Concord celebrates Arbor Day with tree planting

Overcast weather conditions did not deter a group of Concord residents from planting a bicentennial maple tree at Concord Community Park on Arbor Day, April 27.

The 14-foot tall, 3-inch in diameter hybrid maple was donated by Mark Schichtel and Schichtel’s Nursery in honor of the town’s 200 years of existence. Town Supervisor Gary Eppolito also arranged for small red maple saplings to be handed out to those in attendance.

Town Historian Dave Batterson spoke to the crowd of onlookers about the significance of the tree industry to the growth of Concord. A poem was then recited by a member of the fifth and sixth grade student council, who had accompanied Springville Elementary Principle Marcole Feuz to the ceremony.

Concord Bicentennial Steering Committee members Jean Maul and Paul Salzler organized the event. Maul made the early arrangements and Salzler and his planting crew carried the project through to completion.

The bicentennial tree is located north of the entrance to the Concord Community Park on the corner of Boston State and North Buffalo roads. Later this spring, a Scenic Byway road sign depicting a rural route through Erie County will be placed there, as well.

In other bicentennial news:

- The Antique Appraisal Show, which was originally scheduled to be held during the Fiddle and Bluegrass Festival on Aug. 4, is in need of a sponsor. Any organization or group interested in taking over this project can send a representative to the May 4 or 10 steering committee meeting at the Concord Town Hall. The Friday morning meetings run from 10 a.m. - noon and are open to the public.

- Local author Jeff Miller will be reprising his talk on Springville football Coach Glenn “Pop” Warner on Saturday, June 2 at the town hall. Also on the agenda for that afternoon will be an updated version of Derek Otto’s presentation, which was originally shown at the town of Concord birthday party, and a full concert by the Fiddler’s Green Band, featuring local duo Barb Bohneberg and Leanna Pfeffer. The times for that event will be announced at a later date.

- Registration for the 2 Oct. 7 bicentennial mile races will be available June 1 at www.buffalorunners.com. The boys and girls scholastic races will be for runners 18 years of age and younger, while the masters event includes participants 50 and older. Runners of any age may compete in the men’s and women’s open divisions.