Perry Rotary Club 

Meetings held every Thursday at 12:15 at the Perry Masonic Lodge, Main St., Perry, NY

Our newest Paul Harris Fellow

On December 27, 2007, Hans Kunze, on behalf of Perry Rotary, Honored Rick Hauser with a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award.

This award is Rotary’s highest honor and it deservedly goes to a very dedicated young man who has tirelessly served our community for so many years, bringing vitality, enthusiasm, vision, revitalization, and promise to Perry’s future.

Though, not actually a Rotarian, Rick has worked closely with our Club for the past decade.  He is a very dedicated, charitable, self-motivated humanitarian who continues to dedicate himself to our community.

Rick was born December 4, 1970 and grew up in Brewster, NY which is in Putnam County on the eastern edge of NY State.  He was the fourth child of five and had the formidable task of growing up with 4 sisters.  His proud parents are George and Fran Hauser from Cobelskill, NY.  Rick grew up helping his father in the wood business.  From there he went to Cornell University to study Landscape Architecture.  He graduated in 1992 and then did a one year fellowship in England.  In 1993 he returned and got married to his wonderful wife, Meghan DeGolyer, who grew up on a very reputable local dairy farm called Table Rock Farms, a truly dedicated philanthropist and pillar of our community, also.  Meghans parents are Willard and Maureen DeGolyer.

Though Table Rock Farm had numerous employment and management level positions available, Rick decided to pursue his Masters of Architecture at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, graduating in 1996.  Shortly thereafter, they returned to the Village of Perry to live and Rick took a position with the Doran Yarrington Architectural firm in Rochester for several years.  Upon moving to Perry, Rick immediately sensed a need to help a rural town facing the challenges of a changing business climate – like so many other towns and villages.  In 1997 he volunteered to be on the “Old School” Task Force that was established by, then Superintendent, Chuck Chester as the new Middle School was already built.  Rick’s call to duty involved building consensus in the community in evaluating the saving of and utilization of the old school.  Rick had done a great deal of research on old schools around the country and hosted several RFP’s – requests for proposals in his spare time.  Meanwhile, he and Megan were busy formulating plans to bring First Night to Perry.  Through the initial funding of this annual event by Rotary and several dedicated sponsors, and a vision for community cooperation, the Hausers were successful at launching the first First Night in December of 1998.  As a member of our Rotary First Night Committee way back then and having frequent meetings throughout the entire year of 1998, I can attest to the dedication of this couple to bring this event together.  Yes, they had a coalition of Rotarians and community volunteers to work with, however, if it weren’t for the hundreds of hours of behind the scenes planning and lining up of entertainment providers – and sponsors to help pay for them—there would not have been a First Night in Perry.  Let’s not forget the motive here, which was to provide a non-alcoholic family fun night for many people in the community who normally might have done nothing – or something that they might not ought to have been doing!  First Night, now called Last Night, will be celebrating its 10^th anniversary this New Year’s Eve and for that we are grateful to Meghan and Rick for their unending dedication.

So, as if Rick’s working as an architect in Rochester, and Meghan’s co-managing Table Rock Farm, and finding a use for the old school, and keeping First Night growing, and envisioning the future wasn’t enough, the family began to grow with the arrival of their first of three sons, Abraham -- and what else, but How about a Perry Farmers’ Market!?  The market idea began in 2000 and opened in 2002 – again due to the partnering with the community and the perseverance and leading role of Rick and Meghan.  Six years later, the market continues with not only quality vendors, but a wonderful array of entertainment, bringing good old fashioned laughter and fellowship to downtown Perry from the many people of neighboring towns and Silver Lake every Saturday morning throughout the summer!

Well, with all this going on in Perry, it was time for Rick to stop traveling to Rochester to work every day, so he decided to start his own architectural firm here in Perry in 2001, initially working out of the Town Hall.  Then establishing his growing business in the old school, and ultimately buying the former Jayson’s building (more historically known as the Busey Building.)  That building, on a prominent corner of a struggling Perry  Main Street economy was given a wonderful facelift and extensive renovation that would have made Thomas Busey so happy to see!  Rick’s actions in “putting his money where his mouth is” helped set a great example of revitalizing downtown and was done with so much pride! Today we continue to enjoy this shining star right in the heart of downtown Perry!

Rick, together with his wife’s support and encouragement, still knew more had to be done and began writing grants in cooperation with the Village to develop a Master Plan for downtown revitalization.  Rick’s ability to partner with many other community members and concerned citizens was the chemistry needed to form the Perry Main St. Association in early 2006, which is a coalition of about 130 participants master planning, via many various subcommittees, Perry’s future and its ability to adjust to the changing business climate and demographics involved in today’s retail world.  The development of the Silver Lake Trail and vision for attracting more tourists to Perry are all helping in this uphill initiative.  The recent formation of the Perry NY LLC is another creative way or plan to restore yet another formerly vital retail establishment known as the Montesano Building, into a vibrant and attractive building.  I’m sure that Rufus Smith, the original owner of the building would also be thrilled to see this initiative being made by over 20 local investors to rehab all three floors, both inside and out.

So, here we are, a little over ten years after the Hausers moved to the village of Perry, having witnessed tireless enthusiasm from a couple that could have taken the easy way out by simply waiting for someone else to take the ball and run with it.  But, no, despite being busy with their own significant businesses, raising three children, and Rick teaching almost full time at Hobart and William & Smith College in Geneva, they still continue to dedicate themselves to our community with the vim and vigor they had when they first arrived in the village!   Though Rick and Meghan will undoubtedly continue to modestly divert the spotlight away from themselves – claiming that it is a community partnership that makes things happen – we do need to recognize them today for their generosity and devotion to our community.  They are perfect examples, to us Rotarians and all community members, of what sincere dedication is all about.  Paul Harris, Rotary’s founder, certainly would have been proud of them!  We can’t help, but to also thank their parents for instilling such motivation and dedication in their children!

So we are honoring Rick Hauser with this Paul Harris Award as a token of our appreciation for your dedication to our community.  And Meghan, we congratulate you on the ten year anniversary of Last Night, your behind the scenes work, and for your generous support of Rick, and for sharing him with our community.  Rick, you bring us a vision for the future by not only leading us, but also by setting a wonderful example through your actions and your ability to build partnerships.  We wish you all the best and thank you for all you have done for us!

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