April 29 marked the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. The Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission celebrated by planting 17 memorial trees at Ginder Field and at the cemetery. The commission hosted a program on Saturday at Ludlow Park to honor the memorials.

Dr. Louis Vermillion, a member of the commission, led the program.

Vermillion said the Summit Hill Historical Society “wanted to restore the historic beauty of Summit Hill, and eventually formed the Shade Tree Commission. Over 570 trees were planted since then because of that, 66 of them are memorial trees. We plant trees in the park, along the streets, and other places. Most of those were sponsored by members of the community. That’s why it’s been a good program; there’s a lot of community involvement.”

Summit Hill Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina also addressed the crowd.

“I would just like to thank everyone for attending today’s ceremony. I want to thank Dr. Vermillion and everyone involved in the committee for all the work they do for the community. It is something that sometimes goes unappreciated. I want to thank the sponsors for donating the trees and keeping the shade tree experience going.”

Wes Keller from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry represented the DCNR in presenting the Tree City USA designation to Summit Hill, the 17th time the borough has been recognized. To be eligible, the community must meet four qualifications: maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day. Tree City USA is a project of the Arbor Day Foundation, started in 1976.

Family members of those memorialized attended, several spoke on behalf of the families.

Ken Forrest spoke about the memorial tree dedicated to the memory of his father, Robert Forrest, sponsored by the Summit Hill Historical Society.

“On behalf of my sister and I, I would like to thank the historical society for this honor. He just passed away this year, we had talked about possibly doing it. He was definitely a Hiller all throughout his life, and we are grateful.”

Pastor Marjorie Keiter of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Summit Hill, spoke on behalf of the family of Paul and Mary Kopla, who had a tree sponsored by Christine Kopla DePrato.

“Paul was a fisherman and a dairy farmer, and he definitely cared for creation. They both served their community. He was a member of the grange and the fire company in Walker Township. Mary was in charge of helping with high school reunions. She was a den mother, served on the PTA, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and she was chaplain of the grange. They were the most faithful, caring and loving people I think I ever met.”

“We have a small group of hard workers who keep this program working,” Dr. Vermillion said, thanking the other members of the commission.

The members of the Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission are: Lou Vermillion, John Kupec, Mary Ann Szczecina, Mary Helen Shelton, John Kupec III, Kevin Ruch and Ed Kerestes.

The tree memorials

In honor of with sponsor:

James Szczecina, Robert Forrest, Patrick Bonner, Clarence Derby (all Summit Hill Historical Society)

Thomas E. McCullian (Constance Garrett, John Garrett, and Barbara Garrett Madea)

Joel, Helen, Joel, and Wallace Kleckner (JoEllen Kleckner Rooney from Kleckner children - two trees)

Paul and Mary Kopla (M. Christine Kopla DePrato)

Robert and Mary Vrablic (Heather Vrablic Heffelfinger)

John, Glenn, and Scott Vrablic (Heather Vrablic Heffelfinger)

Joseph Valent (Anne Valent)

Ivan Darkes (Anne Valent)

William N. and Margaret B. Henry (Margaret E.H. Rockwell)

Helen Mimi” Derby (Phillip and Ann Chen)

Wilbur “Grandpap” Derby (John and Nancy Dodson)

Loves Ones (David Richards)

Bernard and Madelyn Gazo (Jennifer Gazo Vermillion and Richard Vermillion)