Wins lifetime achievement award
Bob Shedd, a naturalist and a good neighbor


NEW SCOTLAND – Bob Shedd is a role model, says his daughter, Diane Wozniak. Deep down, though, she said, "He’s just my pop."

Last week, Shedd, a well-respected resident of New Scotland for more than 50 years, was recognized with a Capital District Senior Lifetime Achievement Award. It was presented to him and 49 other recipients at the 10th annual ceremony held in Albany by the Capital District Senior Issues Forum.
"It’s an honor, of course, to have somebody think of you and remember that you really did do something," said Shedd. "I didn’t do it for an award," he said.
Shedd is a "wonderful person," said Supervisor Ed Clark. The two know each other "very well," Clark said.
"He’s a great naturalist and supporter of protecting the environment and nature" He was, for many years, an avid Boy Scout enthusiast" He’s a regular commentator in The Enterprise," said Clark.
"He’s someone we value as a neighbor and a member of our community," he said. "He is an all-around great person," said Clark.

Shedd was recognized by Councilwoman Deborah Baron at last week’s town board meeting.

Shedd, 86, was born in Rutland, Vt. He grew up on a dairy farm and was the oldest of five children.
He enlisted, with his two brothers, in the United States Marines; he served for four years during World War II as an infantry corporal. He later became a carpenter. "None of us were interested in farming," said Shedd of himself and his brothers.
Shedd also tried his hand at selling real estate for a short time, he said. "It didn’t work out too well," he laughed.

He was involved with local Boy Scouts troops for 50 years — as a scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster, district training chairman, and troop committeeman.

He volunteers at his church, First United Methodist Church in Voorheesville, and serves on numerous church committees. Shedd volunteered with the Voorheesville Area Ambulance for five years and helped to form the New Scotland Museum.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Shedd has worked to maintain trails at Thacher Park, as well as parts of the Long Path Trail, which starts at the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey and meanders for 326 miles through the Catskill Mountains to Thacher Park. In 1996, Shedd finished hiking the Appalachian Trail.
He used some of his carpentry skills to help Habitat for Humanity. Shedd also frequently writes letters to the Enterprise editor, and edits a newsletter for the veterans of "A" Company, 5th Marines.

He also maintains his home and mows his lawn, he said.

For 61 years, Shedd has been married to Mary Lou Shedd. They have two children — Wozniak, who lives in Voorheesville, and Jerome Shedd, who lives in Ripton, Vt. They have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

About a month after being discharged from the military, while living on his father’s farm in Wallingford, Vt, Shedd met Mary Lou, he said.
The local Parent Teacher Association had held a Halloween square dance, he remembered. "I didn’t really want to go," he said, adding that his parents twisted his arm to attend.
"Mary Lou was a cadet nurse," he said. She had been working in Montreal, and had come home earlier that day. She also didn’t really want to go to the dance, he said.
Shedd’s father urged him to ask "the little cadet nurse" to dance, he recalled.
"That was 62 years ago this coming Halloween" and we’re still speaking to each other," said Shedd.
"My parents have been married for 61 years," said Wozniak. "They are such a good couple. They have given me and my brother an example of a good marriage," she said, adding it’s a wonderful gift.
"My mom is the woman behind the man," said Wozniak.
"My father has received so many awards over the years," she said. "A lot of it is because he’s a very good, honest, thoughtful person," she said.
"I just really lucked out when I was born in this family," Wozniak said. Even though he was busy with work, the church, and the Boy Scouts, she said, her father "always had time for me."

When she became interested in art, her father would drive her around to various places where she could draw different landscapes, Wozniak remembered.
"It meant so much to me that he’s always supported my interests," she said.
Shedd is "definitely deserving" of the lifetime achievement award, says his daughter, because "he’s given so much of himself to other people.
"I’m very proud of him, of course," Wozniak concluded. "I just love him a lot."

Other business

In other business at the Oct. 10 meeting, the town board:

– Heard from Councilman Douglas LaGrange, requesting support from the town for the New York State Property Taxpayer Protection Act. The act aims to limit the tax burden on homeowners and businesses in the state. It essentially shifts the tax burden, explained Michael Mackey, the attorney for the board. He added that, from a legal standpoint, he had no issues with supporting the legislation.
"It sounds like a great idea, but we should get feedback from the Association of Towns," said Councilman Richard Reilly.
Board member Peg Neri suggested that the town’s school districts also be contacted. She added that the idea is "interesting" and she is aware of a similar law being successful in Massachusetts.

The board will continue the discussion at its Nov. 14 meeting;

– Announced that a balloon test for a cell tower extension on Woods Hill Road will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, either from 7 a.m. until noon, or from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.;

– Approved making Mountain Vista Lane, located off of Delaware Turnpike, a private road;

– Approved a three-year service agreement with County Waste for trash pickup at the Swift Road town park, at a cost of $105 per month;

– Approved the membership of Steven C. Dooley Sr. in the Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company;

– Heard from Councilman Reilly that the town-sponsored trip to New York City to see the Broadway production of Grease was a success;

– Entered into a lease agreement with the New Scotland Historical Association for its use of the Wyman Osterhout Community Center in New Salem. The lease is for a period of 10 years with the option for renewal. The association will pay the town rent of $1 per year;

– Announced that senior citizen flu shots will be given on Oct. 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center, and on Oct. 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Feura Bush senior apartments.

The board also heard that the American Association of Retired Persons defensive-driving program will be held on Oct. 24 and 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.; and
– Heard that the blood drive held on Sept. 28 was "very successful." The goal was 40 donations, and 45 were collected, which helped 135 patients.