Mayor, City Celebrate Arbor Day With Tree Planting

City leaders and members of the community braved an icy wind on Friday to celebrate Georgia's Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony. After the reading of a mayoral proclamation, city staff worked together with some Dalton children to plant trees at the Mack Gaston Community Center. 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first Arbor Day celebration in Nebraska.  Dr. Chris Stearns, a member of the city's Tree Board, noted that Georgia celebrates the holiday in February because it's an ideal time for tree planting in the state, even if some February days are too cold to be comfortable for a ceremony. That was certainly the case Friday, but with hot coffee provided by Community Center staff, participants pressed on through the cold wind. Mayor David Pennington presented a proclamation at the start of the ceremony, followed by a presentation of the City's 32nd consecutive "Tree City USA" honor by Seth Hawkins from the Georgia Forestry Commission. The ceremony was concluded with the reading of the poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer and then the planting of two trees. Girl Scouts from Roan Street School and members of the "Prancing Pretty Ladies" competition majorette dance team joined with staff from the Dalton Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff to do the shovel work. 

Below: Mayor David Pennington presents a proclamation for the City of Dalton's Arbor Day celebration, Girl Scouts from Roan Street School and dance team members from the "Prancing Pretty Ladies" dig in to plant trees