The Aurelius Volunteer Fire Department had a machinery consignment auction in March and did very well financially.

In March, the overflow pipe of the Cayuga village froze. The water had to find another way out, and thus formed a beautiful ice sculpture.

There was energy conservation in Aurelius. On Route 326, a house had bales of straw against the exterior of the house to insulate the basement.

The new Town Barn held an open house for the public on Saturday, April 19. The new $180,000 town garage and office facility measure 60-by-130 feet with a 60-by-30 section devoted to office space and meeting room. The project began the previous August. It houses the town's highway department, with room to spare. The equipment storage space has a gas-fired heating system that radiates heat downward using reflective metals. It also has the superintendent's office, along with an office for the town clerk, where bills will be paid, and a room that doubles as town courtroom and Town Council Hall. It is located on West Genesee Road. The town paid the entire bill for the facility with about $100,000 of it being bonded.

In May, a ground-breaking for the Aurelius East Firehouse on Half Acre Road was held. The land for this firehouse was donated by Ruth and Ralph Webster.

An interesting tidbit - a house on the move was a traffic stopper. Motorists no doubt did a double take while traveling on the arterial. Mr. and Mrs. William Komanecky had a house moved from its former location on Clark Street Road to a site on Prospect Street. Police escorted the house to its new location.

Aug. 3, 1980: The Ladies Division of the Cayuga Fire Department announced the following winners of a cake contest held during their field days. The winners included: Ginger Deal, Susan Groesbeck and Karen Witchey in the advanced field; Susan Baity, Liz Alnutt and Leslie Carter in the beginner field; and Ben Frendak, Maureen Kuhlman and Mary Suzarby in the novelty field. The cakes were judged by Marion Case, Irene Robinson and Gladys Zentner.

The 60th Anniversary of Beacon Milling Company, Inc. was celebrated at the annual sales conference held at Wells College in Aurora in August. It was dedicated to Lloyd Riford Sr., one of the founders of the company. President Wilbur Townsend paid tribute to Riford, the only living founder of the original four. Riford acknowledged the tribute, asking his wife to share in this honor for her many contributions over the years.

Fosterville United Methodist Church celebrated its 125th anniversary in October. The church was organized as a union church by Methodists and Presbyterians in 1855.

The Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius was expected to open the second week of April. J.C. Penney, restaurants and smaller stores opened around April 9. K-Mart was expected to open in late April or early May. More than 100 merchants were expected to be at the mall eventually.

Plans called for 72 stores, 18 restaurants and a number of small kiosks. Officials expected the facility to have about 600 full-time and 300 part-time employees.

Ruth Probst is historian for the town of Aurelius.