In Summit Hill, ‘every day is Arbor Day’

The Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission held its 20th annual Arbor Day program on Saturday by commemorating nine memorial trees that were planted.

Although the program was planned to be held in the Ginder Field where some of the trees were planted, it was moved indoors to the Summit Hill Borough Hall because of chilly temperatures and gusty winds.

A highlight of the program was the presentation of a banner proclaiming Summit Hill a “Tree City USA” for the 14th consecutive year.

The banner was given to Lou Vermillion, chairman of the commission, by Steve Ziegler, representing the Bureau of Forestry of the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Vermillion had other members of the commission join him in accepting the banner.

Ziegler praised the accomplishments of the commission and said, “Every day is Arbor Day here.”

He said he spoke with Shade Tree Commission members who informed him they are working on creating an arboretum in the borough.

John Kupec, a member of the commission, said cataloging of the trees in the parks of Summit Hill is underway. So far, he said, there are 94 different types of trees within the parks.

Vermillion said the Shade Tree Commission is an outgrowth of the Summit Hill Historical Society, with the intention being to “restore the historic beauty of Summit Hill.”

He said the historical society has sponsored three memorial trees per year in the past 20 years; a total of 60 trees.

In the past 20 years, approximately 524 trees have been planted in Summit Hill through the commission.

He said, “One of the commission’s responsibilities is to maintain our new trees through watering, pruning and mulching as well as removing and replacing hazardous or diseased trees.”

Members of the Summit Hill Borough Council who attended were Karen Ruzicka, Sara Ruch and Billy O’Gurek.

Ruzicka said, “We’re so grateful that the Summit Hill Shade Tree Commission does all this to beautify our town.”

Mayor Paul McArdle said of the commission, “They’re doing a fantastic job.”

Memorial trees commemorated were in honor of:

• Robert ‘Gurt’ O’Gurek Sr. by his wife, Patricia, and children Bobby, Justin, Trish and Ryan.

• John “Toot” O’Gurek by Patricia, Bobby, Justin, Trish and Ryan O’Gurek.

• Robert Pribila by his wife, Margaret Pribila.

• Alex Timothy Delaney by his parents, Timothy and Donna Delaney, and sisters Samantha, Rebecca, Aubrey, Lydia and Adalee.

• Joanie Kennedy by her husband, John, and family.

• McArdle family members by Mayor Paul McArdle.

The three trees sponsored by the historical society were “chosen to memorialize three business people who contributed to our community,” said Vermillion.

They are:

• Robert “Doc” Wylie and his wife, Ruth, who operated a drugstore for decades in the former site of the historical museum at 12 E. Ludlow St. Although not a pharmacist, his store sold nonprescription medications and other useful items. It also had a soda fountain. Maxine Vermillion, historical society president, said, “Mr. Wylie also received telegraphs at his store and had the sad duty of informing loved ones of their death during World War II.”

• Edwin O. Rex and his wife, Eva, who owned and operated a gas station where Miner’s Market is currently located. Maxine said, “Eddie Rex loved people and it was always service with a smile while washing your windshield and pumping gas. He was known for stopping his work to fix a kid’s flat bicycle tire and then sending him on his way with a smile without charge.” An award Rex received is on display at the museum.

• Catherine Bonner McHugh was a pharmacist with a drugstore in the town. Her niece, Marianne Bonner Garfield, shared memories of Catherine including how she used to mix cough syrup right in the store. “She loved this town,” Marianne said.

Vermillion said four members have been members of the Shade Tree Commission since it was formed in 1999. Besides himself, they are Kupec, Mary Ann Szczecina and Mary Helen Shelton. Other members are John Kupec III, Kevin Ruch and Ed Kerestes.