3rd Annual Arbor Day Celebration This Friday

The Whitehall Garden Club will celebrate Arbor Day with the third annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 28 in Whitehall's Community Center from noon until 3 PM.

The Town of Whitehall will raise its Tree City USA flags along Legion Street to celebrate Whitehall's 30th year as a Tree City USA. Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh will welcome the crowd and read a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day, its history, and its future.

The Whitehall Garden Club members will distribute 30 tree seedlings free to attendees, along with clear instructions for planting and care. A variety of tree and plant-related information tables and vendors will assemble in the Whitehall Community Center.

A special display of books on trees will be available at the Whitehall Community Library. A coloring sheet for elementary children will be provided to the elementary school and then judged for awards at the festivities, along with other student activities.

This is an opportunity for the residents of Whitehall and the surrounding areas to get out and enjoy Spring and the beginning of the planting and gardening season.

It is hoped that local businesses will participate during the festivities with specials for shoppers.

FUN FACTS:

• The first US Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, after being proposed by the secretary of the Nebraska Territory, J. Sterling Morton.

• By 1920, over 45 US states were observing Arbor Day.

• The Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 1972 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the holiday. The nonprofit conservation group distributes over 10 million trees every year.

• Arbor Day was almost called Sylvan Day, coming from the Latin word "Silva," meaning "of the forest" or "woodland." J. Sterling Morton decided against this name because he wanted to include all types of trees, not just forest trees.

• It's estimated that over 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.

• The first documented Arbor Day was celebrated in the Spanish village of Mondoñedo in 1594! They planted lime and horse-chestnut trees.

• The best way to celebrate Arbor Day is to plant a tree. Trees have a multitude of benefits for people, wildlife, and the environment.

How will you be celebrating Arbor Day this year? Join in the fun at the Whitehall Community Center from noon to 3 PM.