Special to the Transcript
The Winthrop Improvement & Historical Association (W.I.H.A.) invites the public to celebrate Arbor Day, Saturday, April 25 from 11AM to 1PM at the historic Deane Winthrop House, 40 Shirley St.
This community gathering celebrates the importance of trees and the role they play in creating a healthy environment and beautiful landscape. W.I.H.A. is especially proud to carry on the tradition as it was incorporated into the original W.I.H.A. by-laws of 1908 to observe this day of service and celebration of trees and provide an event for the community. The origin of Arbor Day goes back even further to Nebraska in 1872 when they planted 1 million trees on that day and later in 1908, Theodore Rosevelt issued the first Arbor Day Proclamation, declaring it a National Holiday. The most common date for Arbor Day is usually observed on the last Friday in April, but warmer states generally celebrate earlier to make the most of ideal tree-planting weather.
This year W.I.H.A. will collaborate with the Winthrop Tree Committee, “TREE WINTHROP – Winthrop Loves Trees and Grow” which will have a sign-up for the ADOPT-A-TREE program, the Girl Scouts and the Winthrop Art Assoc. to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, aiming to create a world where trees are abundant, healthy and sustainable.
Included in the festivities we will have Eastern Red Bud seedling giveaways, Twig & bark craft- making supplies for anyone creative, theme related raffles and finally delicious Cherry Pie and coffee for all to enjoy.
The memorial plantings will start at noon and include a reading of the Arbor Day Proclamation. Memorial Trees to be planted will be a Weeping Cherry in memory of Mary Claire Mahoney, and a Japanese Flowering Cherry, in memory of Virginia Wilder, both were past Executive Board Members of W.I.H.A.
These living memorials will be marked and named, then later illuminated with solar lighting year- round. Many thanks to their loved ones who have made donations in their honor to make this possible.
We hope to see you at this inspiring event for a Healthier and Greener World. The Winthrop Improvement and Historical Association (W.I.H.A.) thanks the residents of