Latest news with #ArborDay
NZ Herald
21-06-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
The Good Life: The mighty Greytown gum
Greytown has been celebrating trees generally for much of its life. Photo / Greg Dixon Greg Dixon is an award-winning news reporter, TV reviewer, feature writer and former magazine editor who has written for the NZ Listener since 2017. The sign is emphatic. 'Historic Tree', it declares, pointing at the tree in question, an old gum which is so enormous it almost certainly doesn't require a sign to get you to notice it. The giant exotic must be as tall as a four-storey building. This is the sort of thing you expect to find when promenading in Greytown, the most genteel of South Wairarapa's three main townships. The townsfolk appear to be very, very proud of their colonial heritage and are quite meticulous about labelling it. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that every house and business on the main street, which happens to double as SH2, has a small sign on it describing the building's provenance, proclaiming things like, 'This tōtara cottage was built in 1853 by the Rev James Cuckoo, the town's first religious crank. He was hanged in 1888 for blasphemy.' I might have made that up, but you get the olde worlde picture. In a town so interested in celebrating its colonial built-history, it comes as no surprise to the visitor that the village's current burghers also honour – and festoon with signs – the more notable colonial plantings, as well. This isn't something new. Greytown has been celebrating trees generally for much its life; the country's first Arbor Day was marked in Greytown on July 3, 1890. Which brings us back to the 'Historic Tree'. It, along with a slap-up lunch at the White Swan Hotel (make sure you have the dumplings and the crème brûlée) was what brought us to fair Greytown on a fair winter's Saturday. Listed as 'the Greytown Gum', the Eucalyptus regnans is one of the six finalists in the fourth annual Tree of the Year competition, a contest run by the NZ Notable Trees Trust. Also competing this year is a Morton Bay fig in Auckland Domain called 'The Fairy Tree', the 'Phantom Rātā' in Bay of Plenty, a redwood at Rangiora Borough School, 'Te Herenga Ora', a cluster of tī kōuka (cabbage trees) in Christchurch and 'the Chook Tree' at Waianakarua in North Otago. The last is a macrocarpa which looks a bit like a giant chicken. To strengthen that claim, it has a giant fake egg next to it, which is chicanery if you ask me. To qualify for the competition a tree has to be 'special' to a community and also have a bit of a story to it, which Greytown's 'Historic Tree' most certainly has, according to one of its three signs. It reads: 'Samuel Oates Gum Tree 1856'. The story goes that our gum tree was one of 12 seedlings pushed in a wheelbarrow over the Remutaka Hill track from Wellington in 1856 by a bloke called Samuel Oates, a task given to him by one Charles Rooking Carter, whose name now graces nearby Carterton. As anyone who has ever driven over the Remutakas will tell you, they're bloody steep. So it is no surprise that on arriving with the seedlings in Greytown, Samuel Oakes decided to wet his whiskers at the Rising Sun Hotel (since deceased). It was while slaking his thirst with local ale that three of the 12 seedlings were pinched from his wheelbarrow by person or persons unknown. What is known is that all three were then planted in various parts of Greytown. Now, 169 years later, only the one with the three signs remains, making the Greytown Gum the sole survivor of not just history, but of a highway robbery. Which means the emphatic road sign has it all wrong. It shouldn't say 'Historic Tree', it should say 'Historic Crime Scene'. While Michele and I were admiring the Historic Crime Scene, two young women stopped to have a gander at it as well, so we told them about the gum being in the Tree of the Year competition and encouraged them to vote for it before the ballot closes on June 30. One shook her head. 'I'm going to have to vote for a native,' she said earnestly. There was a pause. Then she turned to the giant gum. 'Sorry,' she said.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Potomac Edison Employee Volunteers Plant 2,000+ Donated Trees in Maryland and West Virginia
Total helps put FirstEnergy on pace to exceed 2025 tree donation goal WILLIAMSPORT, Md., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Employee volunteers from Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), have planted more than 2,000 company-donated trees across the company's Maryland and West Virginia service territory in 2025 as part of its commitment to the environment and sustainability. Michele Dellinger, Advanced Forestry Specialist and Lead of Potomac Edison's Green Team: "Local tree plantings are an important way to demonstrate our commitment to the environment while also helping to enhance community green spaces across our service territory." Potomac Edison's Green Team is a group of employees who volunteer their time and talents to support a wide variety of environmental initiatives. The Green Team volunteers planted trees and pollinator gardens in several areas this spring while also participating in multiple tree giveaways. The plantings and giveaways included: Emmitsburg, Maryland: Volunteers partnered with Stream Link Education and the town of Emmitsburg to plant 200 trees near Toms Creek that will improve storm water runoff and creek water quality. Grantsville, Maryland: Green Team members, park staff and other volunteers planted more than 1,000 bare-root evergreens at New Germany State Park. Middletown, Maryland: Volunteers planted 50 trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Mount Savage, Maryland: Volunteers planted 100 saplings at Evergreen Heritage Center, a historic property on 130 acres that provides hands-on enrichment programs that benefit Western Maryland. Martinsburg, West Virginia: Volunteers gave away approximately 200 flowering dogwood trees at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center as part of an Earth Day event. Approximately 22,000 trees have already been planted at parks and nature reserves throughout FirstEnergy's six-state service territory so far this year. Tree plantings and giveaways support FirstEnergy's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, promote the responsible use of natural resources and further the advancement of sustainable practices. FirstEnergy's 10 Green Teams consist of employees from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia. The groups partner with state park systems, watershed and recycling groups, garden clubs, schools and other environmentally focused organizations to support FirstEnergy's commitment to building a brighter and more sustainable future. To arrange a tree planting with Potomac Edison's Green Team, please contact Michele Dellinger at mdellinger@ For more information about FirstEnergy's commitment to environmental initiatives, visit Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven counties in Maryland and about 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at on X @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at and on X @FirstEnergyCorp. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Metro
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Little Rascals actress and former child star Betsy Gay dies aged 96
The former child star Betsy Gay, who rose to prominence in the 1930s, has died aged 96. The late screenstar and renowned yodeller died on June 13, as confirmed by her friend Bob Satterfield. As a child star during the Golden Age of Hollywood, her movie career kicked off after appearing in a series of comedy films called Our Gang comedies e.g. Our Gangs Follies of 1938, which later became well known as Little Rascals. After starring in the role of Alfalfa's girlfriend Effie for multiple years, she moved on at the end of the decade. Other high-profile projects she was involved in included Arbor Day, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Pinch Singer, with her featuring in over 40 movies (credited or uncredited) over the course of her career. In 1941, she had a yodelling scene in an Andy Clyde short, and after performing the skill in a handful of other movies, she started singing with country music stars of the time such as Stuart Hamblen and his Lucky Stars and Tex Williams. She was also California State Yodelling Champion two years in a row in the mid-1940s. Per reports, Betsy was also the youngest entertainer to sing and yodel for the Hollywood Victory Committee Shows during World War Two. As well as appearing on stage in productions like Quality Street, A Kiss For Cinderella, and Heros Unlimited. More Trending Alongside her brewing music career, which involved touring and radio appearances on shows like The Jimmy Wakeley Show and The Don Amache Show, she continued pursuing acting opportunities. At one point, she was a regular cast member of the ABC show Squeakin' Deacon's Country Store and in the 1960s was a regular on the Mike Douglas show, International Party Time which ran for 13 weeks. In 1954, she married Thomas Cashen and they shared five children – twins Mimi and Gigi, Tommy, Suzy and Cathy. Although she has not been in the limelight for several decades, in 2019 she uploaded a brief YouTube clip celebrating World Yodel Day. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Chicago Tribune
08-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Asking Eric: Advice for visiting grandma with dementia
Dear Eric: We live in the same town as my son's family. He and his wife have two little boys. Our daughter-in-law's parents have many nice homes, including a local condo. Her mother takes charge and makes plans for every holiday unless she's traveling. And we are never invited, despite our invites to them whenever we've squeezed in some plans. My son knows how we feel, agrees, but begs us not to say anything because they are so touchy. We don't want to cause trouble for him, but it is getting pretty hard to remain silent. Thoughts? – Uninvited Dear Uninvited: I really wish your son would say something to his in-laws about this. I understand that no one is under any obligation to invite anyone else into their home and that this 'touchy' relationship with his wife's family likely has other pain points. But you need an advocate here and it's (relatively) easier for him to stand up for you than for you to insert yourself. Short of that, however, you might want to have a conversation with your son and daughter-in-law about sharing holidays. The intention isn't to incite a turf war with your daughter-in-law's parents. Rather, by saying, 'I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year and I'd like for you to come' (or Fourth of July or Arbor Day, whatever the case may be), you start to rebalance the scales. The in-law's wants and plans don't have to be the default. By asking for what you want (or a version of what you want), you'll also be giving your son and daughter-in-law the chance to exercise their own autonomy. Maybe they don't want to automatically go to her parents' every year. Splitting family holidays can get complicated, but it's important to remember the ultimate goal is quality time together, in whichever configuration works best. Dear Eric: I'm a sophomore in high school and I read your column in the Seattle Times. My grandma has dementia. Over the past year, we've noticed more and more signs and convinced her to move into a nursing home a few months ago because we can't provide the constant care she needs. She's at a more advanced stage now and can't walk or feed herself, and she forgets who we are sometimes, which is hard for all of us. I love her so, so much and she was such a big part of my life, but now I can barely get through visits without breaking down. I hate seeing her like this and I'm finding myself avoiding visits because I can't face seeing her in a wheelchair and being so confused. She doesn't have a lot of time left and I don't want to regret not seeing her more, but I don't know how to get through the visits. I feel so guilty, but I don't feel brave enough to go. Is there anything I can do? – Loving Granddaughter Dear Granddaughter: The grief we feel when a loved one develops dementia can be incredibly complex. I'm so sorry for what your grandmother is going through and what you're experiencing. Right now, you're likely grieving the aspect of the relationship you've lost, as well as what's going on in the present. You may also be feeling some grief about what's to come. That's a lot – past, present and future all coming together in every visit to the nursing home. So, please try to grant yourself some grace. This is hard and sometimes bravery looks different. Regret about not spending more time with a loved one, or not spending the right kind of time, is complicated, too. It's something we can rarely control, but which we can guide in a different direction. Before you visit your grandmother, remind yourself that if your grandmother doesn't remember you, that's not the full truth of your relationship. Pull up photos or videos that bring to mind times that felt happier for you. This phase is a part of her journey – and your shared journey together – but it's not the whole story. When a loved one is nearing the end of their life, we can sometimes develop an 'all or nothing' feeling. As if the way we respond is the only thing that's going to matter or the only thing we'll remember. That's not true, but it takes work to reinforce that internally. This is a time for you to communicate where you are and what you're feeling with your parents and other loved ones. You can also reach out to a counselor at your school, if one is available, or look up dementia or grief support groups online. You'll find that you're not alone and you don't have to navigate this on your own. Take the time you need, be gentle with yourself, and hold on to the full arc of your grandmother's story.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Who stole the tree? Bizarre crime reported at presidential library in Ohio
FREMONT, Ohio (WCMH) — An unexpected crime has occurred at the former Ohio home of the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes. The estate, known as Spiegel Grove, is the location of the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums and its grounds host an accredited arboretum featuring more than 1,700 trees. According to a news release from the organization, one of those trees — a tiny bristlecone pine — was stolen. Incidents of cars into buildings seems to be climbing in Columbus The unusual evergreen was the only one of its kind at The Grove, a level II arboretum with more than 100 species of trees and woody plants. The organization noted that bristlecone pines are among the 'oldest-known living things on earth' and can 'live 4,000 to 5,000 years.' The tree, reportedly pulled out of the ground, was planted as a seedling on Arbor Day 2021 as part of the strategically planted and cataloged collection on the historic property. Fremont police were notified of the theft, which is believed to have been perpetrated by someone trespassing around 1:30 a.m. on May 15. The grounds crew took extra care to protect the tree by placing rocks around it to keep it from being disturbed near the front parking lot. Additionally, the tree added a charm to the property during the holidays, as its decoration of one red bulb gave it a 'Charlie Brown Tree' effect. $4.7 million awarded to 3 central Ohio cities to improve bike, pedestrian infrastructure Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fremont Police Department at 419-332-6464 or Hayes Presidential Building and Grounds Superintendent John Havens at 419-332-2081. The Hayes Presidential Library became the first presidential library in the U.S. and was the model for the federal presidential library system. It is partially funded by the state of Ohio and is affiliated with the Ohio History Connection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
