Clubs, schools celebrate Arbor Day by planting
Arbor Day is a time to recognize the importance of trees.
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Columbia County sheriff's Cpl. Wesley Mack's mother holds an Arbor Day proclamation while family members watch at the Columbia County Clean and Beautiful and Martinez-Evans Rotary Club Arbor Day ceremony. The clubs planted a tree in Mack's honor. Mack was killed while patrolling Interstate 20 on his motorcycle in July. The clubs also honored other members of the community.
Photo by Valerie Rowell
Recently, several Columbia County groups did just that, planting trees celebrating the international holiday, which is observed in Georgia during the third week of February.
Columbia County Clean and Beautiful and the Martinez-Evans Rotary Club came together Friday for a special celebration at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, during which four trees were planted in honor of four people.
"Just think about where we would be without these trees and the things they provide," said guest speaker Steve Friedman, the Nature Conservancy protection director. He reminded guests about the impact the four people being honored had on their communities.
Trees were planted in memory of Columbia County sheriff's Cpl. Wesley Mack, who was killed in the line of duty in July; Stephanie Hackett, a former Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Community Affairs director who died after battling cancer; and Vince Robertson, a former Columbia County commissioner and school board member who recently passed away.
The Rotary Club also planted a tree honoring David Roper. Danny Hobbs, a fellow club member, said Roper is a leader in the club.
Members of the Pioneer Garden Club watch as Tom Blalock (left) and Jack Hatcher plant a Dogwood tree at the Oliver Hardy Museum in Harlem as part of the club's Arbor Day celebration.
Photo by Valerie Rowell
The Pioneer Garden Club in Harlem also planted last week.
On Tuesday, the group observed Arbor Day by planting a Dogwood tree in front of the Oliver Hardy Museum.
Pupils at Lewiston Elementary School learned about the importance of trees at an Arbor Day celebration sponsored by the Willow Wood Garden Club on Wednesday. The club donated a crepe myrtle to the school, and it was planted on the grounds.
Lewiston Elementary fourth-grade teacher Paul Holcomb planted a crepe myrtle that was donated by the Willow Wood Garden Club. Club President Meredith Nicholson attended the Arbor Day ceremony at the school in Evans.
Photo by Jim Blaylock