Nyack Fire Company Finds Artful Alternative to Annual Pig Roast

By Nancy Phillips

There's more than one way to skin a pig, so says David "Trevor" Gottlieb, President of historic Empire Hook & Ladder Company #1 of Upper Nyack.

At this time of year, Empire's volunteer members would normally be stoking up the big ovens for the Company's annual pig roast. Not so this year. The roast, a gala and delicious affair that raises substantial funds for the Company's operations and community events, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Undaunted, the Company has found a creative new way to accomplish its fund-raising goals, with the added benefit of memorializing the historic Company and its volunteers, among whom the Company counts local heroes who gave their lives to save others in the 9-11 tragedy and its aftermath.

To replace the traditional fund-raiser, local artist, writer and activist Bill Batson stepped in to create an Empire #1 portrait in words and art — a line-drawing sketch of the historic building, with an essay telling the story of this remarkable, community-based and deeply American institution.

Working out of a building listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the volunteer company has served the Rockland County community for over 150 years since its founding in 1863 — through good times and bad, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, Empire #1 counts among its fearless firefighters 9-11 heroes Welles Crowther, Harry Wanamaker, and Joseph Stach, Jr.

"Empire #1 embodies the proud tradition of selflessness and sacrifice upheld by volunteer fire departments in communities nationwide," said Gottlieb. "There couldn't be a more fitting way to honor our history and celebrate the lives of those we've lost in service than to memorialize our history in words and art."

"Small towns do big things," added Batson. "As we work together to meet current challenges, we can rely on and celebrate the enduring power and rich traditions of local communities."

Prints of the Empire sketch are available by emailing David Gottlieb at DGottlieb@goosetown.com or Bill Batson at wrbatson@gmail.com. Prints are also available at the Nyack Farmer’s Market in the Main Street parking lot on Thursdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Priced at $60 each, the prints are signed and numbered by the artist, and printed on 16″ x 20″ 315 gram 100 percent cotton watercolor paper. Further details at https://billbatsonarts.com/