Community members invited to hang names on Richville Memory Tree by appointment

by Rachel Hunter

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Richville Memory Tree Lighting will be conducted by Richville Library staff and volunteers on Sunday, November 29, at 6 p.m. Due to crowd gathering restrictions, there will be no tag retrieval and snacks available inside the Richville Library this year. The event will still be open to public, but all who donated toward the project are asked to remain socially distanced and wear facial masks.

North Country community members who would like to place names on the 2020 Richville Memory Tree can do so by appointment, starting Friday, November 27. All those who donated or wish to donate names are encouraged to call the Richville Library at 315-287-1481 to arrange for an appointment. Those wanting to send in names can still do so by sending the names and $1 donation per name to Memory Tree, PO Box 42 Richville, NY or drop off at the library during open hours (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.). All donations this year will be used to support the Richville Free Library. When you submit a donation, leave your name and phone number so that a volunteer can call you with an appointment time once the tag has been created.

The names can also be hung by Library staff and volunteers, if that is so desired.

All donations this year will be used to support the Richville Free Library, and all are encouraged to make donations to the 2020 Richville Memory Tree project as soon as possible. In years past, proceeds have gone to following: Wayside Cemetery Project, Richville Rockets 4-H Club, Richville Village Playground, Richville Baptist Chapel Chain Fund, Wounded Warrior Quilt Project, United Church Window Fund, Richville Baptist Chapel, Care Packages for Soldiers.

The 2020 Richville Memory Tree is a blue spruce that was planted near the Richville Free Library (87 Main St.), which was given by Harry and Bobbi Mitchell in memory of their son Brian who was in a car accident. A committee was formed – Bobbi Mitchell, Elaine Terpstra, Doris Cota, and Heather Bowman – the tree is dedicated to the memory of loved ones. Each memory name is placed on a tag which actually hangs on the tree. The memory names and giver names are placed in a window near the tree. The tree is lit from Thanksgiving weekend through New Years but the names remain in the window until Memorial Day.

For more information on the 2020 Richville Memory Tree, call the Richville Library at 315-287-1481.