McLean Fire Department Auxiliary celebrates its 78th anniversary

The lovely and picturesque Elm Tree Inn in McLean was the venue for the McLean Fire Department Auxiliary’s (MFDA) annual banquet and installation of new officers on Sunday, Jan. 11.

This event also commemorated the organization’s 78th year of serving the McLean Volunteer Fire Department and its community. MFDA members consider it a cherished tradition to recognize outstanding service and introduce the organization’s new leaders.

After a prime rib dinner, the following officers were duly charged with their duties and formally installed by Pam Whittaker, past president of the Central New York Firemen’s Association Auxiliary: Jerri Bernard, president; Karen Raeder, vice president and director; Kris Strong, treasurer; Sharon Fouts, secretary and chaplain; Norma Totman, historian. Also installed as directors were Karen Borst, Leanne Call and Lyn Gauss.

Several other members of the MFDA were present at the dinner. Although not all were there, the other members are Donna Call, Bob Fouts, Dariele Drake, Larry Jenks, Rick McConnell, Marietta Miller, Ron Raeder and the newest member, Lyn Vital.

When the MFDA was first formed, it, like many other auxiliaries of the day, was made up only of women with some connection to the fire departments they support. Today, anyone is welcome to be a member of the MFDA.

The MFDA president

Jerri Bernard has been the MFDA president for five years. She initially joined in 2004 when her mother, Lorna Bush Thomas, brought her into the organization. Jerri and her family have lived in McLean since 1967. She is a 1974 alumna of Groton High School, as well as Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES, where she earned her culinary arts certificate.

Jerri and her husband, the late Jean M. Bernard, were married in 1975; Jean passed away in 1991. They raised two sons, Michael and Philip, who blessed them with three grandchildren. Their grandson, Brian, is a junior firefighter for the McLean Fire Department (MFD).

Originally a stay-at-home mom, Jerri went to work at various places through the years after Jean became ill in 1984. In 1989, she attended Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) part-time, earning an associate degree in Human Services in 1993 and a bachelor’s degree in 1995 at Cortland State College. Both that and her culinary background serve her well now, in her work with the MFDA.

“When TC3 was built in Dryden, I wanted to go for food service and hotel management, but there was no course there yet,” Jerri said. “I’ve always loved cooking, but I love children, too. My college advisor suggested human services, and it helped me because I got a job as a toddler teacher at the Groton Child Development Center.”

Although Jerri was never able to work in the food service industry, her culinary expertise is invaluable to her and to the MFDA, as will be evidenced later in this article!

A perspective from the MFDA historian

The longest veteran member of the MFDA is 94-year-old Norma Totman, who has been a member for 75 years and is its historian. She and her husband, the late George Totman, were married in 1951 and made their home in McLean in 1952, where they raised their two sons: Dennis and the late Michael Totman. They have six grandchildren, one of whom is Nick Totman — newly elected fire commissioner for McLean.

“I’ve always loved this community and its history,” Norma said fondly. “Since 1952 when I joined [the MFDA], I’ve enjoyed all the people. We used to march in parades and I miss that — especially the wonderful uniforms!”

George was an integral part of the McLean Fire Department for decades, and it was he who first invited Norma to attend an auxiliary meeting.

“When George took me to that first meeting, it opened my eyes to the need to fundraise for the fire department, and through the years, we just kept going, doing it!” Norma said.

Serving the community together

Jerri explained that any money the auxiliary raises through its various activities goes to things the MFD or its firefighters need. Most recently, the group has been helping to subsidize the renovations to the fire hall.

The MFDA is available to the entire community to provide food for a fee for almost anything, such as weddings, birthdays or celebrations of life. They also put on a bazaar every third weekend in October. One of the most successful fundraisers the MFDA sponsors is its popular monthly pancake breakfast, and that is something that its members and the members of the MFD do together.

“I do the main shopping and cooking,” Jerri explained, “but we all have our parts to play. I start things up at 4:30 a.m. on those Sundays, and everyone else comes in when they need to. Karen Borst is in charge of the serving line, Norma Totman decorates the tables and runs the beverage station, Bob Fouts and Stephen Prentice, fire commissioner, are our main dishwashers, and everyone else pitches in. We need our members, and we need more. We could not do what we do without them!”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Outstanding CTE student

Congratulations to Madison DeGraw, a Groton Jr./Sr. High School student who was recognized as an outstanding student of the month for December at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center, where he is enrolled in its Welding program.

The outstanding students are chosen based on their character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and positive role models.

Cabin Fever

Save the date for Groton Recreation’s Cabin Fever, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7 in the Groton Jr./Sr. High School gym. Get ready for a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration packed with hands-on activities, learning and laughs — and it’s all free! Email recreation@grotonny.gov if you would like to attend as a vendor.

‘Oliver!’ comes to the Groton stage

Save the dates now for Groton High School Drama Club’s production of “Oliver!” March 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. nightly.