Webb School Memorials honor notable contributors by Lizzie Riehle
Town of Webb School Building
This new school year, four new trees were planted outside of the Town of Webb School along with a brand new sign that was constructed out front.
There is a special story behind those four trees, and chances are if you think they are there for the Adirondack looks—then you don’t know about all of the other memorials placed in the Town of Webb Union Free School District.
Throughout the entire school there is a different story waiting somewhere to be told, yet so few people know about them.
In the past, very dedicated and influential faculty have retired; including Mr. Downey, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Allen and more.
But placed around the school are many different types of memorials in honor of various people who have made changes to the school and community in the years past.
On the bench located in the schools walkers’ doors and in the courtyard, are two memorials dedicated in honor of Dorothy Gifford.
On the bench, the legend explains that Gifford was a secretary for the Town of Webb, a volunteer, and a great friend.
“Forever offering a kind thought, smile, or encouraging word. Her loyal service and faithful dedication to the Town of Webb Schools- Will Long Be Remembered July 4, 1916-May 7, 2001.”
Also located outside the main entrance of the school are two small, but special plaques in honor of William H. Covey and Fred W. Pashley.
Each of them served in the time of war, Covey ‘paying the supreme sacrifice’ in World War I and Pashley in World War II.
Outside of Town of Webb School there is a sign posting new events, meetings, and so on.
Placed right along the new sign are the four newly planted trees.
The trees definitely have an Adirondack look to them, but the trees planted out there have more of a story to them than meets the eye.
Superintendent Don Gooley explained that each tree is there to honor a certain person.
The trees honor Al Stripp, Joe Dunn, Jack Leach, and Chief Maurice Dennis, all former staff members at Town of Webb.
Before the school had the previous trees taken down, many town members were telling one another how they thought the trees had always been there and shouldn’t have been taken down.
However, staff members who saw the trees outside their classrooms were grateful that the trees didn’t go through their windows.
Brendan McGrath, school counselor, put on a small smile and said, “Yeah, I remember them taking the trees down, they almost went through my window.”
Almost every honoree has passed away in the years since the original trees were planted.
Dave Leach was willing to talk about having his father honored with a tree outside.
Mr. Leach explained the story of Arbor Day, a day in which you celebrate tree memorials.
He was happy to talk about how neat he thought it was to have his father so loved in this school that a tree was planted in his honor.
Mr. Leach said that one of the trees taken down was his father’s. With a smile on his face he continued, “hopefully, the next ones won’t grow so fast and hide the school.”
The whole tree project took a lot of planning. Mike Gardner, custodian manager, said that everything new out front was a full plan.
Starting last year, the school made the plan for cutting down the old trees, building a new sign, and replanting each new tree.
The new trees were successfully replanted this year, remaking history all over again.
