Garden club replaces missing tree markers

RED BAY — Instead of planting a new tree and selecting a new honoree for a marker, Red Bay Garden Club members celebrated Arbor Day by working to replace any missing markers or trees for past recipients.

Club President Diane Russell explained most of the markers were found at the city storage area, although three had to be replaced. Most of the replacement trees and markers will be replanted along the Hoyt-Keeton Walking Trail.

One will return to the campus of Red Bay High School once the current construction work is complete.

Garden club member Mary-Kathryn Wiggins read the names of past honorees, noting the club’s Arbor Day project carries special meaning for her family because her grandmother, Katie Tiffin, is a previous honoree.

The original tree planted in her grandmother’s honor was removed years ago during construction of the agricultural building and greenhouse at Red Bay High.

“I just think it’s a great way to honor my granny,” Wiggins said. “I remember how excited she was to receive the honor and how thrilled we all were.”

The program also included a presentation on the history of Arbor Day by garden club member Karen Boyd.

Russell said Red Bay holds an Arbor Day program each year in part to meet the requirements to maintain the “Tree City, USA” designation.

The event concluded with the distribution of free trees provided by the Alabama Forestry Commission. Varieties given away included persimmon, white dog- wood, black tupelo, sassafras, white oak and ginkgo.

Red Bay Garden Club’s tree plantings and markers include the following:

• In memory of Joyce Dyer — Bay Tree Park

• In memory of Gene Dempsey — Weatherford Library

• In memory of Walker Dempsey, M.D. — Red Bay Hospital

• In memory of Ben Berry — Sara Dinsmore Center

• In memory of Arva Ray Jordan — First United Methodist Church

• In memory of Martha Ree Bostick — First United Methodist Church

• In memory of Odus Holley — Red Bay Post Office (by Civitans)

• In memory of Red Bay Garden Club charter members — Main Street

• In memory of Archie Lee — Bay Tree Park

• In memory of Fred Bostick Jr. — Redmont Country Club

• In memory of Katie Tiffin — Red Bay School

• In honor of Anne Vinson and in memory of Homer Vinson — First Baptist Church

• In honor of Eugenia Nixon and in memory of Lee Nixon — Red Bay Housing Authority

• In honor of Junior Centennial Board — Red Bay School

• In honor of Ed and Jane Bullen — Weatherford Library

• In memory of Charlotte Hellums — Red Bay School

• In memory of Tammy Underwood — Bay Tree Park

• In memory of Edna Holley — Heritage Park

• In honor of Rosalyn Fabianke — Bay Tree Park

• In honor of Billy Bolton — Community Spirit Bank Park

• In honor of Scotty Kennedy — Bay Tree Park

• In honor of the Red Bay Hospital’s 50th anniversary — Red Bay Hospital

• In celebration of the Red Bay Garden Club’s 80th birthday — Bay Tree Park

• In memory of Emma Frances Bullen — Heritage Park