Goodnoe Kids Celebrate The Earth At Arbor Day In Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Newtown Borough celebrated its trees on April 14 with the help of
first and fifth grade students from Goodnoe Elementary School.

Held at Brian Gregg Memorial Park on North Congress Street as temperatures climbed into the lower 80s, the town's annual Arbor Day celebration presented by the Newtown Borough Recreation Board included learning stations, music, games and lots and lots of animals.

Eco-man (Bucks County educator Richard McLaughlin), an Arbor Day mainstay, led the children in songs about the environment, including what has become Newtown Arbor Day’s unofficial anthem - “Reduce. Re-use. Recycle.”

Eco-man (Bucks County educator Richard McLaughlin).

This year’s event not only celebrated the trees, it also showcased many of the animals who live in and among the trees, including snakes, turtles and lots and lots of worms.

The Churchville Nature Center brought two educators to Arbor Day this year to speak about the importance of trees and to introduce the kids to several woodland creatures, including a turtle and a long slithering kingsnake that had the kids mesmerized.

A Churchville Nature Center educator shows off a brightly colored snake.

Youngsters reach out to pet a bunny from Snipes Farm and Nursery.

At the other end of the park, below a canopy of green, kids were getting in touch with nature as instructor Erin Bertoli with Activate Mindfulness led them through a series yoga positions and breathing exercises.

Just a few feet away Newtown resident Bill Salvadore was talking about his favorite subject - worms - and their importance to the environment. He brought a box filled with compost and worms to give the kids a close look at the dirt and tree dwellers.

“When they dig all those tiny little holes, it helps the rain water get into the ground,” he tells the kids. “They also help fertilize the ground. They love to eat. They eat half of their body weight every day. They are also super strong. They have five hearts, but no eyes and no lungs. And they have been around for millions of years.”

The kids also heard from members of the Barn Nature Center in Doylestown, who brought an Iguana and a large boa constrictor to show off; Snipes Farm and Nursery, which brought a rabbit; TMA Bucks, which shared bicycle safety tips; Peaceable Kingdom; and Davey Expert Tree Company.

The Barn Nature Center in Doylestown brought an Iguana and a boa constrictor to Arbor Day.

At the end of the two-hour adventure, the kids gathered on the lawn to continue the celebration of the environment with songs, poster awards and the presentation of an Arbor Day proclamation.

Recreation board member and Arbor Day organizer Tracey Osecki opened the ceremony by leading the kids in an Earth Day Pledge.

Mayor John Burke read the official Newtown Borough Arbor Day proclamation urging all citizens to join in celebrating Arbor Day by “planting trees, caring for and protecting our growing trees and supporting the Newtown Borough Shade Tree Commission.”

Newtown’s Arbor Day celebration was started by the late Peter A. Chesner who was a long time member of the Newtown Borough Shade Tree Commission. He was responsible for planting the Bradford Pear trees that continue to bloom every spring along historic State Street.

Following the reading of the proclamation, U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick stepped to the stage to recognize the winners of this year’s poster contest. He was joined by Council Rock Superintendent Andy Sanko, Rose Wuenschel from State Senator Steve Santarsiero's office and a legislative aide representing State Rep. Perry Warren.

The winners were selected by a panel of judges that included Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath, Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke and borough secretary Judy Musto.

Council Rock Superintendent Andy Sanko, right, and U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick present students with Arbor Day poster contest winners. (photo by Jeff Werner)

U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Council Rock Superintendent Dr. Andy Sanko present the Arbor Day poster contest awards.

"We are here today to honor the Earth," State Sen. Steve Santarsiero told the kids. "It is really important to make sure that we protect the Earth because the Earth gives us our life. If we don't have trees, if we don't have all the things that matter to our environment, we may not have much of a future. Each and every one of you have an important role to play to make sure you protect the trees and that you fight for the environment."

As a reminder of their Arbor Day experience, each of the youngsters who attended the event were given a Rosemary plant to take home and plant in their yards.

The Newtown Rotary Club donated funds to purchase the plants and handed them out to the youngsters at the Arbor Day celebration.

The youngsters also took home an apple to enjoy.

"The kids were wonderful. This is such a great event," said Osecki as the event closed with McLaughlin performing his Arbor Day song. "The kids worked so hard on their posters. This is also their first spring event and they are so thrilled to be outside and to learn about the trees."

The event is presented by the Newtown Borough Recreation Board and was sponsored by the Newtown Rotary Club and The First National Bank of Newtown.

The Newtown Borough Recreation Board team.

State Senator Steve Santarsiero addresses the youngsters during the Arbor Day celebration.

Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke reads the official Arbor Day proclamation.