CCAT Summer 2024 Newsletter
ICheshire Community Action Team - Summer 2024 Newsletter
Organized in 2003, the Cheshire Community Action Team (CCAT) works to improve the day-to-day living environment of the Hamlet by raising awareness of community issues; fostering better communication between neighbors; encouraging youth development and providing an informed, effective voice that links Cheshire residents to local government as well as promoting local businesses and artists. The organization is open to anyone interested in preserving the history, rural character and tranquil charm of the Hamlet.
News & Upcoming Events from CCAT
In an effort to slow down traffic on Rt. 21, the new speed tracker signs serve as a reminder of the 35 mph speed limit. Based on observing traffic in Cheshire, on average, 410 vehicles pass through both in the morning and afternoon between the busy hours of 7:30 - 9AM and 4:30 - 6PM during the weekdays. Thank you to the CCAT team, particularly George Herren & Oksana Fuller for pushing this initiative and the Town of Canandaigua Highway Department for working with CCAT on this project.
The welcome signs on both ends of the Hamlet & CVFD flower box are filling out nicely as we move into the end of summer – thanks Andrew Silkiewicz, Oksana Fuller & Holly Velez for your help beautifying Cheshire!
After a full summer of art, music and community spirit, CCAT is looking forward to a beautiful and colorful autumn! Check out the remaining events for this year & stay tuned for more details!
Cheshire Community Day @ Pierce Park | Aug. 18 | 2 - 4PM | Join us for games, crafts, friendship, sidewalk art show & events with the CVFD. Hot dogs will be served courtesy of Wegmans.
Community Yard Sale Weekend | Aug 24 & 25
Upcoming Concerts @ Pierce Park | 6 - 7:30PM
Open Mic with Henry Gitter | Aug. 13
The Lakeside Drifters | Aug. 27
Gale-Wyn Chicken BBQ Fundraiser @ Runnings | Sept. 21 @ 11AM
Halloween @ Onanda Park | Oct. 26 | 2 - 5PM | Don’t miss CCAT’s annual “Halloween House!”
"A Christmas Carol" Live with Kim Tenreio | Dec. 14 @ 2PM
“Hello Neighbors” from CCAT Board President, Geoff Hallstead I hope you are all enjoying the summer. The warm weather has been inviting with the rain being a nice respite if it doesn’t blast us like it did in July. Kudos to those who helped out their neighbors in the microburst. That is what Cheshire is all about. A big thank you as well to all of you who support CCAT and the theater project. You may have seen the progress being made as we get closer to restoring this beautiful lady to her rightful place as the gathering spot for the Cheshire community. I look forward to the time when we can once again have dances, plays and musical events from her grand stage. In the meantime, enjoy the summer weather, ice cream from A’s, adult beverages from Trowbridge’s, that perfect hairstyle from the Mad Hatter, snacks and propane for a cookout from the Company Store, while you peruse the great gifts at the Cheshire Union. As always if you have any questions about CCAT or would like to know how you can contribute, head to our website at CheshireCommunityActionTeam.org or you may call me at 585 729-4533. - Geoff Hallstead
Cheshire Theater & Meeting Hall (CTMH) Update Progress continues on the CTMH as we are presently doing the complete electrical and fire alarm installation. This work will most likely continue throughout the summer months. We are working toward securing our Certificate of Occupancy so we can then begin to present a venue of programs for both young and old the community will enjoy. We have a LONG WAY YET TO GO but the momentum is significant. Once our C of O is secured we can then also implement revenue generating fund raising events which will help us take the project to completion. - Fred & Nancy Goodnow
On Monday, November 11, enjoy a lasagna dinner with a side salad, Italian bread & chocolate chip cookie - choice of meat (ground beef/ground sausage) or vegetable (ricotta & spinach), all red sauce. Pre-orders are due by Friday, October 25, $15 per meal. Orders available for take-out only, at the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Dept. (4285 Route 21 South) between 4-6:30 PM on 11/11. Thank you very much for your support!
Meet Your Neighbors: George HerrenAn active Board Member of CCAT for 15 years, George Herren has been a Canandaigua Town resident for 50 years. Currently, his wife Carin (married 64 years) suffers from Alzheimers and resides in Highlands Living Center in Rochester receiving excellent care. They are proud parents of 3 sons: Galen, Loren and Keven.
George is a native of Cleveland, OH & a 1956 graduate of Ohio University (Masters Degree in Military Science & Tactics). Through his professional career of valuing real estate for property tax needs, he managed municipal evaluation projects in OH, TN & NY before deciding to settle in Canandaigua. George has Chaired the NYS Board of Real Property Tax Services for 4 governors & served as President & Board Chair of the 57 member NYS County Tax Directors Association. He also served his country for 28 years in the US Army Reserves, serving in the 1159 USAR School, 98TH Division, after assignments in the 81ST Division, 82ND Airborne Division, 83RD Division and 1st US Army Headquarters G3 Division, at Fort Meade MD. While providing both staffing and command roles for the Army Reserves, he retired from military responsibilities in 1984 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He currently serves as Umpire and Chief of the Irondequoit senior softball league, is Senior doorman-greeter for the Schnackey Players in Mendon, has completed nearly 52 years of perfect attendance with the Canandaigua Rotary Club, recently completed a 5 year tour as Deacon with the First Congressional Church of Canandaigua & is a charter member of the round table group of not for profit organizations with the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce. His 30 year playing career in softball ended in 2019 after being elected to the Greater Rochester Senior Softball Hall of Fame. He and the Ontario County Traffic Safety Board’s most worthy legislative contribution is passage of the NYS law allowing attachment of cameras to school buses’ stop signs, designed to reduce the approximately 50,000 illegal passings per year of school buses in NYS.
George and his entire family have exercised great pride in the greater Ontario County community for the past 50 years and trust that such a feeling will prevail indefinitely.
CCAT Summer Arts Program The CCAT team has been busy hosting the 2nd Annual Summer Arts Program and so far it has been a huge success! Special thank you to Valarie Quinn and Priscilla Crawford for coordinating this ambitious program, along with the following supporters:
Co-Sponsors: Budding Readers, Cheshire Union, Company Store, Cheshire Community Church, Cheshire Volunteer Fire Department, Lawngevity Lawn & Landscape, Inc., Crane Realty, Finger's Upholstery, Canandaigua Dentistry - Geoffry Hallstead, DMD, KB Construction, KC Helmet World, Mad Hatter Design, Rocky Ridge Maple Farms & Trowbridge Again Liquor & Wine
Art Instructors: Abby Castle, Dory Romanowski, Maddie Corsaro, Melissa Gillette, Sue Edwards, Pricscilla Crawford, Valarie Quinn & Steve Gilbert
Musicians: Dennis Crawford, Beth Carr, Chris Mahan, The Lakeside Drifters, Priscilla Crawford, John & Ben Acoustic Duo, Big Blue House & Henry Gitter
We’d love to hear from you! If you’d like to get involved or have questions, contact us at hello2ccat@gmail.com or visit us at CheshireCommunityActionTeam.org
