COLUMBUS – Family, friends and neighbors recently expressed their appreciation for longtime dairy farmer, agricultural industry leader and community volunteer, Donald Johnson.

Johnson, who was diagnosed a year ago with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, found himself surrounded by about 300 people – including members of the New Berlin Fire Department where he formerly served as chief -– who came to show their appreciation for his many contributions.

“He’s done a lot for Columbus, for the Chenango County Fair and the Morris Fair, including a lot of stuff behind the scenes quietly,” said Supervisor George G. Coates.

Fran Winton, a friend of Johnson’s all of his life, said he and his wife, Linda helped organize a day of appreciation on Aug. 22 to thank Johnson for all he had done, including throwing a fundraiser when Winton was diagnosed with lymphoma a year and half ago.