story & photo
by Amy Pjura

On April 23, the Claude Chester Elementary School, Groton, hosted an Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting Ceremony. Lee Vincent, Assistant to the Town Manager, was the emcee again this year. As part of an intergenerational program, Mrs. Rahl’s fifth grade class and Groton Seniors headed up the project to plant a tree for Arbor Day.

Mayor Harry Watson read the Arbor Day proclamation and began with a proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.” Guest speaker Chris Donnelly,  State Forestry Coordinator, CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), presented the “Tree City USA” award and flag to Mayor Watson and Prinicipal Carol Glaude, Claude Chester Elementary Scool. It is Groton’s 14th year receiving the award and is one of 15 towns/cities in CT to be a “Tree City.”