Tree Dedication Service At Garden City Bird Sanctuary

GCBS Directors Stephanie Bird, June Fay and Marye Heston at the tree dedication Garden City's community nature preserve continues to be a special place for many residents. A dedication service was held May 3 at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary for trees and shrubs donated in honor and memory of loved ones, or compliments of neighbors and friends. One tree was in memory of a grandfather, another for a sister. One was for a husband, dad, and special neighbor, and one to honor an 18th birthday. Another shrub was for a mother, one in memory of a long time tenant, and one to honor a USEPA geologist by co-workers. Over fifty people, including families and friends, attended the services officiated by Deacon George Browne with St. Anne's Church. Following the dedication , refreshments were served compliments of GCBS Director Marye Heston.

Deacon Browne read a prayer and offered words of comfort and thanks. Rob Alvey, President of the Bird Sanctuary, lead the group in a song- "In the Bulb There is a Flower" and read the names of the honorees. Guests were asked if they would like to say a few words about the loved ones and Rob pointed out the many "Money plants" in purple bloom this time of year that his sister had spread the seeds of before she passed away in 1999. Frank McDonough had also approached the Bird Sanctuary to donate his favorite tree, the America Elm, which had suffered a devastating blight before the re-introduction of disease resistant species a few years ago. Patricia DeMasi thanked everyone, and noted the robin nesting in the pine, her husband Michael's favorite tree. Maureen Harrison was pleased with the flowers on the Viburnum donated in memory of her mother, and remarked that her mom would probably liked to have cut a clipping of the dedication and mailed it to a family friend.

Pat Demasi and Bocci by the pine dedicated in memory of Michael Demasi The Garden City Bird Sanctuary Inc. would like to extend its appreciation for the donations made to help develop the community nature preserve.

A weeping cherry in memory of Joseph J. Abrusci by the Abrusci Family.

Deacon George Browne of St. Anne's Church leads a prayer A Burkwood Viburnum in memory of Vera Harrison by Lenore Los Kamp.

A Nootkantensis Pine in memory of Michael DeMasi by Friends and neighbors.

An Arizona Cypress in memory of Helen Taggart by Margaret Taggart.

A Weeping Cypress in memory of Harold G. Farrenkopf by John W. Cronin, Pat Bozymowski, Pat Giordano, Nancy Giordano, Hank Schaefer Janet Schafer.

An Arizona Cypress In honor of Kenneth Lovelace, USEPA by the EPA Ground Water Forum.

An Arborvitae in honor of Kathleen C. Alvey by Josh Littlefield and Nick Cipollina.

An Arizona Cypress in honor of Robert Wernersbach by Nancy and Eleanor Wernersbach

A Weeping Spruce compliments of the Pepe family.

A River Birch compliments of the Harder family.

An American Elm compliments of Francis McDonough.