Fifth grade students participate in Arbor Day celebration

An energetic and enthusiastic group of fifth grade students from Ritzville Grade School gathered in Ritzville City Park on April 25 to celebrate Arbor Day. The students were responsible for planting nine trees at the park, under the instruction of the Ritzville City employees and teacher Janna Gingrich.

The morning’s activities began with a welcoming by Mayor Linda Kadlec and the presentation of the colors by Scout Troop 888 members Peyton Kiel, Michael Carruth and Dallas Killian. The mayor then read the Ritzville Arbor Day Proclamation. Tree Board member Mike Schrag introduced Dave Nelson of the Washington Community Forestry Council.

Nelson presented the Tree City USA plaque to the mayor and commended the town for celebrating Arbor Day and planting trees on a yearly basis. Ritzville has been a Tree City for the past four years.

Mayor Kadlec then presented the Outstanding Community Member award to city’s public works crew for their outstanding commitment and service to the community, extending beyond their daily responsibilities. The city crew was especially instrumental in the clean up process across the city last September following a devastating windstorm.

Schrag announced the winners of the Arbor Day essay competition and the three girls read their essays to the group. Linnea Schafer placed first with her essay, Julia Klein earned second and Gus Tracy received third.

Each of the students won a tree to plant in their yard for their success.

The main purpose of the new trees is to bring more color to the Ritzville City Park and to serve as a reminder of Arbor Day for the fifth grade students. The 16 students divided into groups and assisted city employees with the planting of the trees.

The city hopes that those students remember the tree and that when they come back for Alumni Weekend in the future, they visit the tree they planted many years ago. The Tree Board continues to serve the community and remains a vital part of the Arbor Day celebrations. Tree Board members include Kim Galland, Terry Jantz, Eric Ottmar, Cara Hulce and Schrag.

After the students finished planting the trees, they received complimentary lunch and ice cream for their help with the Arbor Day celebration.

My favorite tree, By Linnea Schafer

Have you ever noticed how many trees there are in the world? If I had to pick just one it would be the apple tree. I love the apple tree. Helpful? Oh yeah! Apple trees are helpful to the environment, communities and provide fresh fruit. All trees are beautiful. But I think the apple tree is extremely beautiful. I think apple trees are amazing.

Apple trees are very helpful and play an important role in communities and the environment. Fruit trees help communities become connected with the growing process. Local apple orchards or just an apple tree provide education to communities about the growing process and about the apple tree seasons such as blooming and harvest seasons. Apple trees are also helpful to the environment. Trees take in carbon dioxide and pump fresh oxygen into the air. They also provide fresh delicious fruit. What’s better than fresh fruit that you can pick yourself at a local orchard or even in your own backyard? I recommend planting a fruit tree it’s good for communities and the environment.

One of my favorite things about the apple tree is that they are beautiful. Every part of the apple tree is stunning to me. I love the big green bushy leaves that surround the apples. I love to see the different colors of the apples growing on the tree. The tree around harvest tie is lovely but, I think the blooming season is the highlight. The flowers are extraordinary. My favorite image of an apple tree is an apple tree blooming and the sun shining through the leaves, it’s a wonderful sight. I enjoy driving to Wenatchee and seeing all the magnificent apple trees. I remember a field trip in kindergarten to an apple orchard. We got to pick our apples it was an unforgettable experience that I’ll never forget. So overall I think the apple tree is just plain out beautiful.

Although all trees are great, I think the apple tree is marvelous. They are beneficial to the earth and to communities. Apple trees are also gorgeous. Why wouldn’t the apple tree be a favorite?

My favorite tree, By Julia Klein

Trees, trees, there are so many different kinds that are everywhere I go, but if I had to pick just one it would be the Red Maple tree. I have five of these fantastic and deciduous trees in my yard. Each and every season, the tree has outstanding color features. The Red Maple also gives me many exciting activities to do.

For starters, I love to see the beautiful leaves change colors in the seasons. In the spring and summer it has green leafs, that brighten up my yard. Fall is my favorite season though, for the Red Maple tree. I enjoy seeing the colors change from green to colors like red, orange, and dark yellow. At the end of fall the leaves fall off leaving winder with bare branches.

I also enjoy that the Red Maple tree gives me many things to do. On hot summer days I love to have family picnics in the shade of this fabulous tree. In the fall when the leaves fall off the trees, I like to go outside with my brother and rake the leaves up into a huge pile. Once we rake the leaves up we love to jump into the giant pile and boy, let me tell you, it’s a blast! I also like to hang and climb on the Red Maple trees, because they are strong and sturdy.

Hopefully by now you can see that the Red Maple is the greatest tree ever. I love to see the leaves change colors and I also enjoy that the Red Maple gives me many different activities to do. This is why I think that the Red Maple is absolutely the best tree.

My favorite tree, By Gus Tracy

Have you ever wondered what marvelous works of art trees are? They are so breath taking but if I had to choose my favorite it would be the Cherry Tree. It is my favorite because it is beautiful I had wonderful memories and I always loved the humorous works of art they can be.

First of all I absolutely love the beauty of the tree the green grass really brings out the color. Sometimes I look up into a cherry tree and think of Gods other marvelous works of art that are not like the cherry tree. It is amazing what God does with his hands. Also I love how the cherry tree is Deciduous which means it loses its leaves in the winter.

Second of all I have wonderful memories. When I lived in Port Orchard there was a cherry tree next door I admire just sitting in such a beautiful work of art. When I was a small boy I would climb up and down the tree for hours on end loving just the sight of the tree.

Finally I love the humorous ways trees can grow. One evening I was looking at a cherry tree and made out a baby’s bottom. I laughed so hard I thought my eyes were going to pop out. I stayed that way for two hours! I just loved that tree.

In conclusion I think that the cherry tree is the best tree of all because they are beautiful I had great memories and I love the humorous work of art the cherry tree can be.