New lodge honors Jennejahn family The house built on solid rock is an often-cited biblical analogy, and on November 5, Village of Hilton officials unveiled a new home, open to the public, with a foundation built on the amazing faith and community service of the Jennejahn family. The Jennejahn Lodge, named after the long-time Hilton family, is located behind Quest Elementary School and will provide year round meeting space for organizations and families. It houses more than 50 people and provides comfortable amenities and a view of Salmon Creek. The lodge includes a full kitchen with stove, microwave, refrigerator and sink, a wood burning fireplace and thermostat controlled heating system, interior and exterior bathrooms, an outdoor grill and a 12-foot covered front porch. A full house gathered to witness the dedication. Participating in the ceremony were dozens of Jennejahns, friends and officials. Senator Joseph Robach and Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt were also present. Both men praised the new facility and acknowledged the family. "I know the deep roots the Jennejahn family has had here and it is really fitting that they have been recognized in this way," Nesbitt said. The lodge particularly honors five Jennejahn families, Luther, Fred Sr., Fred Jr., John Sr. and John Jr. These five families served the Hilton community by supporting the Fire Department, St. Paul Lutheran Church, the ambulance and the school district. Hilton Mayor Bill Carter, master of ceremonies, talked about his personal ties to the family and shared that naming the facility after a founding family is a trend that the village will continue to follow. "We're trying to recognize families who have done a tremendous amount of work for our community," Carter said. Carter also unveiled a new sign that recognized this section of the park as Rotary Landing, in memory of Lloyd "Hy" Burritt. Mary Bess Jennejahn, wife of Fred Jr., said the recognition for her family meant a great deal. "It is a real honor to the men and women of our family," she said. "I'm thankful that so many people in our family were able to do so much for this village besides just going to work and coming home." Bennett Construction Company Inc., of Dansville, was selected to build the facility's shell. Tom Tilebein, Hilton's superintendent of public works who spearheaded the project, had village crews provide a lot of the manpower to reduce costs. The project, which was estimated at $425,000, utilized nearly $200,000 of grant money. Village workers completed all the site work, the interior work and construction of the lighted parking lot. The lodge can be reserved by calling the Village Office at 392-4144. The charge to village residents is $100 a day. Individuals outside of the district are charged $150 per day. Many dates have already been reserved. The following is a short list of the community service provided by the Jennejahn family: •Luther - Active in New York state agricultural associations, national director of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau, Hilton Rotary charter member and presented a cherry tree to President Eisenhower. •Fred Sr. - Hilton School board president, St. Paul Lutheran Church active member and fire department member, played in Drum and Bugle Corps. •Fred Jr. - Fire department member, played in Drum and Bugle Corps, Rotary president and Parma Fire Commissioners board member. •Jack Sr. - Fire department member, ambulance committee member and St. Paul Lutheran Church elder, council member, and Sunday School teacher. •Jack Jr. - Fire department member, played in Drum and Bugle Corps, Parma Superintendent and St. Paul Lutheran Church active member. November 13, 2005 |
