Previewing this year's Arbor Day events in Ritzville

The City of Ritzville will celebrate Arbor Day on April 26 with local fifth grade students helping to plant trees throughout the city.

This year, trees will be planted at the Ritzville City Hall at 10 a.m. The Ritzville Tree Board is coordinating the event, as well as other local beautification projects throughout the city. The Tree Board USA flag will also be flying at the Adams County Courthouse that day, as well.

All fourth and fifth grade students in the Lind-Ritzville Cooperative School Districts will receive a Douglas Fir tree seedling to take home and plant. The trees will be donated by Umpqua Bank.

"We are proud to sponsor trees for Lind-Ritzville students to honor Arbor Day," said Ritzville Umpqua Bank Manager Danielle Bolin. "Planting a tree is one way for the fourth and fifth graders to leave a legacy."

Four trees will be planted around the City Hall property and two or three more trees will be planted along First Avenue, primarily around benches.

"[The benches] were purchased for the people walking through who want to take a break and sit down," said Ritzville Tree Board member and city councilmember Mike Schrag. "Hopefully someday we'll have shade there for them."

Prizes for the winners of the fifth grade Arbor Day essay contest were purchased at the Boxwood. Winners will receive a tree that they can take home and plant for themselves. The essays will be judged by employees of the Farm Services Agency.