PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BUCHS, MERRIMAN HONORED IN ARBOR DAY PROGRAM … Members of the late Don Buchs and Charles Merriman families gathered in front of the plaques honoring their longtime service to the Edgerton community during its annual Arbor Day Program held Friday, April 24. From left front row: Kim Buchs, Tammy Buchs, Sabrina Bowman, Judy Hendricks, Priscilla Merriman, Barb Blue, Shayla Carlisle, and Kodie Carlisle. Back row from left: Tammy Wright, Caleb Wright, and Nolan Wright.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
For the last 34 years, the annual Arbor Day Program has taken on an important significance in the Village of Edgerton, and on Friday, April 24, the village honored the late Don Buchs and the late Charles Merriman with a pair of Brandywine Maple trees planted just behind Village Hall for their longtime dedication to the village.
“We’re here today to dedicate two trees for two village members that have done great service for the Village of Edgerton,” said Edgerton Mayor Robert Day.
The village also honored Buchs and Merriman with plaques that will be displayed on the newly planted trees, which were placed by village employees afterward. Family members of both men were also in attendance for the tree planting.
Don Buchs was a 1951 Edgerton High School graduate who spent 12 years on the village council.
“Just last July Don (Buchs) after even when he was off council, he was the one who would go all over town and keep the mayor informed of all the things the mayor needs to know, and I really appreciated it,” said Day. “He (Buchs) revealed his love for the community.”
Day remembered the time when Buchs was in Montpelier for a period of recovery after he had fallen; the mayor stopped over to see how he was doing.
“He (Buchs) gave me the story of what had happened, and he said, ‘can I tell you something,’ and I said sure,” said Day. “He told me out to Miller Park on that dirt lane back to the boat ramp, I knew that he (Buchs) was fine.”
Last July, Day presented Buchs the “Watchman on the Wall” plaque to signify his continued service to the community, and Day was glad to do it.
Charles Merriman was a 1962 Edgerton High School graduate. He served on the Edgerton Local School Board as well as on the Edgerton Park and Summer Recreation boards and the Edgerton Tree Commission.
He was involved in coaching youth sports and was a part of the Edgerton Historical Society.
“Both of them (Buchs) and (Merriman) were heavily involved in the community, and that’s why we want to take this time to honor them today,” said Day.
“When I was doing the homework, I saw where both had worked at Robinair in Edgerton at one time and found it an interesting fact. That’s why we are here and want to take this opportunity to thank them for their service to the community.”
Edgerton has also been a part of Tree City U.S.A. for over three decades now, and it’s one of the reasons the village holds its annual Arbor Day program.
The mayor pointed out that 54 trees were planted in Edgerton last year and 10 trees have already been planted this year.
“Hopefully we’re being a little wiser on locations, not up against sidewalks, not under power lines, some places are little, shorter trees like flowering trees,” said the mayor. “So, we try to have a different maturity of trees, so they don’t all come age out at the same time which we’re having some of that right now.”
Former Edgerton Tree Commission President and Police Chief Dan Griffin addressed the crowd about the value of trees.
Griffin reflected on his own connection with Don Buchs and Charles Merriman.
“I served with Chuck Merriman on the Tree Commission for several years and he was an awesome man who cared a lot about this town,” said Griffin.
“I have a special connection to Don Buchs who is an awesome guy and has been friends for years. He (Buchs) always loved to dig, and I remember him forever with that.”
He then talked about the importance of trees, quizzing those in attendance about various kinds of trees, including the redwood tree located in Redwood National Park in Northern California, which is the largest tree in the world at over 381.3 feet tall and 50.3 feet in diameter.
Also in attendance were fifth graders from Edgerton Elementary School; second, third, and fourth graders from St. Mary’s Catholic School, who performed a music selection; and the Edgerton High School choir, which performed a couple of music selections.
