The Arbor Day Ceremony in the
Riverwalk Memorial Grove
Heritage Arbor Day is an event of the Heritage Association planned and conducted by the Riverwalk Park Committee to honor a deceased distinguished citizen who made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of life in this community. A significant historical and cultural tradition since 1979, it is held outdoors each year at the Memorial Grove in Veramendi Plaza in November.
Potential nominees are individuals who have made outstanding and enduring contributions to the community. They are distinguished by selfless effort and dedicated leadership to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. Selection is made by the Riverwalk Park Committee from nominations received from any citizen of the community and/or the committee. Traditionally, only one honoree has been named each year.
1) Nominees need not have been members of the Heritage Association.
2) Nominees must have lived in the area for at least five years.
3) Death must have occurred between January 1 and December 31 of the previous calendar year.
4) Reasons for the nomination must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Riverwalk Park Committee.
Soon after the Arbor Day recipient is named, the city Parks and Recreation Department will plant a native tree in the Memorial Grove for the celebration which will take place in November. The committee works with the family to prepare the program. At the ceremony a bronze plaque will be presented to the family then placed at the base of the tree identifying this Heritage Arbor Day honoree as a contributor to the history and wellbeing of our community.
Potential nominees are individuals who have made outstanding and enduring contributions to the community. They are distinguished by selfless effort and dedicated leadership to improve the lives of their fellow citizens. Selection is made by the Riverwalk Park Committee from nominations received from any citizen of the community and/or the committee. Traditionally, only one honoree has been named each year.
1) Nominees need not have been members of the Heritage Association.
2) Nominees must have lived in the area for at least five years.
3) Death must have occurred between January 1 and December 31 of the previous calendar year.
4) Reasons for the nomination must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Riverwalk Park Committee.
Soon after the Arbor Day recipient is named, the city Parks and Recreation Department will plant a native tree in the Memorial Grove for the celebration which will take place in November. The committee works with the family to prepare the program. At the ceremony a bronze plaque will be presented to the family then placed at the base of the tree identifying this Heritage Arbor Day honoree as a contributor to the history and wellbeing of our community.
Photos from the 2022 Arbor Day Ceremony honoring Frances and Ted Breihan:
Individual memorial trees have been planted since 1979
to posthumously honor the following citizens of the community:
|
Virginia Hightower, 1979
Walter Buckner, 1980 Herbert Yarbrough, 1981 James Dell Cummings, 1982 Robert C. Van Gundy, 1983 Dr. Buford Williams, 1984 The Rev. H. Ellis Thomas, 1984 Dempsey Serur, 1985 Dennis McCoy, 1986 Addison Buckner, 1987 Terry L. Jacks, 1987 Joe Vasquez, Jr., 1987 Oscar Calvin Smith, Jr., 1988 R. Eugene Phillips, 1989 Helen Holcombe Allen, 1990 Tula Townsend Wyatt, 1991 Elizabeth Hofheinz Martindale, 1992 Joe Nicola, Sr., 1993 H. Y. Price, Jr., 1994 Robert J. Pollard, 1995 Thomas J. Yoakum, 1996 Bob Kercheville, 1997 Ambassador William H. Crook, 1998 |
Theodora Scrutchin, 1999
Joe G. Rodriguez, 2000 Lydell Clayton, 2001 Jack Lindstrom, 2002 Dr. William L. Moore, 2003 John Cooper, 2004 Luciano Flores, 2005 Max Souby, 2007 Carl W. Anderson, 2008 John Morrissett, 2009 Steve R Gregg, 2010 Dr. Gwen K. Smith, 2011 Edwin Mutschlechner, 2012 Emmett McCoy, 2013 Willie Higgs, 2014 Martha D. Jackson, 2015 Bob Sappington, 2016 Dorothy "Dottie" Sims, 2017 Ofelia Vasquez-Philo, 2018 Bruce Ingram, 2019 Patty Sherrill Sullivan, 2020 Marie Jager, 2021 Ted and Frances Breihan 2022 |
