Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further Notice
I just returned from the Roger Metzger Arboretum in Stanley Deming Park where we had this year’s Arbor Day ceremony. The Village Shade Tree Commission partnered with the Warwick Valley Gardeners and over 200 second graders from Park Avenue School to celebrate this special day. This year we planted two ‘Cherokee Brave Dogwoods’, Cronus Florida in honor of Trustee Bill Lindberg for 12 years of service and Trustee George McManus for 18 years of service. Thank you gentlemen for your commitment to our Village and the many years you’ve served our changing community. A tree as an honorarium is a wonderful way to show gratitude – much like the service that these men gave, it lives on and grows.
Pat Rheinhardt from the Warwick Valley Gardeners is a teacher by vocation and passion guided us through the ceremony and kept every one of the 200 plus students enthralled and listening! The event started with singing, “America the Beautiful ” and beautifully led by Trustee Carly Foster. On hand was the Park Avenue Green Cub Club who wrote and read a poem. There were words by invited guests including Supervisor Mike Sweeton, Garden Club President, Kristen Kent and Town of Warwick Shade Tree Commissioner, Karen Emmerich.
Rob Scheuermann, Village of Warwick’s Shade Tree Commissioner, spoke about the trees being planted and the origins of the Roger Metzger Arboretum. Rob does remarkable work throughout the year. The Shade Tree Commission is responsible for tree planting, feeding, pruning and management of our urban forest. Rob also makes determinations on the health and safety of our trees and answers questions from residents on an ongoing basis.
This year we have two new members of the Shade Tree Commission, Lynne Cheney and Frank Desidario. Welcome! The Commissioners will work with Rob throughout the year making decisions and developing educational opportunities.
The Village is celebrating its 38th year being recognized as a Tree City which is a Program from the National Arbor Day Association. Besides being one of the oldest Tree Cities in the State we are the longest recipients of the Achievement Award – this is our 22nd consecutive year! Thank you to Maureen Evans who takes care of the application process and keeps track of the Commissions yearly activities which is an important part of being a Tree City Community. Thank you as well to Mike Moser and the Villages DPW who prepared the sight and made sure the trees were planted well.
Finally, and most importantly thank you to Craig Wadeson of Wadeson’s Home Center who was on hand to give each student a Red Oak, Quercus Robra sapling.
These are the small but important events that make up our lives and that we embrace as part of village and town life. Thank you to all that made this a memorable Arbor Day. During the ceremony a child responded to the question, “What do trees give us?”, she said, “They give us beauty” A perfect observation on a clear spring day in the Queen Village.
