Altamont, EIU Observe Arbor Day

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Published on April 27 2018 2:33 pm
Last Updated on April 27 2018 2:33 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(AS PART OF EIU'S ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION, SEVERAL UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HELD AN ON-CAMPUS TREE PLANTING CEREMONY THURSDAY. TREE PLANTING WAS SCHEDULED AT LAKE CHARLESTON FRIDAY, AS WELL)

The City of Altamont and Eastern Illinois University were among those who observed the 2018 National Arbor Day.

Altamont has been designated a Tree City USA for the 33rd time.

A ceremony was held Friday morning featuring representatives from the Altamont City Tree Board, Altamont Garden Club, Altamont High School FFA Chapter, Altamont Lions Club and Altamont school children from various elementary classes.

Altamont Street and Alley Commissioner Daniel Milleville was presented the Tree City USA flag and other recognition materials. The ceremony took place at Altamont Union Cemetery at the identical time as the National Arbor Day planting occurred. Plantings also took place in memory of Margaret Berkbigler (42 years), Dorothy Grant (20 years), and Maria Syoen (17 years) by the Altamont Garden Club. The celebration featured Carol Tillman from the Altamont Garden Club presenting the keynote address, along with the planting of the special trees.

Altamont Tree Board members include Anthony Arend, Terry Woodward, Jerry Hoffmeister, Lynn Kull and City Clerk Sarah Stephen. The Board is promoting the removal of the ash trees that have been home to Emerald Ash Borers, and replace them by utilizing an inventory of White Oak trees, planted as seedlings in past years in Union Cemetery.

Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois University was honored with Tree Campus USA status during a ceremony on campus Thursday, followed with a city-wide Arbor Day event at Lake Charleston Friday.