When Catharine Young left her role as state senator for the 57th District in late February, there was a sense of shock from area leaders as well as her constituents. No one really saw it coming.

So it was fitting that earlier this month at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, our region and the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce were able to offer a bit of gratitude for the senator’s work. Young was a guest at the State Legislative Breakfast on April 12 in her new role as director of the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech. During the question-and-answer session, she made it clear she will continue to represent this area, especially when it comes to the farming community.

Before the end of the event, Young was presented with a gift basket of county products by the chamber and a U.S. flag by Korean War veteran Peter Carlo in salute of her service to the residents. “It was my honor to represent the people of this region,” she said that Friday morning.

Her efforts and caring will not be forgotten.