By Stephen Smoot
At 6 p.m. Jeffrey Bowers, president of the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department, strode to the podium. He whistled, then hollered “May I have everyone’s attention!”
For the past 30 minutes leading up to that moment, smiling faces of all ages from babies to seniors strode in. Firefighters and rescue squad members from the area and across the county came to help SFVFD celebrate another year of exemplary service. Joining them were families, friends, and elected representatives West Virginia State Senators Bill Hamilton and Robbie Morris, as well as Carl Hevener, Pendleton County commissioner.
More than 100 came to the dinner at which awards were conferred and officers vested for another year of service. Many enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres laid out, a selection of cut fruits, vegetables, and cheeses were available. On the table for each attendee awaited small maple leaf shaped bottles of Cool Hollow Maple farm syrup.
On the minds of all were the worsening drought conditions afflicting the area and threatening to spark wildfires.
After Bowers called the attendees to give him attention, he informed the gathering that “we’ll keep this running along. We want to make this shorter to get people back on the road and not kill as many deer.”
“I will make mistakes,” he warned, “but if you laugh at any of my mistakes, it will make it go longer!”
Nathan Parker provided the blessing for the gathering and the food, emphasizing, “Thank You that no one was seriously injured this year.”
Dinner was catered by Buffalo Snow, whose work has proved popular in recent years with first responder dinners. They provided a full buffet of ham, roast beef, big pieces of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, and rolls with a wide variety of goodies for dessert provided by Donna Evick.
Mike Eye also saved the day by getting an alternative sound system in place so that speakers could be heard easily.
To open the presentations, Bowers asked the Buffalo Snow team to come out and receive a well-earned round of applause from those who had just enjoyed the delicious meal.
Traditionally, the Sugar Grove “Our Five Boys” Veterans of Foreign Wars Post comes to deliver a set of awards from their organization. Steven O’Toole, quartermaster, and George Armstrong, junior vice commander and “commander many years before that,” rose to honor the recipients.
The first commendation went to 13-year EMT veteran Donna Bowers, who “takes every late night shift” that she can to ensure coverage even in the middle of the night. Richard Nelson and Timothy “Bucky” Thompson also earned recognition from the VFW.
Jerry Bowers came to the front to install the officers and administer the oath of office.
For the fire company itself, Roy Bowers remains at chief, Seth Bowers as assistant chief, Mark Swigunski as captain, Tim Hook as lieutenant, and Parker will remain as training officer.
For the administrative positions, president will continue to be Jeffrey Bowers, Parker as vice president, Dennis Knicely as secretary, Mary Ann Nelson, treasurer, and Eye as fire report officer.
Patricia Bodkin will serve as president of the auxiliary, Michelle Copley first vice president, Jane Simon second vice president, Judy Grimm secretary, and Sheila Davis treasurer.
Roy Bowers then came forward to give a report on the previous year of service. He shared that “we had a couple of major fires this year,” then added that the SFVFD had purchased new equipment, received a tanker, and passed an ISO inspection. He shared that years ago Nila Bland, who performed most of the administrative tasks for the station before she passed, had said, “You’ll miss me when I am gone.”
She would handle the paperwork and mandated reports on her own with both speed and accuracy. Roy Bowers shared that a team of six undertook the job that Bland once did on her own.
Bodkin stood to speak for the auxiliary. She called the annual lawn party fundraiser “a giant success” and made sure to “thank everyone who donated time, supplies, and ideas.” The auxiliary also bought a small shed to store lawn party items in. “Success,” she said “is built on teamwork, compassion, and commitment.”
“I’m excited for what we’ll accomplish next,” she added.
When she concluded, Jeffrey Bowers said, “Now you know what the backbone of this place is. They make it a lot easier for us.” Chief Roy Bowers shared that “Dwayne Lewis would say ‘You don’t have an auxiliary, you don’t have much of a fire department.’ They ask us for very little in return.”
Exemplary members of the SFVFD organization received awards as well. Marcus Ruddle received firefighter of the year, Hook was named “most dedicated,” and Bob Grimm “outstanding member of the community.”
Cayden Boone won twice that evening. In absentia he received junior firefighter of the year and also was named Pendleton County High School prom king.
Additional thanks went to Doug Pitsenbarger for his 54th year of service, the longest active fireman in consecutive years. Lyle Hartman and Ruddle were thanked for their landscaping work to keep the surroundings beautiful.
Jeffrey Bowers then spoke to dispel a rumor, stating that they would not be relinquishing their ambulance. “It’s a rumor. It did not come from this fire department.”
Special guests Hevener, Hamilton, and Morris then had the opportunity to share a few words.
With bellies full, awards given, and light fading outside, the gathering prepared to leave. Just as Jeffrey Bowers called for the adjournment, dozens of alarms sounded around the room.
Those in uniform thus prepared to leave, not for home, but on another call to help preserve lives and property.
