Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell comes out from his groundhog den and looks around. If he sees his shadow, it means he'll write a city memo that week. If he doesn't, that means he's a vampire. Fortunately, he saw his shadow this week.
split and swap
Perennial exchange
The 11th annual Perennial Exchange will be held, rain or shine, behind the City Auditorium on May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon. This is an opportunity for gardeners to “split and swap” perennial plants with someone else and, best of all, it's free.
Don't have any to swap? All are welcome to come and see what's available and make a donation. Different plants arrive throughout the morning, Aspell writes.
The Perennial Exchange also features a sale of affordable annuals and traditional Mothers Day Mugs, stuffed with annuals for sale for $2 – a great Mothers Day gift. Tickets will be sold for a gardening raffle with prizes available from local vendors. Coffee and refreshments will also be available.
For more information, contact Karon Devoid at the General Services Department at 230-3907.
police dept. awards
Cops in the spotlight
On April 14, the Concord Police Department held its annual awards ceremony to recognize officers and civilian employees for demonstrating extraordinary efforts in the performance of their duties.
The Police Officer of the Year Award, Aspell writes, was given to Detective Marc McGonagle in recognition of his high degree of motivation and dedication, commitment to public service, positive attitude and contributions to the department.
The Civilian Employee of the Year Award was given to Administrative Technician Carol Lane in recognition of her ability to work independently, take on new challenges, and provide a high volume of work that is instrumental in enabling the Records Division to continue providing services to the department and the citizens of Concord.
Cemetery ceremony
After four years of research and the discovery of 347 adults and 853 infants buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery without record or monument, cemetery staff invites the community to attend monument dedications at Blossom Hill and Calvary cemeteries to honor and remember the inpiduals buried there.
The Common Ground Monument in Blossom Hill will be a lasting tribute to those who left this world long ago, shrouded in silence, Aspell writes. The Infant Loss Monument, “Along the Wall,” will provide a permanent sacred place for all those enduring the sadness and suffering of infant loss. The service will be held, rain or shine, on May 1 at 2 p.m. at Blossom Hill Cemetery. Rev. Terry Donovan Odell will officiate the service, which will begin at the Perkins Chapel located to the right of the cemetery's main entrance.
For more information, call the Cemetery Office at 225-3911.
