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Village of Warwick celebrates Arbor Day at Stanley-Deming Park

| 27 Apr 2015 | 08:29
    Shade Tree Commissioner Roger Metzger, a 49-year veteran of the Commission and its Commissioner for more than 40 of those years, welcomed the group.
    Shade Tree Commissioner Roger Metzger, a 49-year veteran of the Commission and its Commissioner for more than 40 of those years, welcomed the group.
    Mayor Michael Newhard (left), posing with Pat Reinhardt, Roger Metzger and children from Park Avenue School, reported that Warwick had once again been named a þÄúTree City, USAþÄù for 31 consecutive years.
    Mayor Michael Newhard (left), posing with Pat Reinhardt, Roger Metzger and children from Park Avenue School, reported that Warwick had once again been named a þÄúTree City, USAþÄù for 31 consecutive years.
    Several children like Lehanna Hidalgo, pictured here, were invited to take turns shoveling some dirt to help plant the new tree.
    Several children like Lehanna Hidalgo, pictured here, were invited to take turns shoveling some dirt to help plant the new tree.
    Several children like Andrew Mason, pictured here, were invited to take turns shoveling some dirt to help plant the new tree.
    Several children like Andrew Mason, pictured here, were invited to take turns shoveling some dirt to help plant the new tree.

WARWICK — It was overcast and unseasonably cool on Friday, April 24, but nevertheless approximately 90 children from the Park Avenue School first grade classes of Charlene D'Angelillo, Jennie Theologis, Donna Berghan, Dori Myers and Felicia Ellis braved the weather and marched to Stanley-Deming Park.

It was Arbor Day and they were on their way to celebrate the planting of a willow tree by members of the Village Department of Public Works.

The Shade Tree Commission, which is responsible for planting and maintaining trees throughout the village, organizes the annual event.

Shade Tree Commissioner Roger Metzger, a 49-year veteran of the commission and its commissioner for more than 40 of those years, welcomed the group and introduced Mayor Michael Newhard, who welcomed the children and reported that Warwick had once again been named a "Tree City, USA" for 31 consecutive years. The designation is awarded by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

According to the National Garden Bureau, designation as a Tree City, USA is an asset to any town or village. So are a vital shade tree commission, an inventory of trees, a tree planting and replacement policy and a preservation program. The Village of Warwick qualifies in all areas.

The mayor then asked the children to name some benefits that we receive from trees.

The variety of all correct answers included fresh air, a home for birds and animals, paper, houses, beauty and shade.

Guest speaker Patricia Reinhardt, chair of the Arbor Day Committee, a former schoolteacher and member of the Warwick Valley Gardeners, spoke about the origins of the celebration and how the idea, which quickly spread throughout the country, was first observed in Nebraska in 1872.

She then recited the poem, "Why not hug a tree today."

Several children were invited to take turns shoveling some dirt to help plant the new tree.

Craig Wadeson from Wadeson's Home Center, his employee Andrew Lemin and Metzger then handed out evergreens donated by his company.

- Roger Gavan