Arbor Day 2009
Sharpsburg's Second
The Town of Sharpsburg held its second Arbor Day ceremony on April 18 with the help of Girl Scout Troop 536.
Polly Garlington, Sharpsburg town council member and past chairperson of the town's tree board, welcomed the troop along with Girl Scout leaders Erin Govednik and Shawna Anaya.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and a poem for the occasion, a proclamation was presented for the Arbor Day observance. The Scouts helped plant a dogwood tree and seedlings were given to the participants and attendees at the ceremony.
First Sharpsburg Arbor Day
Great Success
Lft to rt: Cindy Neal, Gwen Lyons, Beryl Budd, Terry Quigley, Jeff Sibley, and Roy Matthews.
Welcoming attendees and presiding at the Ceremony was Polly Garlington, Past Tree Board Chairman and presently aTown Council Member.
Hanna and Emma Neal and Alina Strickland opened the program with the Pledge to the Flag which was followed by a slide show with glimpses of historic homes and buildings in the Old Town area.
Cindy Neal, Tree Board Chairman, read the proclamation naming December 11, 2008 a Arbor Day in Sharpsburg which included the history of Arbor Day.
Tree board members were recognized by Garlington as well as the Georgia Forestry Commission representatives present: Beryl Budd, Community Forester; Terry Quigley, Chief Ranger; Jeff Sibley, District Forester. Also present was Roy Matthews, Coweta County Arborist. Garlington singled out Forester Budd for outstanding support and encouragement to the Tree Board during the year.
The program was followed by planting four trees in the Old Town Area and then back to the Rec Center for hot dogs, beverages and a social period.
Application will now be made to certify Sharpsburg as a Tree City. One of the most important features of being designated a Tree City is the ability to apply for grants for Community Forestry projects in Town.
The Sharpsburg Tree Board was formed in the Fall of 2007. The initial purposes of this group are to inventory, maintain, and plant replacement trees in Town. The goal for this year is to have the Town's first Arbor Day Celebration, to have Sharpsburg designated a "Tree City" and to evaluate and do necessary pruning of the old trees on Main Street. One of the requirements to become a "Tree City" 'is that the Town have a 'tree ordinance' which was already in place.
The new Chairperson is Mrs Cindy Neal. Other members of the board are Gwen Lyons, Herb Bridges, Wilmirth Wood and Polly Garlington. . One of the severely damaged Oaks was removed in March. The remaining large Oaks on Main Street in the town area will be trimmed with the removal of misletoe and be regularly maintained.
Pictured rt to left: Hannah Neal, Scout Troop 397, Arbor Day Co-ordinator, Polly Garlington, Town Councilwoman
Anyone interested in keeping
Sharpsburg "green" and volunteering to help, come join the group. Being a committee member does not require a lot of time but there are great rewards.
No meetings or activities until further notice.