Submitted photo At the Cassadaga Volunteer Fire Department 2022 installation banquet, Cassadaga Mayor William Dorman gave the oath of office to incoming officers. Shown are Christopher Frank, 3rd Assistant Chief, Robert Frank Jr. 1st Assistant Chief, Mayor Dorman, Joshua Newark, Incoming Chief, Danielle Newark, EMS Captain, and Terry Penhollow, EMS Lieutenant. Seated is Robert Frank Sr., outgoing chief.

CASSADAGA — The Cassadaga Volunteer Fire Department recently held its 2022 installation banquet at the Cassadaga Fire Hall in the village.

The volunteer fire department was organized in 1924, and is in its 98th year of serving the village. Danna DuBois, vice president of the fire department, served as the master of ceremony, welcoming all to the banquet, and introducing those seated at the head table, many of the visitors and guests. Following the pledge of all allegiance, there was a moment of silence for two of the Cassadaga Fire Department members “who answered their last call of duty,” and the 140 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2021 throughout the U.S., and six already reported in 2022.

Special guests included Cassadaga Mayor William Dorman and his wife Viola, Cassadaga Deputy Mayor William Astry, Cassadaga Village Clerk Roxanne Astry, Cassadaga Village Deputy Clerk Bonita Mazzone and her husband Jon, Cassadaga Village Trustees Rachyl Krupa and Mark Wilson, Cassadaga Highway Superintendent Sam Alaimo, and Cassadaga Historian John Sipos and his wife Susan. Also included were bordering chiefs from Forestville Kyle Barthel and his wife Erin, from Sinclairville Andy Anderson, from Sheridan Chief Mitch Magierski, and Stockton Chief Jeremy Catanese and his wife Betty. The Honorary Life Members from Pine Bush Fire Department Bob Morgenthaler, Scott Morgenthaler, Ben Stanbro , Frank Garvey Sr. and Anthony Barruso and his wife Antoinette were recognized. Village Historian Sipos gave the invocation and blessing prior the meal. The meal was catered by the Super Duper Catering, and refreshments attendants were Don Kamman and daughter Nicole Burridge. The DJ was Anthony Barruso and his wife Antoinette.

Following the meal, outgoing chief Robert Frank Sr. gave his final report and many thank you messages to Astry, the Ladies Auxiliary, the assistant fire chief, Donna DuBois, the life members and the junior fire members. Frank told of the number of hours of training, and the number of calls during the year. He said that there were 972.5 man hours during the year. Recognized for years of longevity of years of service were Rex Goot for 25 years, Mike Lehnen for 30 years, Allen Parker for 40 years, Archie Colton for 40 years, John Kotar for 45 years, and Cliff Smith for 60 years.

The top 10 responders for 2021 were Terry Penhollow as the first, followed by Mike Lehnen, Andy Hastings, Archie Colton, Danna DuBois, Christopher Frank, Brett Zarczynski, David Muscato, Kaitlin Trippy, and Kevin Peebles. The junior members were recognized, and roses were presented to the many members of the Ladies Auxiliary. Perk Newell spoke on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary. It was said that, “We have the best auxiliary.” Dorman then gave the oath of office to the 2022 incoming officers. Outgoing chief Robert Frank Sr. gave his badge to the incoming chief Joshua Newark. The first assistant chief is Robert Frank Jr., third assistant chief is Christopher Frank, EMS Captain is Danielle Newark and EMS Lieutenant is Terry Penhollow.

The Village of Cassadaga was incorporated on January 9, 1921, 101 years ago, so that a fire department could be formed.