FRITZ SCHERZ TO HOLD 5TH ANNUAL TOWN-WIDE HOLIDAY PARTY!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board, will hold his 5^th Annual Holiday Party for all Town of Verona residents on Sunday, December 14^th from 1pm to 3pm at the Verona Fire Hall (5555 Volunteer Ave.) in Verona.

“The last four years I’ve held this community event, it’s been a success because of the big crowd of children and adults that attended, as well as the volunteers, businesses, and media that helped out,” said Scherz.  “Although I’m not finished putting together the complete fun-filled lineup of activities and guests, as with prior years I plan on having a bunch of kid-oriented activities, such as arts, crafts, and painting. There’ll be story telling by some very special guests, too. Family-oriented fun will continue to be part of this holiday event, as there’ll be Magic by Matt Episcopo and face painting by Bingo the Clown.  Hopefully, Santa Claus will take time out of his busy schedule to attend. I also want people to know that as with the last four years I’ve held this event, no town funds are being used for it whatsoever as this is not a government-based event.  I encourage all residents of Verona, no matter what your age is, to stop by and take part in the festivities!”

The Holiday Party for all Town of Verona residents has free admission and snacks will also be available. If able, attendees are asked to bring a canned good, as a collection will be taken and given to the Verona Food Pantry. For more details, go to: www.fritzscherz.com and/or contact Fritz at: fritz@fritzscherz.com and/or (315) 363-3509. If any businesses want to inquire about making a donation, please contact Fritz.

#  #  #

COUNCILMAN SCHERZ ANNOUNCES WINNER OF 5th ANNUAL FRED SCHERZ SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board in Verona, NY, announced today that he has selected Tess Lohr of Durhamville as the winner of the 5^th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service.  Ms. Lohr has volunteered for the food pantries at local churches, performed community service for Our Lady’s Sodality through Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, helped and entertained senior citizens at the Hazel Carpenter Home, and she held a bake sale for the Town of Verona Summer Recreational Program. Through the Odyssey Sport Soccer Club, Ms. Lohr volunteered as assistant coach for two separate programs, ‘Lil Kickers and Jr. Odyssey Development Academy. As part of the National Honor Society, she performed hours of community service that ranged from setting up for dance competitions or other events held VVS High School as well as worked in the concession booth during sporting events and assisted with Community Day. She also took part in Math Buddies, where she regularly visited J.D. George Elementary School in Verona to help children with their math lessons. As winner of this award, Ms. Lohr received a certificate of accomplishment and a check for $250.

“Upon reviewing Ms. Lohr’s application, I was quite impressed,” said Scherz.  “It’s obvious Tess cares about not only the Verona community, but the surrounding areas as well, as her volunteerism has extended beyond the Town of Veron.  She is very active in helping others, which I think is fantastic! I congratulate Tess for not only winning the scholarship, but for also setting a great example for others to follow.  On a personal note, I know my Dad would’ve been impressed with Ms. Lohr’s volunteer efforts!”

For more details on the 5^th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service, visit Fritz’s

website at:  www.fritzscherz.com, his Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzscherz, his blog at: www.fritzscherz.blogspot.com, or call: (315) 363-3509. 

#  #  #

A song, a short drive, a pair of mourning doves, and a cardinal chorus

April 13, 2014

I never know when something is going to make me think of my parents. Today, it was in church when the congregation got ready to sing 'The Old Rugged Cross', which is tune I had not heard let alone sung in a many years. In fact, the last time I sang it might very well have been in church with my Mom (she passed away in 1991). Anyway, when we started to sing that beautiful tune this morning, I found myself choking up and struggling to sing as I started thinking of Mom and Dad.

As I left church, without even thinking about it, I hummed that tune over and over...just like Mom used to do when we drove home from church. If there was a particular tune from church service that stuck with her, that would be the one she'd hum on the way home. Dad told a story that had to do with that tune, but I can't remember what it was about. I remember it being special, but for some reason, it escapes me.

Instead of going straight home today, I decided to drive over to visit Mom and Dad's resting place in St. Peter's Cemetery. On my way there while still humming 'The Old Rugged Cross', as I just went over the railroad crossing, a pair of mourning doves was in the opposite lane. They both looked up at me simultaneously. Mom really liked birds, so I thought that was sort of interesting. It would get more interesting shortly....

....as I pulled into the cemetery, as soon as I got out of my van, I was greeted by what sounded like a chorus of cardinals surrounding my van. I got tears in my eyes, as my Mom's favorite birds were cardinals.  After she passed away, different times when we'd encounter a cardinal (or cardinals), Dad would make a comment to me that "you know, cardinals were your Mom's favorite bird". Over the years, I heard that many times from him.  Anyway, I said a prayer by their stone and when I was done, the "cardinal chorus" was done, too. Coincidence? Not sure about that.

So, even though it's still the morning of Palm Sunday as I type this, a song, a short drive, a pair of mourning doves and a cardinal chorus have already made today very special and memorable, and yes, a bit sad and reflective.

Happy Palm Sunday 2014!