Appreciation day held for Columbus dairy farmer
COLUMBUS – Family, friends and neighbors recently expressed their appreciation for longtime dairy farmer, agricultural industry leader and community volunteer, Donald Johnson.
Johnson, who was diagnosed a year ago with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, found himself surrounded by about 300 people – including members of the New Berlin Fire Department where he formerly served as chief -– who came to show their appreciation for his many contributions.
“He’s done a lot for Columbus, for the Chenango County Fair and the Morris Fair, including a lot of stuff behind the scenes quietly,” said Supervisor George G. Coates.
Fran Winton, a friend of Johnson’s all of his life, said he and his wife, Linda helped organize a day of appreciation on Aug. 22 to thank Johnson for all he had done, including throwing a fundraiser when Winton was diagnosed with lymphoma a year and half ago.
“Johnson supported me, so we’ve returned the favor,” Winton said.
Participants shared a plethora of potluck and donated food, including a 298 pound barbecued hog. A disk jockey provided entertainment and the firemen made presentations.
Among many other accolades, Johnson was recently named the 2009 New Berlin Youth Days’ Citizen of the Year. He has donated a pavilion for Norton Park, a pole barn for the Chenango County Fairgrounds and organized and participated in many a tractor pull at the Morris Fair.
The three-generation Johnson family farm, founded by Don’s father Robert, is located between Chenango and Otsego counties along county Rt. 80. Don has milked cows since high school; sons Mike and Pat follow in his footsteps today.
“I am sure that he is truly honored,” said Kelly York, the mother of his two of his four grandchildren. “There are so many things he’s done for the community, always lending a helping hand. And farming ... you know it’s a no vacation, no holiday, sun up to sun down job. He’s just always been a very strong, strong man.”
York said Johnson planned to pursue a stem cell transplant in Peru next month in order to gain back some of the mobility he has lost from the disease. She said his grandchildren want to be on the farm with their grandfather as much as possible.
“We just wanted to show him how much we appreciate all he has done for us,” said Winton.
Johnson, who was diagnosed a year ago with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, found himself surrounded by about 300 people – including members of the New Berlin Fire Department where he formerly served as chief -– who came to show their appreciation for his many contributions.
“He’s done a lot for Columbus, for the Chenango County Fair and the Morris Fair, including a lot of stuff behind the scenes quietly,” said Supervisor George G. Coates.
Fran Winton, a friend of Johnson’s all of his life, said he and his wife, Linda helped organize a day of appreciation on Aug. 22 to thank Johnson for all he had done, including throwing a fundraiser when Winton was diagnosed with lymphoma a year and half ago.
“Johnson supported me, so we’ve returned the favor,” Winton said.
Participants shared a plethora of potluck and donated food, including a 298 pound barbecued hog. A disk jockey provided entertainment and the firemen made presentations.
Among many other accolades, Johnson was recently named the 2009 New Berlin Youth Days’ Citizen of the Year. He has donated a pavilion for Norton Park, a pole barn for the Chenango County Fairgrounds and organized and participated in many a tractor pull at the Morris Fair.
The three-generation Johnson family farm, founded by Don’s father Robert, is located between Chenango and Otsego counties along county Rt. 80. Don has milked cows since high school; sons Mike and Pat follow in his footsteps today.
“I am sure that he is truly honored,” said Kelly York, the mother of his two of his four grandchildren. “There are so many things he’s done for the community, always lending a helping hand. And farming ... you know it’s a no vacation, no holiday, sun up to sun down job. He’s just always been a very strong, strong man.”
York said Johnson planned to pursue a stem cell transplant in Peru next month in order to gain back some of the mobility he has lost from the disease. She said his grandchildren want to be on the farm with their grandfather as much as possible.
“We just wanted to show him how much we appreciate all he has done for us,” said Winton.
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