Memorial garden to be dedicated

Memorial garden to be dedicated

On Saturday, July 21, at 2:30 p.m. the public is invited to attend a Dedication Ceremony of the James E. Widener Garden of Recognition, honoring US Armed Forces Veterans who served from the Churchville-Chili Senior High School Class of 1966. It is being held on the Churchville-Chili Central School Campus at 139 Fairbanks Road, Churchville, located in the stadium and near the James E. Widener Garden of Recognition. Musicians, Military Color and Honor Guards will be present.

The Churchville-Chili Senior High School Class of 1966 will present this gift to the Churchville-Chili Central School District. The James E. Widener Memorial Scholarship has been re-established and will be sponsored by the Churchville-Chili Senior High School Class of 1966 and the Chili American Legion Post 1830. It has been created for a graduating senior in tribute to Widener who was a three-sport varsity athlete. Last fall, his body was recovered, returned to the U.S. and was given a final resting place in Arlington National cemetery. He served in Vietnam and was KIA/MIA for 39 years.

The Garden of Recognition, designed by classmate Dan Nelmes, consists of: trees, granite benches, rose bushes, a natural rock from Churchville given by classmate Cathy Duell Hunt and husband Fred Hunt, a plaque naming the James E. Widener Garden of Recognition and a tribute with appreciation to the veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces from the CCCS Class of 1966. A tree is being given in Widener's memory to the Chili American Legion Post 1830.

The Dedication Committee consists of Churchville-Chili Senior High School Class of 1966: Catherine Duell Hunt, Dan Nelmes, Rebecca "Becky" Maysick Coghlan, Roger Pimm, Ron Fodge, Sharon Herley Hardin, Stephen H. Smith Marilyn Tomb Terpening, and Vivian Tomb Johnston. Reunion Committee members are Catherine Duell Hunt, Ronald Fodge, Roger Pimm and Lucille "Lucy" Di Maria Flint.