Kip Finley.  Well-deserved congratulations are provided to Kip Finley for his induction into the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame for his long-time leadership and significant effort in supporting the Wheatland Historical Association (WHA) and other notable endeavors such as leadership in development of an important Municipal Comprehensive Plan Update. Kip has been a member and volunteer of the WHA for more than 25 years, serving as the organization’s President for more than 13 years during this time. His notable contributions to the WHA include:

• As President, Kip supervised the activities of the association, advising and directing the board on charitable work and programs.

• He was a key Committee Member supporting the addition of the Heritage Room at Sage-Marlowe House which has been a local meeting room and educational facility for more than 20 years.

• Kip has been a driving force for WHA's two major fall and spring sale fund raisers, the proceeds of which help fund youth scholarships.

• Kip conducted executive oversight of WHA's distribution of over $37,000 in scholarships to area high school graduates and middle schoolers during his presidency.

• He helped write funding applications to secure $30,000 in grants for the Wells Barn Video Documentary project

  
  

Kip was a volunteer member of the Town of Wheatland Planning Board from 1996-2004 during which time he Co-Chaired the Comprehensive Master Plan Update Committee and acted as primary author of the 160-page Master Plan Update document that established a strategy to effect immediate and long-range protection, enhancement, growth and development in the community for the 20-year period. The plan established a blueprint for action and a basis for consistent municipal decision-making, benefiting the community economically, socially and environmentally.

George J. Skivington Sr. Congratulations are provided to the family of George J. Skivington Sr. for his induction into the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame. George was a lifetime resident of the Town of Wheatland who became a very successful attorney. He was an avid collector of original historical documents, which have been preserved and made available to the public. His hobby was collecting historical ephemera of Western New York. Because of his wide influence, he was able to acquire very early original documents such as receipts signed by Seneca Indians, Red Jacket and Cornplanter. Some of his archival materials are housed at the University of Rochester Rush Rhees Library in the Rare Books and Special Collections department. A large portion of the collection was given to the Wheatland Historical Association where it has been digitized and is now available on-line through the Rochester Public Library website. Some of the original documents that can be seen in that collection are Wheatland school records from the early 1800s as well as voter registration lists, early tax rolls and other similar documents. The material from the early history of the community that he worked to preserve is an invaluable and irreplaceable asset for present and future generations.

Well-deserved congratulations are also provided to the following people selected as 2024 Volunteers of Distinction supporting the Wheatland Community:

Dave Burns – For his significant contributions supporting the community as a volunteer historical interpreter at the Genesee Country Village & Museum, donating time, expertise and much more.

Alex Disljenkovic – For his inspiration and noteworthy contribution in support of outdoor community concerts, leading the effort to schedule and support summer musical performances in the Gazebo at the Scottsville American Legion.

Scott Lund– For his volunteer contributions and long-time dedication providing leadership for area youth basketball including both the Wheatland Recreation and Scottsville Athletic Association programs.

Lynne Skivington – For her significant contributions supporting the Wheatland Historical Association in many impactful capacities, including helping to coordinate sales events that benefit WHA student scholarships.

Michael Souers – For his long-time contributions supporting the community in many capacities, including as a volunteer member of the Village Forestry Board and as a trustee of the Oatka Cemetery Association. Mike is truly one of the recognizable faces of our community.

The Wheatland Community Hall of Fame was founded in 2018, is governed by the GWA Chamber of Commerce, supported by a volunteer Committee and is funded by a combination of donations and sponsorships. The purpose of the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame is to facilitate a community wide tradition of identifying, recognizing and celebrating deserving citizens and supporters who contribute to the general benefit of the Wheatland Community. The Wheatland Community Hall of Fame has been made possible through the efforts and diligence of a “Salute to Excellence Committee” for collecting nominations, evaluating candidate qualifications and recommending selections for the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame. The recommended selections are reviewed and approved by the GWA Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

There are two levels of citizen and supporter recognition defined within the context of the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame:

1.     Induction as a member of the Community Hall of Fame

2.     Selection as a “Volunteer of Distinction”

Induction as a member in the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame recognizes and honors Wheatland’s most outstanding citizens and supporters who have made significant, positive, notable and/or lifetime contributions to Wheatland in the areas of community, education, recreation, civil and social services. See the Wheatland Community Hall of Fame Honor Roll to read more about the members. A plaque is displayed for each member of the Hall of Fame in the Wheatland Municipal Building.

Volunteer of Distinction recognition celebrates those individuals, who freely give their time, effort and talent to a community need, cause or organization without compensation while making positive contributions through demonstrated excellence in support of the Wheatland Community. See the Volunteers of Distinction Honor Roll. The names of all Volunteers of Distinction are prominently displayed in the Wheatland Municipal Building.

The “Salute to Excellence Committee” would like to thank all those who submitted nominations in 2024 and in past years for candidates to be considered for these recognitions. Note that all nominations are retained, updated and reconsidered in subsequent years.

Be sure to submit nominations in 2025 for those deserving individuals supporting your local organizations and/or the broader community.