About 30 people gathered in Memorial Park in Summit Hill last Saturday for the annual Memorial Tree Arbor Day program held by the Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission and hosted by chairperson Dr. Louis Vermillion. The spring weather was a perfect day for planting the eight memorial trees sponsored by various members of the community as well as the Summit Hill Historical Society.

"We have planted over 425 trees in the past 13 years throughout Summit Hill and our program has raised the awareness of the benefit of trees in the community. The support has been great," said Vermillion. "Several storm-damaged trees have been removed since last year and there are a few deteriorating trees that will be taken care of this year."Vermillion said the commission also is responsible not only for planting the trees but maintaining them as well. Besides pruning and mulching them, the commission has also been placing protective collars made of plastic near the bases to protect them from mowers and trimmers to keep them healthy. Since only eight new trees need to be planted this spring, Vermillion asked the volunteers gathered to also help with general park clean up and mulching the existing trees."We also were named a Tree City USA for the eighth consecutive year," Vermillion added. Service Forester Frank Snyder was on hand to present the new signs and banner as well as a plaque from the Bureau of Forestry.There were eight trees planted as memorials as well as two other trees at locations throughout the parks and town. Six trees were planted at Memorial Park in memory of John and Irene Phillips by Dana Phillips, in memory of Noah Nich Krynock by Mr. Tom Benek, family and friends and in memory of Dianna Grosso Pasker by Bernie Pasker. Also three trees sponsored by the Summit Hill Historical Society in memory of Thomas and Sonia Miller, Peter and Mary Gardiner and Thomas and Helen Barr. One tree is planted at the Ginder Park in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Focht by the Cheryl Schock family. The final tree was planted at the GAR Cemetery in memory of Gary A. Mantz by Renee Sassman Mantz. The Summit Hill Lions also planted an ivory lilac in honor and memory of Lions.Vermillion concluded by thanking the Commission for all its hard work including members John Kupec, Mary Ann Szczecina, Mary Helen Shelton and Ann Markey. He also thanked everyone who made donations, helped to move and plant the trees, prepared the sites and mulched as well as the borough workers.Ceremonial keepsake photos were taken after the ceremony for the sponsors to have as keepsakes of their memorials and volunteers helped to plant and mulch the trees.