THE MEMORIAL TREE
The Memorial Tree
July 06th, 2006 - 30th Anniversary Reunion
On July 6, 2006 The Red Bud Memorial Tree was delivered, by Rosedale Nurseries of Gardiner, N.Y. to the Valley Central High School.
The hole was dug by Kim & Frank Kosteczko.
Valley Central District Grounds Superintendent Steve Puntar & acting Vice Principal Steve Warner assist Kim in selecting the location of where to plant the tree.
The tree was then planted by Rosedale Nursery workers David Avila & Ramiro Carona.
Grounds Keepers Craig Capwell & Justin McCarthy removed the excess dirt and debris.
Principal Darryl Imperati in front of the newly planted Memorial Tree.
Kim is adding the final touch, the tree mulch.
Our VC ’76 Memorial Tree
After days and weeks of searching for just the right Memorial rock, Kim and Ruth were not having much luck at all. They had found two flat rocks, but they were just not thick enough. Kim started calling farmers and searched their rock walls, went to landscape centers, neighbors yards and even rode around Lake Osiris Golf Course for over an hour searching for a rock. Still no rock…
On July 7th, while showing Louie Estrada the Memorial Tree and where to set up his tent for the dedication service, Louie suggested to Kim to go to Kenny Darrigos parents Landscape business to see if they had a rock. They both felt like it was almost meant to be, to find a rock there.
They had two piles of rocks to look through, the first pile were not big enough, and then finally in the second pile of rocks, Kim found the Memorial rock right in the middle of the pile
With help from Kenny’s younger brother Danny Darrigo and his fork lift, the rock made its way to Kim’s truck.
Danny and Louie work together trying to put the rock onto the fork lift.
The rock makes its way slowly up the driveway, heading for its new home at Valley Central High School
Louie directs the stone into the truck.
Louie and Danny pose with the new Memorial stone.
Memorial Tree Donations
Donations as of 7/24/06 $1,788.00
| Name | Amount | Name | Amount | Vince Arcaro | $76.00 | Kim Baty Kosteczko | $25.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Beegle | $35.00 | Debra Bilyou Decker | $25.00 |
| Cindee Carlew Vignola | $5.00 | Steven Champion | $18.00 |
| Dave Cocks | $25.00 | Stephen Cook / Susan Ochs | $20.00 |
| Robert Cooper | $100.00 | Michael Crisci | $100.00 |
| Dr. James Darrigo | $100.00 | Paul DiNunzio | $25.00 |
| Kathleen Donohue | $50.00 | Kathleen Doulin | $50.00 |
| Kathy Emery | $50.00 | Louie Estrada | $20.00 |
| Steve Felter | $30.00 | Rita Estrada Flood | $25.00 |
| Christina Fernandez Peirson | $10.00 | Bruce Helstrom | $26.00 |
| Bob Himes | $20.00 | Frank Hubbard | $50.00 |
| Joe Keenan | $100.00 | Rich Kirnan | $50.00 |
| JoAnne Lynch Dunn | $25.00 | Jeff Lounsbury | $25.00 |
| Ann Luckas Davison | $25.00 | Ron MacDonald | $11.00 |
| Carleen Millsaps | $25.00 | John Panaro | $50.00 |
| Robert Pettine | $13.00 | Diane Ramirez Quinn | $20.00 |
| Diane Reese Moriarty | $10.00 | Sue Romano Kirkpatrick | $20.00 |
| Ranae Ruger Doland | $18.00 | Edward Saunders | $25.00 |
| Graham Skea | $25.00 | Stacey Smith Ross | $25.00 |
| Trixie Stockli Freeman | $30.00 | Diane Stuart Gallegos | $20.00 |
| Alice Swinden | $25.00 | Sid Vanderley | $26.00 |
| Linda Cosme - (Nelson's sister) | $100.00 | Bob Ciganek - Former Teacher | $50.00 |
| Mr. & Mrs. Wilfried Holik (Diane's parents) | $100.00 | Mr. Kevin McFadden- Former Teacher | $25.00 |
| Mr. Samuel Tucker-Former Guidance Counselor | $25.00 | Rev. Frank Wallner - Former Teacher | $35.00 |