Arbor Day is planned

The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will hold their 19th annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 30 at Locust Street Park, located at Fifth and Locust Streets, starting at 6 p..m.


Andy Ohrel, president of the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company, which maintains and oversees the park, will serve as master of ceremonies. Rev. Dominic DiBiccardo of St. Peter’s Catholic Church will offer the invocation and benediction. Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz and Council Vice-President Mary Barninger will make remarks. Rick Hartlieb, representing the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will present Columbia with its 18th consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA Award.

Local citizens will be recognized for their contributions to the Shade Tree Commission in 2009, including the presentation of a Life Membership to Jack and Robin Gamby.

Three $25 cash prizes will be awarded to second grade students from Columbia’s three elementary schools as winners of the tree coloring contest. A $25 gift card will be awarded to the winner of the “My Favorite Tree” photo contest.

Musical selections will be provided throughout the ceremony by the Columbia High School Music Department under the direction of Rick Jensen.

Columbia High School Senior Hillary Marie Glenn will recite Joyce Kilmer’s poem Trees. Hillary is the daughter of Kerry D. Glenn and the late Melissa A. Glenn. She plans to attend Millersville University and although her major is undeclared, she is hoping to become either a secondary school history or a translator. Her studies at Columbia High School this year include English with Harrisburg Area Community College, French IV, Anthropology, Psychology, Chorus and Music Appreciation. Since the age of 10 she has sung soprano solo’s at the Columbia United Methodist Church.

Hillary was the Columbia Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for January and will be reciting the Gettysburg Address following the annual Columbia Memorial Day Parade in May. She has been volunteering in her community since she was a child, starting with Columbia Pride Day and now volunteers regularly at events sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce in honor of her mother.

Her hobbies include writing, singing, reading, supplementary French, and cultivating her musical palate.

Members of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission are Mike Beury, Jr Chairman, Tom Mimnall Secretary, Mark Zeamer Treasurer, Kerry Glenn and Ronald Fritz.