WEST POTSDAM -- The West Potsdam First Responders held their seventh annual Memory Tree Lighting Ceremony recently, and recognized the 50th anniversary of the department.

The ceremony, at the intersection of CR 34 and CR 35 on a rainy and wet night with temperature at 42 degrees, was attended by more than 40 members of the West Potsdam community and surrounding area.

Fire Captain Scott Niles dedicated the tree in memory of past firefighters, friends and family.

After the dedication, David Sandford, lit the tree, which was decorated the last week of November.

After a prayer, a small speech and the lighting, the group returned to the station to get out of the weather. Niles read the 63 sponsors and the 166 friends and family members to be remembered.

The West Potsdam Ladies Auxiliary provided refreshments.

Pictures can be found on the West Potsdam 1st Responders Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestPotsdam1stResponders.

SPONSOR IN MEMORY OF:

Ron and Rosemary Forbes Charles Forbes; Bernard Weaver; Barb Emerson; Mary Ellen Miller; Steve Luther

Andrew Miller and Family Jean Miller; Roger Miller; Richard and Elsie Miller; Linda Oney

Margaret Vaughn Norman and Barbara Vaughn

Kathleen Leone Garrett Phillips

Susan Cole Irene LayBoult

Lora Smith Ann and Stan Howlett

Joan Garner George Garner

Wanda Keleher David Keleher and Travis Brundage

Heather Wheeler Ed Clark

Sharlow Family Luellae

Kim Clark Dani Jacot; Gordonna Kelley; Jay Smith; Christian House

Scott Miller Roger Miller

Miller Family Richard and Elsie Miller

Scott, Cindy and Roy and Florence Brabaw; Donald W. Sharlow, Michael Sharlow; Scott, Jr. Niles Jack and Carol Hall; Glen Niles; Doris Hayward; Josh (Crusher) Ayrassian; and Althea Perry

Deborah Hart Elmer and Patricia Lohr, Lester and Mildred Farmer, Ms. Betty Cleaver and Timothy Curran

Leland Martin For all that have left us.

Benjamin Matott For all that have left us.

Scott D & Mary Alice D. Minor Lawrence Duesterhaus

Jennifer Jones & Family Clarence Woodwood

Bill and Betty Grant Elizabeth Cutler; Marguerite Grant; Barbara Emerson; Mary Ann Miller; Harold Wilson, Ross Logan and Amy and Guy Blanchard

Anonymous For all that have left us.

Todd and Tara Planty Corlena M. Nichols

Sue and Larry Sheridan Wava and Charlie Darling and Larry Sheridan, Sr. and Dale Rombough

Gary, Chris & Scott Grant Donald and Carolyn Perry; Jay and Roberta Warner

Agnes Bonno Paul Bonno, Leonard Bonno, Georaye Bonno, Lottie Bonno, Gilbert Bonno and Earl Bonno; Howard and Helen Butterfield, Anna Butterfield, Edison and Mary Richards

Ric Miller Mary Ann Miller

Fay and Cindy Sheldon William Barnes; Guy and Amy Blanchard; Bruce Martin; Bill and Lucy Bates; Dale Sochia; Franklin and Kathleen Sheldon

Ardis Barnes Bill and Bernice and Raymond Barnes; Marion and Edwin Richardson; Otis Richardson; Adalaide Steele; Jerald and Helen Richardson; Earl Richardson (MIA); Betty Blanchard; Bessie and Amy Blanchard; Ruth Penrose; Jean Martin; Ula Armstrong; Norma Jean and Doug Burkhart; Hattie Armstrong; Kenneth Armstrong; Hilda Armstrong; Lula Armstrong Smith; Grandpa Smith and Vivian Hayes

Brad & Marsha Clements Robert Frederick Clements and Edwin Francis Farr and Family

Beverly Brownell Raymond and Burnice Barnes; Bill Barnes

Mary Akley LeRoy Akley, Darwin and Theresa Desmond, Elbert and Sarah Akley, Stacy Dominy; Charles and Alice Desmond, Elbert, Sarah and Elmer Akley; Earl and Inglee Akley, Darwin and Nellie Hill; Robert and Ella Desmond, John and Ella Desmond; and Lora Hill

Jane and Tom Plastino Paul Haggerty; Pearl Gilson; and Cecil Matthie

Ardie Richardson Helen and Gerald Richardson; Dewey Pierce; Marge and Ben Pierce; Dot and Herb Pooley; Marion Richardson

Jerry and Alice Dibble, Jr. Leaola Daniels and Jerry Dibble, Sr.; Raymond and Trisa Dibble; Kenneth and Helena French

Sandie Barner Grace Downs, Larry Barner and Thomas Allerton

Wayne J. Green Francis and Dorothy Green, Bob and Nonie White, and Margaret Mathney

Wayne D. “Duffer” and Raymond and Shirley Tucker and Paul and Anita Smith; Jay Smith Jennifer & Family Francis and Dorothy Green

Jill Marie Rice Jason M. Wing and Garrett J. Phillips

Marsha and Mike Hollinger Patricia Bradley, Norman Vaughn, Barbara Jean Vaughn

Marion McIntosh Dr. and Mrs. Ludwig Auerbach

Charlene LaRose Keith LaRose, Eleanor Delosh, Ed LaRose, and Emma Trimm

Charles and Sarah Bates Bill and Lucy Bates; Cindy and Paul Fobare; Nick and Mary Nichols; Charles Fobare and Ross Logan

The Family of Ross Logan Ross Logan