Harley dealer helps hometown church

Harley Davidson of Utica donates $2,500to Sylvan Beach Union Chapel to kickstart roof replacement fund.

SYLVANBEACH » Harley Davidson of Utica has kicked off Sylvan Beach Union Chapel’s “Raising the Roof Fund” with a gift of $2,500.

Joe Carbone, owner of Harley Davidson of Utica and a longtime resident of Sylvan Beach, presented the donation to Tanya Pifer, a member of the Sylvan Beach Union Chapel’s Board of Trustees. “During the summer, the chapel plays an integral role in the Sylvan Beach community,” Carbone said. “Maintaining the integrity of the chapel for parishioners to enjoy now and in the future is important to me.”

“On behalf of the Trustees of the Sylvan Beach Union Chapel I sincerely thank Harley Davidson of Utica and Joe Carbone for this generous donation to the chapel roof replacement fund,” Pifer said. “Work on the new roof is currently underway by roofers from Campany and should be completed by Labor Day Weekend, for which we are extremely grateful.”

The chapel’s operating budget is funded by donations from individuals and businesses in the Central New York area. The structure, located on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, was named to the State and Federal Registry of Historic Places in 2009. On Sundays in the summer months, guest clergy from around the state donate their time to conduct nondenominational worship services for area residents.

The Super Jam 2017 fundraiser will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 2-6 p.m. at Harpoon Eddie’s on Park Avenue, to support the Raising the Roof Fund and other restoration projects for the chapel.

“We have a great line up of musicians donating their time to entertain everyone at this year’s event,” said Linda Palmer, chair of Super Jam 2017. “With us will be Mark Bolos, Dale Brown, CATO, Bernie Clarke, Dave DeSantis, Skosh Fearon, Joe Ferlo, Liz Friedel, Rick Kimball, Lisa Murphy, Juliane Price and Aaron Scott. There will be raffles and for a $5 donation, attendees can walk a short distance to the chapel, which will be open for viewing, and ring its bell.”

Sylvan Beach Union Chapel, originally named the Sylvan Beach Mission and Chapel, was formed on Oct. 11, 1886 to perform missionary work and arouse an increased interest in religious matters in Sylvan Beach and the vicinity. Papers for the formation of the chapel were filed by 25 women who wanted to have a church for their children to attend Sunday school.

Donations for the “Raising the Roof Fund” may be mailed to: Sylvan Beach Union Chapel, P.O. Box 182, North Bay, N.Y. 13123.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Workers from Campany Roofing began replacing the roof of the Sylvan Beach Union Chapel on Monday, Aug. 14. The chapel received a $2,500gift for the restoration from Harley Davidson of Utica, which is the kick start to this year’s roof repair...