Columbia named Tree City USA at Arbor Day Celebration

The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society held their 22nd annual Arbor Day celebration at 6 p.m on Friday, April 26, at Janson Park, Sixth and Cherry streets in Columbia.

Janson Foundation president Fred Smith was master of ceremonies, and Reverned Kenneth Lawrence of Holy Trinity Catholic Church gave the invocation and benediction.   Mayor Leo Lutz, Columbia Borough Council President Mike Beury Sr. and Mike Beury Jr., chairman of the Shade Tree Commission gave short talks.  Mike Beury Sr. reminded those present that our state tree is the hemlock, noted for its sturdiness and longevity.

Rick Hartleib of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry presented Columbia with its 21st consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA award.

Mark Zeamer awarded prizes to second-graders from Our Lady of the Angels School, Taylor Elementary and Park Elementary schools for their winning entries in the Arbor Day coloring contest.  Music was provided throughout the ceremony by "Hot Wired."

Three memorial trees were planted during the ceremony.  Two were in memory of the children of two Janson Foundation board members who passed away last year.  Alexandra Nikolaus, daughter of Paul Nikolaus, and Kevin Wolgemuth, son of Bernie Wolgemuth, had gingko trees dedicated in their memory. A third tree was dedicated to Joseph and Eleanor Sequin.

Columbia High School senior Dale Haubert recited Joyce Kilmer's poem "Trees" during the program. 

 Johnny Appleseed attended . . . 

 and gave out apples.

 A tree was dedicated to Joseph and Eleanor Sequin, among others.

 Mayor Leo Lutz offered remarks.

Mark Zeamer presented awards to Arbor Day coloring contest winners, Sophia Malizia, Elie Dommel, and Frankie Meisinger.

TREES

Joyce Kilmer 

(1886-1918)

 I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

"Trees" was originally published in Trees and Other Poems. Joyce Kilmer. New York: George H. Doran Company, 1914.