Several dozen people attended the 24th annual Arbor Day ceremony by the Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission in the borough’s Ludlow Park, Saturday.

There were two highlights to the program.

First, it was announced that for the 19th consecutive year, Summit Hill was designated as a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation. A cloth banner proclaiming the town as a “Tree City USA” was unveiled by Shade Tree Commission members Lou Vermillion and Ken Forrest.

Six memorial trees have been planted by the Commission:

• Three trees were sponsored by the Summit Hill Historical Society. They were planted in memory of Bruce Frassinelli, Norman Serina and Suzanne McCready.

• A tree in memory of Albert and Anna Marie Williams was sponsored by their daughter, Esther Marsolik, and her husband Mike.

• A tree for deceased members of the Marian Catholic Class of 1974 was planted by that respective class.

• A tree planted in memory of Louis Lisella by member of the Panther Valley High School Class of 1968.

Vermillion, chairman of the Shade Tree Commission introduced the other members. Besides Forrest, they are John Kupec, Kevin Ruch, Ed Kerestes, Mary Ann Szczecina and John Kupec III.

“In the past 23 years, approximately 600 trees have been planted in Summit Hill through the Shade Tree Commission, and awareness has been raised to the benefit of trees,” Vermillion said.

He said since the tree memorial program has been established, 74 trees have been sponsored by the Historical Society and more than 100 by community members.

He said attendance at this year’s program was among the best in recent years.

Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina offered remarks. He said although the gathering for Arbor Day is held once a year, “what Dr. Vermillion and his group do is a year-long program. It really is a benefit to Summit Hill to have a group so dedicated.”

David Wargo, president of Summit Hill Borough Council, gave brief comments.

A synopsis was read regarding the honorees for the memorial trees.

Frassinelli’s son, Michael, said his father - despite working for newspapers in several cities - had a hat he often wore which read “proud Summit Hill native.”

He said that although his father left Summit Hill to attend college, “Summit Hill never left him.”

Debbie Serina Miller, daughter of Norman Serina, spoke about how her father “held court” with friends on Ludlow Street and at the Post Office. She said he always shared his magazines with others.

“My father loved this town,” she said.

Maxine Vermillion of the historical society spoke on behalf of Suzanne McCready, wife of the late Attorney Thomas McCready. She said although the McCready was once a prominent name in Summit Hill, there are no family members still living in the town.

Esther Marsolik spoke about her parents, Albert and Anna Marie Williams. She said her parents were high school sweethearts. Albert served in World War II and was injured at the battle of Normandy. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Kathy Crampsie, president of the Marian High School Class of 1974, said that in a very short period, the class lost five members. The memorial tree is in honor of the deceased classmates.

Mark Lazar, son-in-law of Lisella, said the honoree was a sheriff and his father was once mayor of Summit Hill. Lazar said, “Anyone who knew him, one word to describe him might be ‘helpful.’” It was stated that Lisella “was so fond of Summit Hill.”

His widow, Judy Lisella, and daughterr, Helene Lazar, were also present.

Vermillion said two of the memorial trees were planted in the GAR Cemetery, two were planted in Memorial Park, one was planted in Ginder Park and one was planted in Ludlow Park.