The Margaretville Fire Department and the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) have presented Cedric Taylor with the 2015 George Hendricks Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Cedric, homeschooled by his parents, Ken and Amy Taylor of Bull Run Road, Margaretville, graduated this year and is headed to Bob Jones University in South Carolina to study biochemistry.
The scholarship is given annually to a graduating Margaretville senior who exemplifies community service and shows an interest in local history, both of which defined the late George Hendricks, Jr., former fire chief, HSM trustee and passionate historian.
Cedric Taylor (third from left)
A talented violinist, Cedric has performed with a youth orchestra and a string ensemble, has appeared in several Open Eye Theater productions, and served as a tour guide in the last two HSM Living History Cemetery Tours. He coached Catskill Mountain Youth Soccer, volunteered at Fairview Public Library and participated in other community activities.
“The Fire Department is pleased that community service is obviously important to Cedric, and we’re happy to recognize his efforts in this way,” said MFD President Don Bramley.
For his winning scholarship application, Cedric researched the history of his family’s house, constructed by his great-grandfather, George Fairbairn in 1950. George, wife Ruth, and children Georgia, Fred and Martha were forced to leave their Dunraven home when it was taken for the Pepacton Reservoir. They purchased 137 acres from Willard Sanford on Upper Bull Run Road, and George built a lake, a cabin, and finally a house where Cedric and his family now live.
“We welcome Cedric’s contribution to our understanding of local history,” said HSM President Diane Galusha. “Using diaries, documents, newspaper accounts and interviews with family members, Cedric produced an important record that will be saved for posterity.”
Added Nate Hendricks, Vice President of MFD and George’s son, “My father really valued connection to community and to its history. This award to Cedric Taylor would make him very happy.”