ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION ON FEBRUARY 16

Gainesville, GA – 01/30/07: An Arbor Day 2007 Celebration will be held on Friday, February 16 at 10 a.m. at the Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University, 322 Academy Street in Gainesville. The third Friday in February is Arbor Day in Georgia and coincides with the southern tree planting season.

Local Arbor Day 2007 festivities include a joint Proclamation from the City of Gainesville and Hall County and will be presented along with a Tree City Award for Gainesville from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Also on the program is the recognition of owners and nominators of area Champion Trees by the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Tree City USA recognizes towns and cities across the United States that meet standards designed to promote and manage urban forests. Gainesville has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 20 consecutive years.

Student winners in art and essay competitions from area middle schools will be presented awards in the U.S. Forest Service’s “What Trees Mean to America” program. Excerpts from winning essays will be read, and winning art entries will be on display for Arbor Day and then will be exhibited at the Quinlan Visual Art Center. Winners will be presented gifts of Bonsai Trees sponsored by Georgia Power Company. Judging of the art and essay entries is done by a panel of local art, photography and literary specialists.

Refreshments will be served and seedlings will be available from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Details: Robin Halstead, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 770-532-6206. Email: rhalstead@ghc.com