LOTS OF PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY

Ada third graders were the first to hear Mayor Dave Retterer proclaim Friday, May 2, 2014, as Arbor Day in the Village of Ada.

During the annual Arbor Day celebration, the Ada third graders proved to be a great audience as the Ada Tree Commission talked to them about trees, planting, dinosaurs and ‘elephant snot’. (If you are not sure what dinosaurs and ‘elephant snot’ have to do with trees, ask a third grader.)

The Ada Tree Commission also gratefully accepted a donation from Heather Cox on behalf of Ada Kiwanis during the celebration. Cox told the students the Ada Kiwanis have been supporting the Ada Tree Commission’s efforts for the past 34 years, and look forward to continuing the support.

A highlight once again this year was the art contest sponsored by the mayor. This year’s theme was trees and creatures that attack trees. Creatures such as Emerald ash borers, Asian longhorn beetles, termites, deer and humans were featured in 43 entries.

Each year, the mayor selects three top place winners, and presents them with a book of his choice. This year’s first place winner was Adria Baney, with Roman Snyder winning the second place prize, and Athen Horton winning the third place prize.

The students each received a Dawn Redwood seedling to plant at home, as well as information about the tree and responsible planting tips. Drawing on the students’ excitement to be involved, the Tree Commission also gave each student a Bingo search game to help them become a beetle buster family.

The Ada Tree Commission looks forward to this event each year. The support of the community helps make events and teaching moments such as this event possible.

PHOTO IDS:
1: Mayor Dave Retterer proclaims May 2nd as Arbor Day on Ada.
2: 3rd place art contest winner Athen Horton explains his poster to the mayor.
3: Mayor Retterer explains to the class that one of his favorite tree books is The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown Ups. Second place art contest winner Roman Snyder received the book.
4: 1st place art contest winner Adria Baney explains her poster to the mayor.
5: Ada Tree Commission Chair Don Traxler receives a donation from Ada Kiwanis president Heather Cox.
6: Mayor Retterer stands with the winners of the 2014 Arbor Day Art Contest. From left to right: 3rd place winner Athen Horton; 2nd place winner Roman Snyder, and 1st place winner Adria Baney.