Several young Owego residents helped clean up the Baker Memorial Fountain on Sunday, Sept. 6. In the back row, from left, are Hunter Vanwagenen, Michaela Terry, Grayden Stanton, Jordan Vanwagenen and Sarah Terry; in the front row, from left, are Dawn Swartz, RaeAnn Craft, Lynkon Craft and Carter George. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
Several young Owego residents, along with Mayor Kevin Millar, pitched in to help clean the Baker Memorial Fountain on Sunday, Sept. 6. An idea initiated by eight year old Owego Elementary School student Grayden Stanton, who is interested in local history, the group of young people volunteered their time to clean the fountain and surrounding area.
On Sunday, Sept. 6, nine young Owego residents volunteered their time to clean the Baker Memorial Fountain and surrounding area, located near the Main Street side of Courthouse Square in the village. Often referred to as the “firemen’s statue,” the Baker Memorial Fountain features a fireman holding a child in the left arm and in the right hand a lantern.
Third grade Owego Elementary School (OES) student, Grayden Stanton, who is interested in Owego’s history, initiated the cleaning efforts. When Grayden recently visited the memorial fountain after learning about its significance to area history, he noticed it needed some cleaning and care.
“I wanted to help,” Grayden said.
Eight-year-old Grayden, along with his mother, Betsi, wrote a message to Mayor Kevin Millar and inquired if a clean-up day could be arranged. Millar approved the activity.
Along with eight of Grayden’s friends and classmates, all OES students and members of the Owego Junior Football and cheerleading groups, the youth group swept the surrounding area, carefully cleaned out stagnant water from the fountain and used all purpose cleaner to clean as far as their arms could reach. Mayor Millar pitched in to help, too, as did adult family members.
While cleaning the fountain, Grayden and his friends found loose change, and decided to donate the money to the Tioga County CROP Hunger Walk, which is being held on Sept. 27 in the Village of Owego.
The Baker Memorial Fountain is a memorial to one of Owego’s early fire chiefs. Frank Baker gave the fountain to the Village of Owego in 1914 in honor of his son, George H. Baker, who lost his life in an automobile accident. George Baker served as chief for two years in 1900 and 1901, and was a member of Defiance Hook & Ladder Company No. 5. Frank Baker served as chief in 1882.
The memorial fountain has since become a symbol of Owego’s firefighters who have served the community since 1828. In 2000, a rededication ceremony was held at the fountain following repairs and restoration work. Then Fire Chief William Delahanty had shared that the memorial fountain also stood for the spirit of volunteerism in Owego.
The memorial fountain and surrounding park area has also been used as a gathering place for special occasions, such as the annual 9-11 ceremony.
For Grayden Stanton and his friends, not only are they recognized for their volunteerism, but also for being good stewards and caring about area history.
