OT History in Clifton Springs!



A group of people made OT History today - pulling off an amazing day of celebration in Clifton Springs that was enjoyed by so many attendees.

Eighteen months ago I started corresponding with Steve Egidi, an occupational therapist and Vice President of the Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce.  He invited me to join a working group that was forming to help make plans for  the 100th OT Anniversary Celebration in Clifton Springs.  Steve was a steady organizing force for the group and it was a real pleasure getting to work with him.

Also from the Chamber was Jeff Criblear, President of the Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce.  Jeff did amazing work with restoring the 50th anniversary plaque and also helping to coordinate so many of the Centennial celebration activities with the Clifton Springs community.

The glue behind the entire project was undoubtedly Jamie Noga, Coordinator from the Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce.  Jamie did it all - she kept us all organized and on track, managing all of the details behind the scenes.  Jamie was fantastic!

Jim Conners, Clifton Springs Village Historian was also a pleasure to work with - and his work in creating the occupational therapy exhibits at the museum with the staff there was fantastic.

Les Moore, from the Clifton Springs Historical Society, also made many valuable contributions to the group - most memorable to me was delivering the graveside memorial service that we held with the Barton family the morning of the event.  It was such a moving service and it was a memory that I will cherish.

Corky Glantz, also an occupational therapist and former AOTA Board member, joined our group and was very helpful in communicating with AOTA.  We have Corky to thank for helping to initiate contacts and coordinate those efforts.

Linda Shriber, occupational therapy program director from Nazareth College, also provided invaluable guidance and support for the entire project.

Rochelle Marx-Asher, occupational therapy fieldwork coordinator at Bryant and Stratton College was critical in helping to organize student volunteers for floats and also for helping to coordinate entertainment for the event (by volunteering her husband!)  The music was fantastic!

My own part was small, but I got lopsided media face time for the project since I was the one who did the presentation during our ceremony today and did a few interviews with local media outlets.

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There are so many others - the Keuka College students who 'ran security' in front of Consolation House, the Nazareth and Bryant and Stratton students who ran the 'kids tent,' the Utica College students who marched in the parade, the Orange Community College program that made a float, the SUNY at Buffalo students who made a float, representative from NYSOTA that marched in the parade, and representatives from AOTA who served as Grand Marshals and who also gifted the community with a 100th anniversary plaque, donated the 'Flat' Founders and banner, and also gifted the community with a new seal (that is another story!).

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Thanks also to the OT community who came and celebrated, and especially to the Barton family who came and shared stories and fellowship.  I also want to thank Karen and Patrick Boland who were so gracious in allowing us to visit their home (former Consolation House).

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I hope I have not forgotten anyone.  I will certainly edit this if I have made any accidental oversight.  We made OT History today!  Thanks to all!

Steve Egidi and Jeff Criblear with the restored plaque from the 50th anniversary.

The Barton's gravesite was beautified with Sweet Williams, their favorite flowers at Consolation House.
The Foster Cottage Museum had great educational displays on OT and Consolation House.
I gave a keynote presentation on George Barton and his Consolation House contributions.
SUNY at Buffalo had a float in the parade.
Utica College marched in the parade.

The planning committee invited AOTA Board members to be parade Grand Marshals.
   
The Barton family shared the day with us; I am so glad they were able to come!

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