Ocean Pines Garden Club hosts annual Arbor Day ceremony

(April 11, 2024) The Ocean Pines Garden Club hosted its annual Arbor Day Celebration of Life ceremony on Thursday in Pintail Park.

Roughly 100 people attended, and the event featured proclamations from Ocean Pines Association President Rick Farr and Worcester County Commissioners President Chip Bertino.

Garden Club Co-President Ann Shockley emceed the ceremony and Anita Roberts spoke on the history of Arbor Day.

Roberts said the holiday originated in Nebraska, which was “once a treeless plain.”

“It was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s,” she said.

Roberts said journalist and politician J. Sterling Morton filled his homestead with trees, shrubs and flowers. He later used his forum as the editor of the state’s first newspaper to share his love of agriculture and trees.

“Morton not only advocated tree planting by individuals in articles and editorials, but he also encouraged civic organizations and groups of every kind to join in,” she said.

Because of Morton’s enthusiasm and advocacy, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska in 1885. Roberts said Arbor Day is now celebrated across the United States on different dates to coincide with the best tree-planting weather.

“Since 1991, the Ocean Pines Garden Club has participated in Arbor Day by planting a special tree in loving memory of family and friends who passed away during the recent year,” she said.

Also during the ceremony, Garden Club Co-President Lilanie Geiger recited the poem “There’s a Very special Garden,” and the Pines Tones and bagpiper Mike Castoro performed music.

Additionally, Sandy Kelley read a description of this year’s memorial tree, a Christmas Jewel holly.

“You’d be hard pressed to find a house where I live here in the Pines … that does not have a stalwart holly tree standing regally at every corner,” she said. “For centuries, across continents, they’ve been a source of inspiration for artists, landscapers and Hallmark.”

She said the Christmas Jewel holly is a relatively new variety, “perfect for most homes in Ocean Pines.”

“Like most hollies, the Christmas jewel will adapt to almost any soil [and] is good for sun or shade,” she said. “The stunning evergreen glossy-dark leaves share the view in spring with clusters of white, fragrant flowers – perfect there to nourish the bees that follow.”

She said the trees also come with a history of legend and witchcraft.

“Druids believed the holly tree possessed protective qualities, such as guarding against evil spirits and bad luck,” Roberts said.

To close the ceremony, Garden Club members read the names of family and friends who passed away in 2023 and presented flowers to their friends and loved ones.

To view a video of the ceremony, visit https://youtu.be/3iXhv3MdxoQ. An issue with audio echo is resolved about two-and-a-half minutes in.

For more information on the Ocean Pines Garden Club, contact Gail Philippi at [email protected].