Kettle Creek Celebrates 40th Anniversary
CROSS FORK – Kettle Creek Hose Co. No. 1 held its annual banquet March 19, 2015, celebrating 40 years in existence. Being organized in 1975, the Hose Company responds to emergency calls in Stewardson Township, Leidy Township, parts of East Keating Township and neighboring mutual aid areas. In the 40 years of existence the Kettle Creek Hose Company has had 9 Fire Chiefs.
Introduction of guests by Master of Ceremonies, Mike Stone, President of the KCHC, included Clinton County Commissioners Pete Smeltz, Joel Long, Jeffrey Snyder, Sons of Italy President Thomas Tarantella, Potter County Commissioner Douglas Morley, Potter County Dept Emergency Service representative Dean Predmore, Bureau of Forestry Chris Nickolas, and guests Jude Richardson and Vince Miller both of whom have been very instrumental to the KCHC.
Donna Berry, long time Master of Ceremonies and past Chairman of the banquet was recognized not only by the Hose Company but by the Clinton County Commissioners who presented Donna with a commemorative presentation (pictured above, right).
The following Fire Companies were introduced by M.C. Stone, Chapman Township Station 27, Citizen’s Hose Station 28, Black Forest Lycoming County Station 36 and the host Fire Company Kettle Creek Hose.
Following dinner, Fire Chief Fritzinger recognized Nancy Dingman for her accomplishments. Nancy has been involved in this area since 1975 as one of the first women completing fire school training, First Responder, EMT and certified instructor, Leidy Township Emergency Management Coordinator and in recent years served as President, Vice President and EMS Captain of the Kettle Creek Ambulance Association. To a standing ovation, Nancy was presented with a plaque commemorating her service. Chief Fritzinger recognized Nathaniel Dingman, one of our younger fire fighters with a plaque commemorating his outstanding service. Nate is an EMT and with the KCHC serves as a line officer and Captain.
Larry Hirst, KCHC Board Chairman read several definitions of volunteerism which concluded with a very special recognition of Fire Chief Fritzinger. Chief Barry has served the Fire Company with 30 years of service and has spent countless hours of dedication by giving of his time and effort in all capacities of the Fire Company. Barry is retired from the Forestry and he quotes “when I retired from the Forestry, I got a second job”. Barry was presented with a plaque for his outstanding and dedicated service.(pictured above, left)
As the evening of fellowship and recognition came to a close, M.C. Stone thanked all for attending the banquet, extended thanks to the community and neighboring communities for their service, dedication and accomplishments that has made our Hose Company what it is today.
In closing M.C. shared a poem written by Dan McDermott, an active member of both the Fire Company and Ambulance Association, titled “Along the banks of Kettle Creek”.
