The 20th anniversary of Lehighton being named a "Shade Tree USA" was observed with the planting of a tree in memory of a young child who died of illness and a tree saluting the the news media; specifically the TIMES NEWS and Blue Ridge Communications TV-13.

Mark Hoffman, chairman of the Lehighton Shade Tree Commission, said volunteers worked at five locations on Saturday morning. Besides planting these new trees, they also replaced some trees as well as improved brickwork at the base of some prior tree planting locations.The trees were all Cleveland pears.A tree was planted at the Lehighton Band Hall on Sixth Street in honor of Gavin Krum, who died last December at the age of 14 from a type of leukemia.Last year, a tree was planted in memory of Gavin's brother, Dylan, who died in 2010 at the age of 15 of a rare childhood cancer.Hoffman said the tree saluting the media was planted on South Street near the corner of First Street."The media has been good to us, specifically the TIMES NEWS and Blue Ridge Cable, and we appreciate it and wanted to show this appreciation," he stated.On South First Street, brick work was replaced at the base of a tree in front of the Diggity Dogg restaurant.Two tree replacements were made in front of the Dollar Store along North First Street.At the Rite Aid Pharmacy on North First Street, tree replacement also occurred.Hoffman said volunteers from the Shade Tree Commission were assisted by members of Lehighton Boy Scout Troop 82 of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lehighton.The members of the Commission, the volunteers, and the Boys Scouts were treated to hot dogs and refreshments by the owner of Diggity Dogg.