By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – A dogwood tree with huge pink blooms found its new home Friday when members of the Mountaineer Garden Club planted the tree at Mill Race Park in Parsons in recognition of Arbor Day. Club members placed the dogwood tree behind the tennis court and member Vivian Shomo said Arbor Day was first observed in Nebraska in 1872, making this year the 144th year of planting Arbor Day trees.
“The reason the settlers planted trees was Nebraska did not have very many trees,” Shomo said. “Those who came from the East missed the foliage they were used to, so they created Arbor Day. Other states followed, and today, Arbor Day is observed in all 50 states on the last Friday in April.”
Shomo said she likes to think that all over the country, including Hawaii and Alaska, there are people in cities, towns and parks planting Arbor Day trees.
“We need to think about how planting a tree reflects on our hope for the future,” Shomo said. “The tree we plant today shows our hope and belief that there will be a future. It acknowledges our belief that the tree will grow and eventually provide wildlife habitats, erosion control, shelter from the sun and wind, natural beauty and inspiration for us, our children and our grandchildren.”
The Mountaineer Garden Club was established in 1959 and they have planted a tree each Arbor Day for many years. Club members said in the 1960s and 1970s, the club would go to the schools and all the children would come out and watch as the tree was planted. They said sometimes, groups such as the FFA would assist in planting the trees.
“We selected this location because Mill Race Park needs more trees,” Shomo said. “We have done a lot of plantings at the River City Park and we thought it was time for a new location. We have planted trees at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School in the past.”
