fill two days Focus on 'common vision' On Arbor Day/Earth Day thousands of seedlings are put into the earth by citizens across the country with an eye on the future, hoping the seeds they sow will become tomorrow’s shade trees, providing shelter, beauty and cleaner air. Closer to home, the Town of Riga/Village of Churchville Arbor Day Celebration, April 25 and 26, will celebrate more than the planting of trees. It will celebrate the growing spirit of cooperation between town and village, replacing divisiveness with new hope for a cohesive community. "There has been criticism that the town board and the village board don’t get along well," said Pamela Moore, member of the Riga Town Council and chair of the Arbor Day Committee. "This is one more step in demonstrating for the community that their elected officials work together amicably." Moore said she and Village Trustee Nancy Steedman have worked hard to overcome the perception of a divided community through their work on the master plan committee, where they are drawing up a plan for the future of both town and the village with a common vision. They agreed the Arbor Day celebration is a perfect joint effort. "We’re trying to promote more town and village activities and this seemed like a perfect event for the two of us to team up and celebrate with the community," said Steedman. Moore said the response from the community has been overwhelming. "People were calling and asking to participate," she said. "Originally we were planning a one day, small thing. The list of partners grew--the enthusiasm is huge!" Now two full days of events - from a children’s coloring contest to tree plantings to gardening seminars - are planned. Events kick off on Friday with tree plantings at the Churchville Elementary School at 11 a.m., the Village Hall gazebo at 3:15 p.m., and on the banks of Black Creek from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Moore said wherever she turned for help she found willing volunteers. For instance, when Brownie Troop 958 volunteered to work on a bioengineering project with the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District, planting trees on the banks of Black Creek, the CVFD (Churchville Volunteer Fire Department) and its Explorer Post offered to be on hand to help out - and to ensure no Brownies ended up in the creek. "The Fire Department was great, they said ‘Anything you need, we’ll be there. People, trucks, tables....whatever.’ " Moore said. It is the spirit of cooperation that makes the event special, Moore said, citing the tree planting at the town park on Buffalo Road at noon Saturday. The tree will be planted by the Senior Citizens of Riga, along with the winners of the children’s coloring contest. Members of the fire department offered to help dig the hole and run a fire hose for watering the new tree. Many events will take place on the front lawn of the Newman-Riga Library in the village. Librarian Donna Haire said she will be displaying children’s entries to the coloring contest inside the library, along with books on trees, all available during library hours. Haire said she is also excited about the hour-long storytelling session beginning at 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, featuring "three local celebrities." Churchville-Chili Superintendent of Schools Annemarie Spadafora, Village Mayor Donald R. Ehrmentraut, and town council member Robert Ottley will read, in addition to Haire, and "a special library patron." "I told everyone to find a story they were comfortable and happy with," Haire said. "Some have chosen their favorites." Haire said the story-telling will be suitable for everyone from pre-schoolers to school-age kids and up. During the story-telling, and throughout the weekend, events will be taking place outside, including an "Ask the Expert" session on gardening topics with Arbor Day Committee members and master gardeners from the Monroe County Cooperative Extension. Friday night will cap off with a spaghetti dinner at the Union Congregational Church, and at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, the Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post Auxiliary will host a pancake breakfast. On Saturday, talks beginning at 10 a.m. at the Riga Town Park, across Buffalo Road from the legion post, will include topics such as "Choosing the Correct Species," "How to Prune," and "Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat." The Churchville Lions Club will head a "spruce-up" at the Sprucewood Nature Center on Saturday, and are looking for helpers. Winners of the children’s coloring contest will be announced at the noon tree planting at the town park, where all participants will be awarded a sapling. Moore said she is especially excited about the partnership with the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. Not only will they hold a gardening discussion, but they have begun a town-wide tree inventory, the results of which will be displayed at the library throughout the celebration. Moore said the American Chestnut Foundation has also come on board, and will have a display at the town park on Buffalo Road that weekend. A complete list of events and partners can be viewed at the Town of Riga website, at www.townofriga.org. "Pam has done a lot of work. She has done a marvelous job getting a lot of people to participate," said Steedman. Committee members include Moore, Steedman, Haire, Riga Recreation Director Cathy Anderson, Riga Conservation Board Chair Dave Mundie, and residents Veronica Palmer and Jessie Moore. Moore said anyone who would like to help out, or anyone with ideas or comments, is welcome to contact her through the town office, at 293-3880. "I can’t tell you how excited I am," said Moore. "This is, without a doubt, the first thing I have done as a board member where the enthusiasm was so overwhelming. It shows me that people love our community." |
