The Lehighton Shade Tree Commission has come up with an idea to help honor the borough's sesquicentennial celebration. That concept is 150 trees for 150 years, an idea that was shared at the History of Lehighton, Part 2, event held last month.

Shade Tree member Kenneth Leffler said that the partnership the committee has made with the sesquicentennial committee is for the common goal of not only remembering the borough's history, but to make sure there is more history to be made and memories to cherish.Leffler said one of his fondest memories as a child was walking down South Third Street to the First Ward School and enjoying the beauty and peace the tree lined streets brought to him.Recently, Leffler planted a tree on this same street in memory of his brother.The next step is to work with local nurseries and businesses to put together a list of available trees for planting, according to Mark Hoffman, chairman, Lehighton Shade Tree Commission.Hoffman said they will make sure this list is compiled of trees that are compatible to urban planting.Along with putting together this list, Hoffman said they will also gather a list of interested residents looking to support the cause.For a $50 donation, the shade tree members will handle all the necessary preliminary requirements, as well as the planting of the tree. People can then memorialize or honor a loved one, a family member, group, pet, grandchild or spouse by placing their personal memorial in a time capsule that will be buried during the sesquicentennial celebration. Their memory will be shared when the borough celebrates its 200th anniversary in the year 2066.Hoffman said larger caliper trees will also be planted along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard, courtesy of a grant the Shade Tree Commission received from PennEast Pipeline Company.For more information, contact Mark or Diane Hoffman at 610-377-5275.