NEW BERLIN – This weekend, the 48th annual New Berlin Youth Day’s celebration includes midway carnival rides, a beauty pageant and a parade involving all of Chenango County’s fire departments.
Youth Days is held on the grounds in front of Milford Academy, along South Main Street in the Village of New Berlin, every year.
This year, the New Berlin Fire Department is hosting the Chenango County Firemen’s Convention and firefighters will be joining in, participating in Saturday’s parade and holding firematics competitions on the event’s grounds Sunday.
“A lot of the kids who come can’t always afford to go other places. We want to draw in families no matter what their economics are. Everyone needs to be a kid. Also this weekend there are usually a number of class reunions and other events scheduled. It’s a weekend when there are a number of people coming home,” said New Berlin Youth Days Committee President Larissa Hanslmaier.
This weekend’s events begin tonight at 6 in the Unadilla Valley High School auditorium with the Miss Youth Days Pageant and presentations of the ‘Youth of the Year’ and ‘Citizen of the Year’ awards. There is also a Gospel music concert from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the Milford grounds.
Unadilla Valley Class of 2009 graduate Jamie Lee Rifanburg was selected the Youth of the Year for her numerous community contributions and involvement. Rifanburg was chosen from a number of candidates who submitted applications for the Youth Days Scholarship.
Lifelong resident Donald Johnson will be awarded the 2009 Citizen of the Year. His family farm in Columbus has been in operation for over 50 years, beginning with his parents, who also hail from the Columbus area. His two sons, Patrick and Michael, live in the New Berlin area.
“Well of course it is quite an honor. I’m not the greatest with words, but it feels great to be appreciated by my community,” said Johnson.
About a year ago, Johnson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous Yankees player who died of the disease in 1941. He said doctors have estimated that he has no more than six years left to live.
“I still live a good life,” Johnson added.
