The Seedling Garden Club observed Georgia Arbor Day by planting a tree in memory of two garden club members, Mary Ellen Smith and Ann Peebles. Friends and family met on Friday, February 20, at Swainsboro First Methodist Church and planted a Japanese Magnolia in the courtyard. Site chosen was ideal place since both of these ladies were active members of this church and both sang in the choir together.
Each year, Seedling Garden Club observes Georgia Arbor Day by planting a tree in honor or memory of someone. Those chosen this year were active members of the club that had passed away during the year. President Kay Peacock thanked everyone for coming and gave a brief history of Arbor Day. Family members taking part in the planting were Yonna and John Allen Bailey, Hugh Foskey, Dess Smith and Terri Smith. Peacock shared some "Advice From a Tree", written by Ilan Shamir. Pastor, Rev. David Unkles, ended the dedication with a beautiful prayer blessing the tree. We are sure members of the church will cherish this tree as it grows and reminds us of very faithful members of both the church and the garden club. Special thanks to Frank Canady of Yard Masters for planting the tree for us.
Arbor Day was begun in 1854 by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska. On January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree planting holiday to be called "Arbor Day". Arbor is the Latin word for "Tree". It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. During the 1870's, other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day other times to coincide with the best tree planting weather. Georgia's Arbor Day is observed each year on the third Friday in February. Arbor Day was established to teach and inspire people, especially students, about the importance of planting trees. While Arbor Day is celebrated nationwide, Georgia Arbor Day is a meaningful occasion for our State and community.
Garden Clubs are encouraged to observe Arbor Day because the mission of The Garden Club of Georgia is to promote, beautification, conservation and education. What better way to meet this Mission that to plant a tree!
