- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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She cited the Michigan native's accomplishments as manager for the Dairy Records Processing Labs for the New York State Dairy Herd improvement Cooperative, including his creation of a data base used to keep extensive records on cows. "In your relentless search for better ways of doing things," she said, "you led the transition of this logistical challenge from punch cards to optical scanners to computerized, Internet transmitted data entry and management."
Ms. Hautaniemi also cited Mr. Wadell's volunteerism, particularly at the Lansing Community Library Center, where he created a data management system and has been active in many capacities and programs. "12,000 books are a snap compared to 750,000 cows," laughed Ms. Hautaniemi. She also mentioned that Mr. Wadell is the webmaster for the Town of Lansing's Web site, helps to build sets for Lansing High School plays and volunteers for the Lansing Food Pantry.
Characteristically, Mr. Wadell deflected the attention from himself to the causes he cares so much about when he spoke after accepting the award. "Lansing is very fortunate to have our library," he said. "It's taken care of 100% by volunteers. While some of us are here tonight there are volunteers taking keeping the library open." He paid tribute to the over 30 volunteers that keep the library open 6 days a week for the community.
Mr. Wadell was genuinely surprised. "I kept looking around, because I thought this gathering was for some other person."
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Note: Lyle Wadell is a frequent contributor to the Lansing Star who writes articles largely to do with the Lansing Community Library Center.
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