The final chapter of Alfred NY’s community, Dr. Alex Landis, and her legacy
By Chrystal Dodge, pictured with a cake full of candles
Once I reached my upper eighties, I knew it was time to turn the stand over to someone younger. I hoped to find someone retired who needed passion and purpose in their life. Two people applied, but soon found with their busy life they couldn’t handle it. Sue Burlingame seemed the perfect person with her love for animals. She is, however, very busy with a dog training business and taking care of orphaned or injured wildlife. She took it on but doesn’t have the desire or time to run around looking for items for the stand. So, it has come full circle back to books, magazines, plants and vegetables in season, but that hasn’t happened as people are donating their knickknacks and other things they think people might use, and on it goes. I’m very grateful to her.
I never dreamed giving up the stand would be so hard. I enjoyed meeting the many people who stopped there. Some told me their life story, their health problems, their troubles and some wanted to simply chat. I see some of them now and then, but I really miss them all. This little stand taught me so much. Thanks Alex.
I was astonished and so honored to receive two awards: one from the Lions Organization for Citizen of the Year in 2014 and one from Alfred University for the Spirt of Service Award in 2018. The Alfred Lions Club gave me a lovely plaque with Citizen of the Year printed on it and a separate sheet which read:
ALFRED LIONS CLUB – “The members of the Alfred Lions Club are pleased to recognize Chrystal Dodge as their 2013-14 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR for her long-time dedication to animals and volunteer community activities.
For several years Chrystal has maintained the P.A.L. (Planned Animal Life) Kiosk adjacent to the Box of Books Library (est. in 1853) on West University Street. Chrystal has continued the tradition of several other dedicated ‘Alfredians’ who preceded her. The kiosk started with vegetables, books and magazines and has progressed to a constant stream of an extremely diverse variety of donated items that are available for others for a donation. It is a gathering spot for students and villagers. She drives into Alfred almost daily to straighten the display, unload her car of donated items, many of which she has obtained at yard sales, and empty the donation box. The proceeds go directly to accounts with veterinarians to provide spaying, neutering and medical attention for pets of elderly and disabled people who cannot afford veterinary care for pets. As Chrystal says, “The ‘furry ones’ thank everyone who has helped in some way.”
Chrystal has also donated her time and resources to other community activities. Many would remember Chrystal as the one, who trained dogs for 34 years and then provided pet care for the next 18 years through TIP TOP PETS. She also has provided transportation for several elderly people for medical appointments and grocery shopping. In addition, she shares the beauty of the flowers she grows with others. For example, she provides cut flowers in season, and potted flowers during the rest of the year for the Allegany County senior citizen lunches at the Union University Church Center.
Chrystal is also an author. For her book – Faith of a Spider: Memoir of a Pet Sitter – she won a 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award from Independent Book Publishing Professionals. On receiving the award, she commented to friends that ‘writing the book was a labor of love’, much like her caring for all the animals in her life and her caring for others in the community.
The Alfred Lions Club appreciates all that Chrystal Dodge has done, and continues to do, that contributes to making Alfred a unique and special community in which to live and work.
Presented December 11, 2014 by Brad Bowden, 2013-14 President of the Alfred Lions Club”.
I give a heartfelt thank you to all the Alfred Lions Club members for the award and kind words and for all the work you do.
The Alfred University’s Spirit of Service Award read as follows:
ALFRED UNIVERSITY – NOMINEE, 2018 SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD – “Certificate of Recognition – Chrystal Dodge is honored with a nomination for the 2018 Spirit of Service Award for demonstrating a strong commitment to serving others in the Alfred community and actively living out the principles of equality, social justice, community, and service.” I especially liked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote on the certificate, “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace.”
Such a great honor—thank you so much.
I also received cards and a full-page article in The Alfred Sun newspaper written by some special, wonderful people of Alfred.
Read the full story of “The Stand” below:
Part 1: The Stand – THE WELLSVILLE SUN
Part 2: THE STAND – THE WELLSVILLE SUN
Part 3: The Stand – THE WELLSVILLE SUN
