Sickelco family donates to library in memory of their parents

Sickelco family donates to library
in memory of their parents

The Sickelco family has made a donation to the Ogden Farmers' Library in honor of their parents, Robert and Carolyn Sickelco. The five Sickelco children, Jim, Lynn, Susan, Nancy and Elizabeth, each made a significant donation to the library in November 2005 and asked Library Director Patty Uttaro to spend the money in a way that would honor the memory of Bob and Carolyn.

Since that time, the library has purchased a digital DVD projector which will be used to present film programs throughout the year. Beginning March 2, a film program for adults, Thursday Morning Movies, will be offered the first and third Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. Films for children will be shown on selected Saturdays through May, and on rainy days during the summer. In addition to the DVD projector, four leather easy chairs and an area rug have been purchased for the reading area in the southeast corner of the library. Library visitors have reacted very favorably to having more comfortable seating in which to read newspapers, magazines and books. Finally, more than 100 books and DVDs were purchased in December 2005 that now bear a memorial plate recognizing Bob and Carolyn Sickelco.

Bob and Carolyn met at Charlotte High School. After graduation, Bob attended the University of Buffalo and Carolyn attended Wells College. They married in July 1946 following Bob's return from service in the Army during WWII. They moved to Spencerport in 1951, where Bob worked as a pharmacist for Austin's Drug Store. Bob later bought Austin's Drugs. He owned and managed the store until 1980. Bob and Carolyn had a lifelong commitment to the community; Bob as village trustee, Ogden town supervisor, member of the Spencerport School Board, Spencerport Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Spencerport Congregational Church; Carolyn as a 4-H Leader, member of the Spencerport Garden Club, Ogden Farmers' Library Board of Trustees, and St. John's Church. Bob and Carolyn both loved reading and are remembered as being grateful for the hours of enjoyment the Ogden Farmers' Library provided.