Wyoming County – Peter in Warsaw and Nancy in Pearl Creek – and moved to Churchville/Riga shortly after they got married. “We were married fifty years ago,” Peter says. “When we were looking for a home to raise our family, we were looking for a small community with a rural feeling. Riga fit the bill.”
The couple raised three children and say they believe in a strong family. Peter’s grandmother lived with the family for 17 years. They now have four grandchildren.
The Neidrauers say Churchville is a friendly place. As members of St. Vincent de Paul parish, Peter helped in the rehabilitation of the church – the couple also worked at Bingo, taught children CCE and founded, along with friends, the nursery for small children.
Their own children were involved in Girl and Boy Scouts and Peter and Nancy became involved as well.
After their children finished Scouts (Eagle and Gold Award), Peter joined the Lions Club and Nancy joined later when women were accepted as members.
While Peter was serving his first term as Lions president, St. Vincent de Paul church decided to stop holding their fair. The Lions decided to give it a try and the event became the Riga/Lions Country Fair.
“Later, it was called the Churchville Lions Club Fair with Antique Tractor Pulls,” Peter remembers. “The Lions Country Fair has been held in August for more than twenty-five years. We have been involved with the fair as co-chairs, financial, cooks, and with any tasks that need help, including making toy wooden tractor trophies. To us, the Country Fair brings out the community spirit and makes Churchville shine as the best little place to live. We are all family.”
Peter served on the town Planning Board and as Highway Superintendent for five years and Nancy was involved with Senior Connection, was a Senior van driver, an election inspector and taught cake decorating at CCSD.
When Peter retired after working thirty-one years for Eastman Kodak in the engineering support group for the Quality Assurance Division, the Neidrauers turned their efforts to volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, traveling the country and relaxing.
“The older we get, the less we like the cold winters of the North, so we join other Care-A-Vanners from the United States to build affordable housing in the South,” the couple says.
“Care-A-Vanners are people who have their own homes on wheels, such as motor homes and fifth wheels, and can travel from place to place to build,” the Neidrauers explain. “This winter found us in Sebring, Florida, painting the inside and outside of two homes, building a ramp, and rebuilding walls damaged by termites as well as doing yard(work) – plants and sod. We have built homes or rehabbed in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina and New York.
When they are at home, Peter enjoys woodworking – building furniture, cabinets and toys, and Nancy enjoys gardening, sewing, and socializing with long-time neighbors.
“Other hobbies are fishing, boating, camping and hiking with our family in the Adirondack Mountains during the summer,” they add.
The Neidrauers were honored at the Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner on March 19 at Naughton’s Johnson House restaurant in Churchville.
