The Candor Historical Society has been busy planning this year’s events. If you’ve already missed their Winter/Spring talks, don’t worry, there is much more being planned for which you can attend – all free and open to the public. This includes their annual picnic in August.
Did you know that the Candor History Center is now open to the public Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, except the third Monday, when a group of volunteers are busy maintaining the collections? Monday evening hours are through appointment only, by calling Georgia Westgate at (607) 659-7769. Feel free to stop by, check out the many notebooks from various Candorites, and the Town Historian’s major collections on various events, family genealogy, businesses, the schools, churches, pictures, and much more.
One of the main focuses of the Historical Society is renovating the old Candor Grange Hall, now the Candor History Center, to make it into a prominent cultural center that will be a safe, secure facility for the public to visit, or do research. Although the Historical Society has been busy seeking grants, they haven’t been successful to date. They have been soliciting small donations at their talk/events, but are in the process of ramping up their efforts to obtain major contributions, specifically for the ‘Help Fund the Candor History Center Renovation Project’.
Working with architects, contractors, and knowledgeable volunteers to determine overall needs, the following list of immediate needs includes: Electrical Upgrade to Code and Security Features, Upgrade Bathroom Facilities, Handicap Accessibility, Insulation, Siding, Windows, and Doors. Volunteers have pitched in to help maintain the building over the last couple of years. A special thank you goes out to Candor Home Central for their donation of time and work on helping to remove and transport various items from the Center so that other renovation projects can take place.
Those wishing to contribute to the fund can make checks payable to the Candor Historical Society, P.O. Box 585, Candor, New York 13743, or use the “donate” button on the website, www.candorhistoricalsociety.weebly.com; or on Facebook, www.facebok.com/CandorNYhistory/.
The Historical Society has participated in several community events over the years. This year they will be at the Daffodil Festival, planned for May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Ball Diamond, located on the Spencer Road. Their promotional items will be on sale, as well as various Candor history books.
This year, the Historical Society has teamed up with the Candor Valley Riders Snowmobile Club to host the annual Father’s Day Chicken BBQ, previously sponsored by the Candor Masonic Lodge #411. The event will be taking place on Saturday, June 5, so the volunteers barbecuing can be home with their family on Father’s Day. Pick up time will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beebe’s Sap House, located at 809 Spencer Rd. Tickets are pre-sale only, and will be on sale at the Historical Society booth during the Daffodil Festival, or from any Society Board member. They will not be available the day of the BBQ, so best to get your tickets early.
Another local community event that the Historical Society participates in is the Route 96 Flea Fix. Again this year they will be set up at their location at the old Catatonk Community Hall in Catatonk, Route 96, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13. They are accepting donations of items for their yard sale (no clothes, please). Items can be dropped off at the Catatonk Hall or Candor History Center on Thursday, July 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. On Friday, July 12, drop off is only at the Catatonk Hall from 8 to 10 a.m.
And then there is the Candor Fall Festival – a bake sale and open house at the new Candor History Center on Main Street, on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and a Cemetery Walk with Phil Jordan at Maple Grove Cemetery on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.
Program Planning is an on-going project at the Historical Society’s monthly Board meetings. Coming up with topics related to Candor’s history, and presenting interesting programs and speakers is key. The following programs have already been presented this year: Memories of Marion Kelsey, Candor High School’s Environthon program, and the history of the Iron Kettle Farm. But there is much more to come.
On May 29, they return to the High School where award winning technology teacher, Steven Lindridge, will give a tour of his classroom and explain the use of the various tools and machines.
On June 26, as part of the Annual Business Meeting, the Candor History Center will be open to the public for a special tour of the facilities where everyone can discover what is available.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, everyone is invited to attend their annual Historical Society dish-to-pass picnic at Moyer Park at noon, and to bring historical items to share – a great show-and-tell event.
On Sept. 25, Tom McEnteer will be on hand to showcase slides about Tioga County Railroads at the Candor Fire Hall and on Oct. 23, Phil Jordan will give an interesting account of Remembrances from the Funeral Business, also at the Fire Hall.
For more information and updates on what the Candor Historical Society is up to, pick up a new brochure at their Daffodil Festival booth or visit them at www.candorhistoricalsociety.weebly.com.
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