Chronicle 2 posted on April 30, 2009 01:00
Lovell will be celebrating Arbor Day on Friday, May 8, 2009. Arbor Day is a tree-planting holiday that is celebrated all across the United States that began in the territory of Nebraska back in the 1800s. A pioneer named J. Sterling Morton moved to Nebraska and began planting trees not only to add beauty to the area but also serve as windbreaks for the agricultural land. He encouraged others to plant trees and the first Arbor Day celebration was set in 1872. Currently, all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day.
This is Lovell’s eighth annual Arbor Day celebration. Mayor Bruce Morrison proclaimed April 27, 2009, as the official Arbor Day date. However, this year’s celebration, planned by the Lovell Tree Board, will be held on May 8, at 9 a.m. at the Foster Gulch Golf Course.
The Arbor Day celebration will begin with a proclamation by Mayor Morrison. At this time Lovell will be once again given the honor of “Tree City U.S.A.” This will be Lovell’s eighth year as a Tree City. Each year, fifth-grade students from Lovell Elementary School are invited to participate in the Arbor Day poster contest. This year’s theme is “Trees are Terrific in Cities and Towns!” The posters are judged by Tree Board members with the grand prize winner entered in the Wyoming Arbor Day poster contest.
This year, Lovell fifth-grade student Savanna Savage won honorable mention in the state contest. She and the other local winners will be honored at the awards ceremony on May 8.
Tree planting will take place following the Awards Ceremony. Trees will be planted in a number of locations at the golf course. Drip systems have been installed to provide adequate water for the young trees. Norm Opp has been working with the Tree Board for the past two years with the tree project at the golf course. Tree planting serves a couple of purposes at the golf course, according to Opp.
“Trees are a golfer’s greatest nightmare,” he said. “They also add a great deal to the beauty of the course.”
The public is invited to stop by the golf course to join in the festivities. The Tree Board encourages the public to stop by and pick up seedling packets.
Arbor Day in Cowley
Mayor Roland Simmons has proclaimed Saturday, May 9, 2009, as Arbor Day in the Town of Cowley. An Arbor Day program will be held at the Log Gym at 11:30 a.m.