Dec 6, 2022
OAKFIELD — The town and village of Oakfield had a few different Christmas activities over the weekend and a 100-year-old veteran was among the contributors.
Wilbur Preston, who served in the Army during World War II, was given the opportunity to flip the switch to light up an American flag display in Triangle Park.
Mike Morris, village zone/code enforcement officer, said Easton, his father-in-law, was asked to participate in the lighting of the American flag display and he agreed.
“He was just known to a bunch of the town (leaders),” Morris said. Easton had been waiting in a car until it was time for him to participate.
Sitting in a wheelchair, waiting for the countdown to flip the switch, Easton said, “I never thought I’d ever make this point. This is big for me. I really don’t know what to say.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who was there partly to do the countdown for Easton, was in Oakfield after going to events in Pavilion, Alexander and Batavia.
“I’m so happy to be here in Oakfield again this year, this is a great, great event,” Hawley said. “You’re all so supportive of your community and I applaud you for that ...”
Introducing Easton, Hawley said, I’ve got a very special guest, one of our own, a member of the greatest generation to serve our country.”
Another countdown took place after that — the lighting of the 92 sponsored Christmas trees in the park. The celebration, Majestic Lights, represented area families, businesses, organizations and/or in memory of loved ones who are no longer here.
“Those of us at the town and the village appreciate all of your support,” Barry Flansburg, town of Oakfield assessor, said. “The trees will be lit until after the first of the year.”
Flansburg thanked the town and village of Oakfield for sponsoring the event.
“A special thank you to the village and town highway DPW (Department of Public Works) guys that put up all the trees, ran all the wiring for the lights,” he said.
Those who decorated trees must remove the decorations by Jan. 8.
Another featured event Saturday was the unveiling of a new slogan for the Haxton Memorial Library.
Carol D’Alba, president of the Haxton Library Board of Trustees, said before the unveiling that libraries all across the country are moving from just a place where you get books to community centers.
“Haxton Library is joining in that trend. We’re offering up-to-date computers. We have 24-7 WiFi, of course, all your best-sellers and we have programs for adults, kids and even babies now,” she said. “Obviously, we have the best staff around — the most fabulous, wonderful, friendly staff.”
D’Alba said the library recently asked the community to help it choose a new slogan, focused on the beautiful architecture of the Haxton Library, the windows.
“The choices were: ‘Windows of Opportunity,’ ‘Your Windows to the World’ and ‘Your Windows to Discovery.’ We had 200 votes and the winner was, ‘Your Windows to the World,’” she said.
The library lit up the new slogan during that evening’s festivities. After the lighting ceremony, those attending were invited to stop by the library building and see the new slogan that was lit up in one of the library’s front windows.
In-person and online voting for the new slogan took place in September and throughout October. Slogan voters were also entered into a chance to win a randomly drawn $50 gift card. To learn more about the library, stop by circulation desk or call (585) 948-9900. The Haxton Memorial Library, 3 N. Pearl St., provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.
The Oakfield Fire Department led the annual parade, followed by a lighting ceremony for the walk through Winter Wonderland in Memorial Park.
