Crab apple tree banned, but flowers planted

The Liverpool Community Gardeners were out in force on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10 down at Heid’s circle. Armed with spades, shovels, wheelbarrows and rakes, they dug out the turf, laid down some topsoil and planted flowers.

They’re calling it the “Garden of Liverpool.”

After submitting their planting plan to village hall, the Community Gardeners were issued a permit by the New York State Department of Transportation to go ahead, explained LCG director Kelley Romano.

“The original design included a crab apple tree in the center,” Romano said. “That was a good native tree choice because it would feed the birds. However, this was denied because it was deemed a road hazard. The rest of the perennials in the design were accepted.”

It seems as though anything that does not exceed two feet in height is acceptable.

Petunias too

The gardeners chose colors in shades of purples, contrasted with yellows and pinks. Some – such as sedum – will flower later this summer.

Ten volunteers from Liverpool came out Friday and Saturday last week to dig, grade, plant, mulch and water the garden. They included Aaron Buchta, Chris Hebblethwaite, Susan Henry, Semmler Horky, Kevin McElwee, Linda and Tom Ogden, Abby, Kelley and Mike Romano and Brannon Waters.

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On Thursday, June 15 Romano and her daughter, Abby, planted petunias in the outer circle.

“We couldn’t get the creeping phlox this late in the season, so my husband, Mike Romano, donated two flats of petunias to finish the Garden of Liverpool for this year,” Kelley said. “Petunias are annuals and will not grow back.”

Next spring, the gardeners are guaranteed the creeping phlox, a perennial, from Carol Watson Greenhouse in Lafayette.

This year, Mill Creek Product and Supplies donated two yards of natural untreated mulch for use at the site.

“After my initial phone call to them, the president of the company, Kim Viau, called me back and asked for a description of the project,” Kelley said. “Then she offered to donate the mulch without me even asking. She said they are happy to help beautify the village of Liverpool.”

Cassidy inducted

Former major-league pitcher Scott Cassidy – who lives in Liverpool – was inducted into Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame last week. A tenacious right-handed reliever, Cassidy pitched professionally for 10 seasons including stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres. In 2003 he hurled for the hometown Syracuse SkyChiefs in the International League, one rung below the big leagues.

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In the early-1990s Cassidy was a star pitcher at Liverpool High School where he played under Coach Bob Godin. His outstanding 1.17 earned-run average and 7-0 record earned him First Team All-County, National Amateur Pitcher and MVP honors.

Three years after he retired from the game, Cassidy was hired as head baseball coach at his alma mater, Le Moyne College. In 2015 Cassidy was inducted into the Le Moyne College Sports Hall of Fame, and this year he was honored by the Syracuse Sports HOF. CO vid cancels choral concert Did you think the COVID-19 pandemic was over? Well, think again.

On June 10, the Liverpool Community Chorus performance at Liverpool High School had to be canceled because so many of its members have been diagnosed with the virus. It’s said that more than 30 of the singers are sick.

Among those stricken was the chorus’s music director Joe Spado Jr. The 100+ member group was rehearsing a show titled “Love of Music Changes Everything.” After everyone recovers from the coronavirus, they hope to announce a rescheduled date; liverpoolcommunitychorus.org l ast word

“The support I’ve received [over the years] from our residents has been beyond party affiliations and truly feels like ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’”