by Rachel Hunter
Lyle Hotis of Gouverneur is the 2016 recipient of the 67th Gouverneur VFW Citizenship of the Year Award. He was nominated for the honor by Dale Streeter of Gouverneur.
“I was flabbergasted,” he said, recalling how he felt upon receiving the notice that he was this year's recipient.
Mr. Hotis has a heart for the greater Gouverneur community – one that is revealed in his desire to give back at any opportunity.
Mr. Hotis was an agriculture teacher in the Gouverneur Central School District for 33 years. After his retirement, he joined the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association, became a member of the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, and was an active member on the Agriculture Advisory Board at GCS.
It has been 15 years since Mr. Hotis has gotten involved in these organizations – and he's still loving every moment of it. Mr. Hotis currently is seated as president of the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association (a position he has been in for the past five years), is president-elect of the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club (and is a past president), and is the treasurer of the Agriculture Advisory Board at GCS.
Lyle Hotis lives on Scotch Settlement Road in Gouverneur with his wife, Ellen. His hobbies include taxidermy, giant pumpkin growing, and spending time at camp at Pleasant Lake.
The Gouverneur VFW Post No. 6338 will present the 67th Good Citizenship Of The Year Award to Lyle Hotis on Saturday, October 22 at the VFW Post, located 100 W. Main St. in Gouverneur. Social Hour will be from 5 to 6 p.m. with a baked ham dinner at 6 p.m. and an awards ceremony to follow.
The cost for dinner and dance is $12. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to dance to the music of Lacy Rae Peets at 9 p.m.; cost is $3 for dance only.
To make a reservation, call 287-4682.