4th Friday features ribbon-cuttings, Arbor Day Celebration

April's Fourth Friday celebration featured a variety of attractions and events, including the following:

Mayor Leo Lutz and Borough Council President Kelly Murphy helped out with a ribbon-cutting on Friday at Beauty in the Beast pet grooming service at 18 South Third Street.

Owner Britini Tollinger cut the ribbon, aided by co-owner Mike Whelan.

Inside the building is this painting, purportedly by artist Edward B. Black, who painted watercolors and oils of the Susquehanna River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clay from the Susquehanna River shore served as the basis for the paints used in this work which is painted directly on the wall. (Could it be a type of fresco painting?)

Black was a founder of the Harrisburg Art Association, and his works are in the collection of the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Historical Society of Dauphin County.

An hour later and a few steps up the street, Doreen Fabulian - surrounded by family and friends - cut the ribbon for her shop, Aha Sweets, at 8 South Third Street. The shop bakes with organic and natural ingredients (not 100% organic, not gluten-free).  The shop also uses alternative flours (white organic spelt, oat flour, almond flour) in its variety of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.

A little later, a caricature artist set up shop at the Columbia Market House.

On the grounds of the Columbia Borough School District admin building, members of Cub Scout Pack 35 recited the pledge as an introduction to the 25th Annual Arbor Day Celebration.

Rick Jensen, Columbia High School music director, led the Columbia High School Chorus in performances of various songs.

School Board President Tom Strickler served as master of ceremonies.

Amy Evans, chairwoman of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission, offered welcoming remarks.

Mayor Lutz spoke about the value of trees in reducing pollution.

Council President Kelly Murphy expressed his thoughts about the importance of Arbor Day.

Amanda Hawn, a new member of the Shade Tree Commission, introduced herself.

Rick Hartlieb of the DCNR Bureau of Forestry spoke and presented a banner to the commission.

Columbia High School Senior Austin Combs read Joyce Kilmer's poem "Trees."

Rich Gerfin, Honorary Chairman of the 2016 Membership Drive, planted a tree.

Afterward, he was accompanied by a young audience member. Columbia Spy previously published a profile of Gerfin HERE.

A full array of proud award winners - including members of Frontier Girls Troop 191 and 202 - posed for the cameras after the event's conclusion.