2010 ARBOR DAY REPORT BY MICHAEL l. ZARICHNAK, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
A total of 267 essays were received and judged from 4th grade students.  The essay contest had participants from 6 schools:  Shades Mountain, Riverchase, Rocky Ridge, Deer Valley, Green Valley and Bluff Park.  Prizes included plaques, $85 donated by Davey Tree, a tree identification book, and memberships at Aldridge Gardens.  Mary Ross Searcy put together an excellent final report in the form of a photo-newsletter.  The report shows activities at all the schools and includes a short write up of each school's program.  A copy of the newsletter was sent to each participating school's Arbor Day liaison.

Arbor week activities included plantings at 14 schools:  Hoover High, Bluff Park, Berry Middle, Rocky Ridge, Riverchase, Greystone, Bumpus, Simmons, Freshman Center, Deer Valley, Spain Park, South Shades Crest, Shades Mountain and Trace Crossings.  The tree species planted included:  Crape Myrtle, Pond Cypress, Deodar Cedar, Chinkapin Oak, Redbud, Tulip Poplar, Bald Cypress, Crab Apple and White Oak.  Each school conducted an Arbor Day Program.  All committee members worked hard to guide the schools in the Arbor Day tree plantings and Arbor Day programs.  Our city forester, Colin Conner handled tree logistics in a very professional and timely manner.

The Saturday Arbor Day activities went well and the program was blessed with good weather.  Councilwoman Mari Morrison read the Arbor Day Proclamation in place of the Mayor.  John Greene of the City Council also attended.  In addition, State Representative Paul DeMarco showed his support by attending.  Heyward Evans, a plant propagator at Green Valley farms, was the keynote speaker.  Hoover again was named a Tree City USA city.  Lori Salter with the Mayor's office attended and assisted with the Tree City USA recognition.  Ryan Campbell of Riverchase Elementary School was the first place essay contest winner.  Winners in the Honorable Mention category were Nicholas Ritchey of Shades Mountain Elementary, Ethan Hagood of Riverchase Elementary, Grayson Moyer of Deer Valley Elementary, Annemarie Kacker of Green Valley Elementary, Tanya Gupta of Rocky Ridge Elementary and William Russell of Bluff Park Elementary.

An American Smoke tree was planted at Aldridge Gardens as the official Arbor Day Tree.

Arbor Day committee members for 2010 are:  CoChair LaVerne Martin, Pat Lawley, Sara Perry, Lea Pennington and Karen Virciglio.  Beautification Board members that helped coordinate and gather information for the final report were:  Nicole' Rayburn, Lynda Wasden, Pam Thompson, Sara Perry, Jennifer Gregory, Mable Prescott, Mary Ross Searcy and Roberta Atkinson.

Mike Zarichnak gave an Arbor Day report to the City Council on April 5, 2010.

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