The Gainesville-Hall County observance of Arbor Day 2005 will be held on Friday, February 18 at Regions Bank in the Lanier Room (lower level on Spring Street) and begins at 10:00 a.m. The third Friday of each February is Arbor Day in Georgia and coincides with the southern tree planting season.
Local Arbor Day 2005 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.
Student winners in art and essay competitions from area middle schools will be presented awards in the U.S. Forest Service¹s ³What Trees Mean to America² 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. A certificate noting special recognition will be presented to the Gainesville Garden Club in observance of the club¹s 75th anniversary and in appreciation of their long legacy of community involvement.
Refreshments will be served and seedlings will be available from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Details: Robin Halstead, 770-532-6206.