1950 - 1990
It was October, 1950 when Churchville was visited by a Special Representative of Lions Clubs International, Archie Hosburgh. Archie’s job was to recruit locals to start up Lions Clubs in their respective communities, thus joining the world's largest service organization. One of Archie's first stops was at the hardware shop where Fran Ehrmentraut and Ben Daycock were working and who, of course, would welcome any excuse to stop and chat.
That discussion produced a list of prospective businessmen and neighbors who might be interested in the spirit of Lionism. Archie had to be a super salesman, because he convinced enough of that group that such a Club could succeed. Since the motto of Lions International is “WE SERVE," the sense of community bond and service tied their individual energies into one. And so, with the Gates Lions Club as its sponsor, the Churchville Lions Club was chartered in November, 1950 with Gordon Johnson chosen as the Club's first president. With 29 charter members, Charter Night was held on January 23, 1951. The dues were $12.00 a year.
While there were many skeptics who thought the Club did not have a chance to succeed, history has shown them to be wrong. As with any organization, there is always a central core of individuals who possess enough dedication, enthusiasm, and desire to sustain the entire group. That charter roster contained many such individuals who started the many traditions we have today: Les Bater, Don Berle, Ben Daycock, Fran Ehrmentraut, Hy Fults, Gordon Johnson, Ralph Kendall, Leo Kruze, Leo Pancoast, El Wolfrom, Bob Zorn and Leo Zuch. They all became active Lions, took positions of leadership, and encouraged enough of their friends and neighbors to join the Club. Later, men like Carl Gartz, John Turner, Tom Hammel, Bob Zimmerman, Jim and Bob Ludwig, Glen Bater, Charlie and Ed Sadden, and Jim Rieflin extended themselves for the betterment of their community.
Lions are best known for their avid participation in programs to aid the blind and visually impaired. The Churchville Lions Club has actively supported the Leader Dog program over the years as well as the Batavia School for the Blind. In fact, when New York State was going to close that facility years back, Churchville Lions wrote letters to their elected officials and still help to keep the school in operation with their donations. The Club collects used eyeglasses as well as providing eye examinations for needy neighbors. The Club annually donates to the Riga Free Library and has purchased braille writers, large-print editions, and Books-On-Tape. The Club has historically provided leadership and support for the Journey For Sight.
For over 30 years, charter member Fran Ehrmentraut was co-chairman of the Club's medical loan closet. Crutches, canes, wheelchairs, hospital beds and all kinds of medical equipment were loaned out from Ehrmentraut’s Hardware. ln 1980, because of the need for additional space, the "closet" was moved to Lion Tim McElligott's garage. The club constantly upgrades the medical equipment with new purchases and gladly accepts used items from the community.
The Churchville Lions Club also actively supports the Empire State Speech and Hearing Clinic. The clinic offers a unique camping experience for the communicatively handicapped. Each spring a contingent of Churchville Lions has traveled to the camp near Ithaca to build new lodging, repair and paint existing facilities and do whatever tasks need to be done.
When the flood hit Elmira in 1972, many Churchville Lions went to the aid of their fellow New Yorkers. Over the years, the Churchville Lions “Contractors Crew” has become very adept at building ramps for the handicapped whether it be at the Library or at a residence. The Club has been instrumental in the construction of two pavilions (the Olmstead pavilion at Sprucewood Nature Center and the pavilion at the Town Recreation Center) as well as the storage shed and viewing platform at Sprucewood. Churchville Lions have been sighted painting houses and barns when the need has arisen. Past president Jack Muchler sums it up this way: "Our function is to be there to help our Riga friends and neighbors when they need assistance and to foster a strong feeling of community. Service to one's neighbor gives real meaning and purpose to life."
A majority of Churchville Lion activity is channeled in support of our children and the young. Past President Bob Strohmeyer echoes the sentiments of all Lions: "Our youth are our future, and we must endeavor to direct them toward becoming responsible young citizens. We can only do it through our encouragement and through our example."
ln this endeavor, Churchville Lions provide substantial monetary support to the Churchville-Chili Schools as well as the Churchville Youth Association. Over the years, the Club has sponsored pee-wee hockey in Brockport and little league baseball teams, and many Lions are active in Scouting. The Club has annually held the very popular Halloween parade and party to show our commitment to providing clean, safe fun for all kids. One of the bright spots of our winter season is the annual ice skating races where medals and prizes are earned in very competitive races for all age groups. Recently, to honor Past President and long-time co-chairman of the skating party, the Neil Stewart Memorial Race was started. This race is only open to members of the Churchville Lions Club, and the winner's name is engraved on a plaque.
To further demonstrate our complete involvement with our youth, since 1985 the Club has invested heavily in the Lions Quest Program. The Club has also worked very closely with other local organizations like CCARASA to deal with the drug and substance abuses that can plague our community.
To carry out these meaningful service programs requires a significant dollar expense each year. Funding has been obtained through a variety of events. For over 30 years, a community birthday/anniversary calendar sale has been held each September. Also, for about 30 years, the first weekend in May has seen Churchville Lions selling light bulbs door to door. Other fund-raising events have included chicken barbecues, armchair horse races, clambakes, euchre tournaments, and raffles too numerous to remember.
The Churchville Lions Club prides itself on being a club focused on the entire family. Regular ladies' nights provide dinners out and socialization. Our annual Fall Sports Night was started in 1980 and provides our children the opportunity to see and hear local sports personalities like Joe Altobelli and current Red Wing Baseball or Rochester American Hockey players. Picnics and parties of all kinds have strengthened that original bond of community.
And so, from that simple beginning four decades ago, the Churchville Lions Club has indeed come a long way. So many men of very diverse backgrounds and professions have stepped forward in service to their fellow man. It is with deep pride and thanks that we now honor each and every one of them. Their dedication has firmly established the Churchville Lions Club as one of the premier clubs in our District. It is also with great pride that in this, the Club's 40th year, we loudly applaud the Club's first District Governor, John Rabideau, for his tireless efforts in promoting Lionism. District Governor and past President John, a Churchville Lion for 17 years, says: “We must keep helping others -- it's as simple as that. Although we've come this far and touched so many lives, we can do so much more."
History 75th Anniversary Program
Chapter 2 1990 to 2025
In Chapter 1 of the history of our club, 1950 to 1990, the Churchville Lions Club had established itself as one of the premier clubs in our New York State Multiple District. Now in Chapter 2, we proudly proclaim we have produced two District Governors: John Rabideau (1990-1991 ) and Peter Neidrauer (2004-2005 ); as well as an International Director John Rabideau (2002-2004). Past International Director, Past District Governor and Past Club President, Life Member John, now a 52 year club member, had ended Chapter One by saying: “We must keep helping others – it’s as simple as that. Although we’ve come this far and touched so many lives, we can do so much more.”
Apparently the Churchville Lions Club took those words to heart as the next 3 decades saw the club surge in both activities and membership. The club became super involved in a number of activities that had a tremendous impact on our local community. The Churchville Lions Country Fair; the Churchville-Chili Community Music Festival; the Riga Winterfest; the Churchville-Chili LEO Club and a greatly expanded Medical Loan Closet became significant activities in the Churchville-Riga community. With those expanded activities we also saw club membership soar, peaking to 76 in 2004. Our Club had recognized that our Lions organization was not just a “ good old boys “ group anymore and started to include spouses and children into our membership ranks.
The Churchville Lions Club Medical loan closet has become an important staple in our community since our club was formed.
From those humble beginnings in Fran Ehrmentraut’s Hardware Store and then Tim McElligott’s garage, the Churchville Lions expanded their medical loan closet in the 1990’s thanks to a generous donation from the Redfern and Shakeshaft estate. A permanent building was constructed at the Riga Highway Department location on Buffalo Road. This building is full of all types of medical equipment and when it is full we simply replace older items with newer equipment and donate those older items to other Lions Clubs or third world countries that need them. Supply Sergeants George Beldue and Bob deNormand were in charge of the loan closet for 2 decades and now Joe DeLeo maintains the closet with help from Jim Ehrmentraut, Barry Nobles, Randy Kehl and others. Items are lent out free of charge and generous donations of both equipment and money are happily received from grateful residents; making our medical loan closet a self-sustaining activity. And our Contractor Crew also continues to build ramps when needed by our area neighbors and maintain the storage building itself.
The motto of Lions International is ‘We Serve’” And serve we have. We cannot begin to count the number of chickens that we have served up to the Churchville-Riga community through our now famous Chicken BBQ. The original chicken bbq was a simple affair done in front of the library on Main St. at the 4 corners of the Village. Lion George Wright had the makings of a grill that was used to cook a few hundred chickens. That original crew consisted of Don Jones, Jim Rieflin, Tim McElligott, John Rabideau and Tim Rowe.
The BBQ has always enjoyed a great response from the community and now most folks know when they see the scared chicken cutout in the village that a pre-sale ticket is imperative if you want a chicken bbq that day.
Before 1990 Churchville resident Steve Valvano had started up the Churchville-Chili Music Boosters Club. When that club was firmly established he approached Lion Mike Morris, then the Superintendent of Grounds for the school district, and asked about the possibility of having a Community Music Festival. The festival was to feature concerts by the District’s Student Instrumental and Vocal Groups. The purpose was to showcase the District’s high caliber music program which has amassed many awards over the years. Since this was to be an all day event Steve then requested the Churchville Lions have their Chicken BBQ on hand to feed hungry parents, students and festival goers. Thus on June 2, 1996 the first Community Music Festival was held. The Lions sold chickens at $ 5.00 and quickly sold out. After that success the Festival only grew to include all levels of students from each school in the District. The Lions kept selling more and more chickens and had to build their own larger grill to cook more chickens. Eventually the peak reached 1000 chickens and no one went home hungry. When the school district changed the Festival format with the completion of the new Performing Arts Center and food trucks were now introduced the Lions Music Festival bbq was ended.
In 1982 the parishioners at St. Vincent DePaul Church had started a summer festival and carnival to raise funds for much needed improvements. The Lions BBQ was then a fixture at that festival also. After a 10 year run the church decided to end that activity. It was then that the Churchville Lions decided to take over the event, calling it a Country Fair. The food concessions, craft vendors, entertainment, cash raffle,
fireworksdisplay and of course the chicken bbq continued. The original BBQ team had added Jim Ehrmentraut, Bill Brunelle, Jim Fodge, Bill Maysick, Bill Keidel, Ray Jackling, Randy Kehl, Joe DeLeo, Rick Elliott, the Neidrauers and the Rabideaus. After the Lions subsequently introduced a rural theme of antique tractors with a tractor pulling contest, a 5K walk and run as well as a huge parade the Fair was turned into the social highlight of the Riga summer season.
Monroe County had maintained an ice skating rink at Churchville Park during the winter months. The rink was in constant use by families and hockey teams and the Churchville Lions under the leadership of Lion Neil Stewart then started holding Ice Skating races – open to skaters of all ages. The last Sunday in January saw hundreds of students and parents competing for trophies, medals and bragging rights. The BBQ team got into the act and started a winter chicken bbq. The cars lined up after church services and the drive through bbq was usually sold out within minutes.
When Camp Abilities in Brockport was started 30 years ago the Lions have gone annually to prepare a pancake breakfast for the campers and counselors. Several years back the club then added a grilled chicken sandwich lunch to the day’s activity. Lions Allyn Barnard and now Jim Ehrmentraut are chief chefs for the event with many Lions working the two serving lines.
The club has always been a strong advocacy for our youth and school district, funding scholarships, Scouts and drug programs. The Lions have built playgrounds at the Elementary Schools, Sprucewood Nature Center and pavilion. In fall 1997 Lion Marty Molinari started the Churchville-Chili LEO Club in the 7 and 8 grades. With strong support from the Lions the LEO Club quickly grew and flourished to then include grades 9 thru 12, making it unique among the District’s LEO Clubs. The LEO Club had immediately embarked on a wide variety of community service activities. The LEOS went to the Ronald McDonald House monthly to prepare a dinner meal for the families staying there as well as the volunteer staff. The LEOS went to the Batavia School For The Blind to attend parties and activities and social interaction with the students there. An annual benefit basketball game called March Mayhem continues to provide financial support for needy families with a fun filled activity for all involved. Lion Mike Hammel operated the scoreboard and his son, Tom, a former LEO, acted as referee for several years to insure the Mayhem was fun and competitive.
The LEOS have run donation drives to support Open Door Mission, Lollypop Farm and local food pantries. The LEOS are also fixtures at many community and school-related activities as well as Riga Rec Halloween Parade and Easter Egg Hunt. Now starting it’s 28th year of introducing students to the concept of community service activities, the LEO Club has proudly produced numerous responsible adults who are now making a strong difference in their communities.
For 15+ years the LEO Club had participated in the Westside Relay For Life, raising funds for the American Cancer Society. When the event was completely rained out in 2015 and with the support of Lion and Mayor Nancy Steedman the LEOs started the annual Churchville Luminaria Ceremony which concludes the Riga Rec summer concert series in August. The LEO Club members decorate the luminaria bags sold to honor survivors and honor the memory of those lost to cancer.
For 25 years the LEO Club went to the Ronald McDonald House each month to prepare a chicken vegetable casserole dinner for the families staying there. Then the Covid shutdown ended that streak and when our society and life eventually re-emerged, the issue of transportation became a significant obstacle to the LEO Club. Our school district, like every school district, had lost it’s cadre of part-time bus drivers and numerous after school activities were terminated. The Churchville Lions Club wanted to continue the meal preparation; so teams of Lion members were formed, and now the tradition of making that chicken vegetable casserole continues to feed 3 dozen Ronald McDonald families each month. Lions Jim Ehrmentraut and Bob Weitz now purchase the food required in bulk so the cost to the club is not prohibitive.
The Churchville Lions Club has always maintained a close working relationship with the Churchville Volunteer Fire Department. When the Fire Department needed funds to purchase expensive equipment such as the Jaws of Life and a Heart Compression Machine they looked to the Churchville Lions Club to split those costs with them and the Lions responded. Current Lions members such as Jim Ehrmentraut and Jim and Sheila Fodge are still active members. Jim Van Hoesen and Jack and Marsha Clark were active in both community groups in the past.
The Churchville Lions Club has also worked very well with the Town of Riga. Working very well as in Lions members also being Town Supervisors, Town Board members and Highway Superintendents. When Lion Richard McNeely was Highway Superintendent he had the vision which has produced Town Parks at South Sanford Road and the aptly named Richard McNeely Park on Buffalo Road right next to the Highway Department building. The Lions Club had built the pavilion at South Sanford Road Park and had assisted in the construction of the Maher Lodge. So when it was time to landscape the grounds the Lions created a Memorial Park now planting trees in memory of deceased Lion members.
The Churchville Lions Club has always worked very well with the Village of Churchville. Working very well in that at least three Lions members served as Mayor of the Village, namely Joe Carr, Don Ehrmentraut and Nancy Steedman. In recognition of the club’s efforts the Village dedicated the bridge on North Main Street over Black Creek as “The Churchville Lions Centennial Bridge “in 2000. And as evidenced by the 2017 Program for the 34th Annual Awards Dinner of the Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce, the Churchville Lions Club received the Community Service Award in 1993. Additionally numerous Lion members had previously been recognized as Citizens of the Year and Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year.
The Lions and LEO Clubs have also teamed with Riga Recreation for many annual events: The Easter Egg Hunts, the Halloween parades, the Winterfests. For two years when Churchville resident Theresa Wood organized the Riga Rec summer Patriot Camps the Lions and LEO clubs were in full support of that wonderful activity.
In 2008 Lion John Rabideau proposed the idea of a Village of Churchville Memorial Park behind the Village offices near the now Nancy Steedman gazebo. Plans were discussed and made for a rock wall and memorial brick path on the premises. Construction was begun on a rock wall in 2010 with Lions Dave Becker, Jim Ehrmentraut, Ray Jackling, and Brad O’Brochta. When Ray Jackiling informed the club that the Riga farm providing the rocks had no more rocks, Marty Molinari asked if Riga would accept rocks from his hedgerows in Ogden. For several days the Lions cleared up those hedgerows, discovered where the poison ivy was located and the rock wall was soon completed. The Dedication Ceremony was held on June 27, 2012 with the start of the Town and Village Concert Series. This site is now the location for the annual Village of Churchville Luminaria Ceremony now at 11 years and counting.
The Lions continue to be strong advocates for the blind and visually impaired and now include the deaf and disabled. We support many health advocacy related fundraising efforts such as Tour deCure, Parkinson’s Association, American Cancer Society, etc. Our Churchville Lions previously went to Camp Badger annually to improve the property and the accommodation conditions there. Today we provide funds instead of man power to keep the Camp operating as a summer haven for our youth.
The first two decades of the 21st century saw the Churchville Lions make an indelible mark on the local Churchville Riga community and beyond. The club was going strong and then
the Covid pandemic shutdown of 2020 changed our normal life routines. For two years the Lions Club was sustained via Zoom meetings until our society has slowly returned to pre-Covid activity. It was then that the members had determined that the complete and total effort required to sustain the Country Fair could no longer be sustained by the present membership. It is now our hope that the Initial Chamber of Commerce Summer Fest held August 16, 2025 rekindles that community social event, inspiring the next generation of community members.
The fundraising activities of the past; the Light Bulb sale and the Birthday Calendar sale have been replaced with the Chicken BBQs. Currently under the direction of Jim Ehrmentraut, the Lions still do chicken bbqs as that has become the integral part of our fundraising efforts. The current bbq team consists of most club members as many hands are needed to prepare and serve the many chickens sold and has enabled the club to sustain the generous amounts donated back to our community each year. Also events like the Waste Management Open House keep the Grilling Team serving up hots and burgers to the delight of the surrounding community.
We cannot end this chapter in the history of the Churchville Lions Club without a special acknowledgement of thanks to Jim and Sheila Fodge. For decades the BBQs, Country Fairs and similar activities simply could not have happened without the specialized equipment provided by Jim’s Service (tow trucks, fork lifts, refrigerator truck, etc). We must also acknowledge that the Churchville Lions Club was able to accomplish its mission of service with the dedication of many members. Then for a variety of reasons some very dedicated individuals were not able to maintain their club membership. We thank them and acknowledge their years of service for the betterment of our community. And so it is with deep pride that the Churchville Lions Club celebrates 75 years of community service, friendship and continued impact to our local community and beyond. Today we happily celebrate our rich history and look forward to a bright future of continued community service.
Lion Marty Molinari
