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Recreation Director Ed Sturgeon is looking for a new home for about 300 to 400 trophies in storage at the town's Youth Center.
Recreation Director Ed Sturgeon is looking for a new home for about 300 to 400 trophies in storage at the town's Youth Center.

Santa to visit Wheatfield Saturday

by jmaloni
Thu, Nov 29th 2012 12:00 pm

by Susan Mikula Campbell

Wheatfield's annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday party at the town's Community Center will begin at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, with the arrival of Santa aboard a St. Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Co. fire truck.

The man of the season will pick some helpers from the crowd to give him a hand with throwing the switch for the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Then, everyone will go inside for a concert, cookie decorating and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, according to town Recreation Director Ed Sturgeon.

Glenn Colton, author, songwriter and children's entertainer, will provide the concert. Colton has performed at Wheatfield a number of times in the past and wanted to include the town in his "farewell tour," Sturgeon said.

"The kids love him; he puts on a really good show," he said.

Sturgeon reminded residents about the free event at Monday's Town Board meeting.

Sturgeon also noted that he is looking for a new home for about 300 to 400 trophies in storage at the town's Youth Center. When he started working for the town in 2003, there were already boxes of trophies, primarily for baseball, softball and cheerleading.

Most are individual trophies that winning team members never picked up; others include team trophies, right up to grand championship. Trophies are displayed in the Youth Center's three trophy cases, but are rotated out as new ones are brought in by winning teams. A minimum of 30 to 35 new trophies arrive each year, Sturgeon said.

He's willing to give away the old trophies individually or in total at no charge. He's hoping some local group will be interested in reusing them.

"They can change the nameplates on them, rather than me just tossing them in a dumpster," he said. "It's almost like re-gifting."

Anyone interested in the old trophies can call 731-3942.

In other matters:

•Members of the Wheatfield Seniors interested in attending the annual Christmas party and installation of officers are reminded that reservations must be made by Dec. 7 by calling 694-8509 or coming to the Community Center for tickets. The event will be at noon Dec. 13 at Classics V on Niagara Falls Boulevard. Cost for members is $8 and for guests, $13.

•The board authorized Wendel Duchscherer Architects and Engineers to provide engineering services and support for a geotechnical evaluation on Craig Drive at a cost of up to $4,500. Three borings will be done to determine what is going on below the surface of the road. The first part of the road is deteriorating badly. Highway Superintendent Art Kroening said he believes the study is necessary. There have been cave-ins between the houses, which had to be repaired, so he has expected the worst in terms of the road, he said.

•The board gave final approval for three different plans developed by the Town Centre Focus Group for use of town-owned land off Witmer Road near Town Hall. For about three years, the volunteer group has been investigating ways the land might best be used. The next step will be to present the plans to interested developers.

•The board authorized the hiring of Alana Crossley as a recreation aide at the Youth Center.

•The next meeting of the Wheatfield Town Board will be at 7:25 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, starting with a public hearing on the town's approval for Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co.'s purchasing and financing of a new ladder truck. There is no town cost or liability.

Unless it becomes necessary, there will be no second meeting in December due to the holiday. The board will take care of bill payment and any pressing items at its 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, reorganization meeting. Regular meetings in January will be on Mondays, Jan. 14 and 28.

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