BUHL DAY Volunteers keep community celebration alive

The new chairwoman said she couldn't bear to see the tradition end.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- After several months of speculation that there might not be a 25th anniversary Buhl Day celebration, two volunteers have stepped forward to coordinate it.
Buhl Day honors the memory of the late Frank and Julia Buhl, who created Buhl Farm Park as a place of recreation for community residents.
The event had fallen on hard times in recent years with rising costs and dropping support forcing organizers to consider canceling Buhl Day.
The Buhl Day Committee has to raise all the money and do all the planning for the event. The F.H. Buhl Trustees, which oversee the park, provide the grounds, but the committee must come up with the $30,000 to put on the event each Labor Day.
To the rescue
Janet Buzzeo, who has served as Buhl Day Parade chairwoman for the past several years, has offered to serve as Buhl Day chairwoman for the 25th anniversary this year. Jessica Yourema, a senior math education major at Youngstown State University, will assist her.
"I couldn't bear to see the Valley lose this wonderful tradition," Buzzeo said.
"However, I knew I would need another set of hands to help me out, so I recruited a dynamic 'ex-student' of mine to bring in some new ideas for this special anniversary year," she said.
Buzzeo said many familiar faces have agreed to stay on the various committees to make sure the day goes smoothly, but several new people have been added to ensure that Buhl Day will continue into the future.
There is still a need for volunteers and donations, and Buzzeo is asking community groups and individuals to step forward.
Keepsake
This year will feature a commemorative edition keepsake marking the 25th anniversary of the modern version of Buhl Day. (Buhl Day started in 1915 and was held annually until the start of World War II. It resumed in 1980.)
There are also plans this year for a theatrical piece based on the writings of Frank and Julia Buhl.
Plans are in motion for the annual parade, which will be at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 6, and Donna Oliver, this year's chairwoman, is seeking participants. The early parade announcement should give school and community groups time to decide if they will participate, she said.
The parade is traditionally led by three honored guests, residents of the community selected by the Buhl Day Committee for their leadership, time and goodwill given to the community.
Oliver is also looking for parade marshals to help in the line-up process.
Aug. 1 is the parade registration deadline and entries or offers of assistance should be sent to Oliver at 10 Stone Ridge Blvd., Hermitage, Pa., 16148.
XDonations or offers of volunteer assistance for Buhl Day should be sent to the Buhl Day Committee at P.O. Box 1206, Hermitage, Pa., 16148. Volunteers should include their daytime and nighttime telephone numbers.