Goodnoe Students Join Newtown Borough In Celebrating Arbor Day

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — Newtown celebrated Arbor Day on May 15 with the help of first and fifth grade students from Goodnoe Elementary School.

Held at Brian Gregg Memorial Park on North Congress Street, the town's annual celebration of its trees presented by the Newtown Borough Recreation Board included learning stations, music, games and lots and lots of animals.

Eco-man (Philadelphia educator Richard McLaughlin), an Arbor Day mainstay, returned this year to lead the children in songs about the environment, including what has become Newtown Arbor Day’s unofficial anthem - “Reduce. Re-use. Recycle.”

In addition to learning about trees from a certified arborist with Davey Expert Tree Company, the kids learned about some of the reptiles, birds and animals who live in and among the trees.

A parrot from the Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo adds a touch of the tropics to the event.

Charis Matey from the Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo brought a handful of animals and a parrot to show the kids.

Charis Matey from the Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo holds a Fennec Fox. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Two educators from the Barn Nature Center brought several reptiles to the event, including a turtle and a slithering snake that had the kids mesmerized.

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 representatives from TMA Bucks and Walk Friendly Newtown, who stressed pedestrian and bicycle safety, and Charis Matey from the Peaceable Kingdom Petting Zoo who brought several exotic animals and a parrot to share with the kids

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 Arbor Day proclamations.

The ceremony included participation by Mayor John Burke, Council Rock Superintendent Andy Sanko, State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, State Rep. Perry Warren, and a representative from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office.

A staff member at the Barn Nature Center shows off a snake at the event. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

A turtle from the Barn Nature Center checks out the kids at Arbor Day. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Goodnoe students perform during the Arbor Day ceremony. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Newtown's own "Worm Man" was a popular station at the Arbor Day celebration. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Youngsters react as a worm squirms in a child's hand. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Nicole Rodowicz from TMA Bucks demonstrates how to properly put on a helmet.

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

Newtown Borough Parks and Recreation Board member Tracey Osecki served as emcee introducing Council Rock Superintendent Andy Sanko, State Senator Steve Santarsiero, State Rep. Perry Warren and a representative from U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's office.

Dr. Sanko led the recognition of this year's Arbor Day poster contest winners. He joined the lawmakers in recognizing first grade winners Molly Wang, Aashrita Anand and Timothy Burko and fifth grade winners Inaya Hammad, Tabitha Frahz, and Gabriella Szczech.

The first-grade poster contest winners are recognized. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The fifth-grade poster contest winners are recognized. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

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

The Newtown Rotary Club donated funds to purchase herbs and handed them out to the youngsters at the Arbor Day celebration. The herbs were grown by students from the Council Rock Achieve program. The youngsters also took home apples, compliments of Shady Brook Farm.

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.

At the Newtown Rotary Club table, youngsters decorate bags to take home a free herb plant. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Newtown Rotarians Paul Salvatore and Stephanie Eubanks at the Rotary Club Arbor Day table.

Keeping things safe at the Arbor Day celebration are, from left, Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath, Mayor John Burke, Sergeant Sean Orr and Corporal James Warunek. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Everyone took home a fresh apple, compliments of Shady Brook Farm. (Jeff Werner/Patch)