Those attending the Celebration assembled for a photo. Seated in the front row is Ruth Brussel, who was honored with Certificate of Recognition, Barbara Groves, the first President of the CTS Board, and Ray Schoeberlein, President of the CTS Board. Standing, far right, is Assemblyman Mark Butler (R, I, Newport) and William Farber, Hamilton County Board of Supervisors. Photo by Carol Hansen
Community Transportation Services (CTS) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, July 17, in the Community Hall at St. Anthony’s Church in Inlet with 70 people in attendance.
The not-for-profit volunteer transportation service was organized in 1987 by representatives of the Outreach Committee of Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Bartholomew’s Church, the AARP Good Neighbor Committee, the Town of Webb Health Center and the Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks (HASCA).
The purpose of the organization was to provide transportation for the elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged of the Town of Webb and adjoining communities and it is still providing that service.
Betsy Brussell McCulloch with her mom, Ruth Brussel, holding the Certificate of Recognition for 25 years of Dedicated Service to CTS, that was presented during the Community Transportation Services 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 17. Photo by Carol Hansen
Ray Schoeberlein, Master of Ceremonies and President of the CTS Board of Directors, welcomed everyone. Following the Invocation by Jim Ulrich and a picnic luncheon buffet, Ruth Brussel was surprised with a beautifully framed Certificate of Recognition, “for 25 years of Dedicated Service as Board Member, President and Secretary of CTS.”
“I cannot even remember the beginning of CTS, but it’s always been part of my life and we just keep it going,” Brussel said.
Barbara Groves was also recognized as the president of the first CTS board that formed in 1987.
“To pull something like this together and see it going so fantastically after 25 years is wonderful,” she said.
Other special guests were Assemblyman Marc Butler; William Farber, Hamilton County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors; and Nicholas Rose, Executive Director of CAP-21.Schoeberlein, citing some of the history of CTS, said the organization received the Masonic DeWitt Clinton Award in 1997, and in 2008 it was awarded the Community Impact Award as recognized by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
CTS now has 46 volunteer drivers, with three vehicles in Hamilton County and two in Old Forge. In 2011 the volunteer drivers provided rides for 1,154 people and they traveled 66,207 miles.
‘We’ve never had a time frame where we weren’t in operation, no matter how difficult it was for Al Brussel (volunteer driver coordinator) to get someone to drive for him.
“Over the years, there have been fashion shows, bazaar booths and pie sales to earn money for the service, and fundraiser dinners at 7th Lake House and Billy’s in Old Forge. It’s a lot of little things that make us go. We are the little van that could—and did—and will, and we just keep going,” Schoeberlein said.
