MILLBROOK — With each shovelful of soil that covered the roots of a newly planted sugar maple tree at Elm Drive Elementary School, First Grade students continued a long-standing tradition in observance of National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25.
By his estimation, Dennis Gendron, owner of Twin Brooks Tree Farm, has annually contributed a tree to the Village of Millbrook’s annual observance for twenty years. Gendron had prepared the spot where the young tree would thrive, fluffing up the pile of soil to make the shoveling easier for the children.
“It’s a joint effort,” said Gendron as he prepared for the event. The Village Highway crew will look after the care and watering of the tree for the next year.
The new tree is planted on the school’s property to the rear of Village Hall.
“We always try to plant the trees near the Village Hall, close to the kids,” said Mike Herzog, Climate Smart Task Force member.
Village Trustee Julia Bucklin, a history educator, told the children that Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1872, making them a part of a very long tradition.
Mayor Peter Doro read an official proclamation speaking to the children’s connection to the natural world and encouraged attention to planting trees.
Then it was the children’s turn to participate in finishing the planting, each child taking to the shoveling task with purpose and diligence, appropriate to the occasion.
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
A ceramic vase by Kathleen Heidemann.Provided 
Joy Brown’s delightful ceramic sculptures.Provided 
