Characters sprout at Arbor Day event

Volunteers always welcome to join Shademakers group

If the guest list and the amount of freebies are any indication, the annual Arbor Day celebration is blossoming into lots of fun for the children attending.

The event starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chillicothe Public Library. All children are welcome.

Appearing in person this year will be Ronald McDonald, Smokey the Bear and the Pride Pals.

Ronald will perform his magic show, with free bags of cookies and McDonald’s coupons.

Smokey will bring a Smokey treat, and a prize bag will contain goodies, a Mother’s Day card kit to make a card, a plantable bookmark, a recyclable pencil, soybean crayons and other items, for both children and adults.

The event, expected to last about 45 minutes, is co-sponsored by Shademakers/Beautification and the library.

Growing again
Finding dedicated green thumbs has been difficult over the years for the Shademakers/Beautification Board.

But recently, new members have rejuvenated the existing volunteers, adding three new board members — Tom Geiger, Jim Mattingly and Judy McColl.

“That’s absolutely huge,” said chairwoman Trish Connor. “We’re really excited.”

McColl became plugged into Shademakers after starting a fundraising campaign for United States flags to fly in Chillicothe.

Jerry Donnelly joined the board by early fall in 2009.

After seeing a letter to the editor Connor wrote, he decided to join Shademakers.

“I was kinda looking for something to volunteer my time with to reciprocate the good support I have received from the community,” said Donnelly, and the perk of being outside while volunteering clinched the deal.

With a real estate and landscaping background, Donnelly recently spent hours alongside other Shademakers at the city’s welcome sign. He also maintains the area near the Cutright Park sign and by the bathrooms.

Each Shademaker has an area he or she takes care of, plus the areas they nurture collectively.

Some serve on the board and have spouses who assist, too, such as Connor’s husband, Mike, or Geiger’s wife, Maria.

The Geigers have taken over the median on Walnut Street in front of Geiger True Value hardware store.

Previously, retiring Shademakers Lonnie and Pat Parr cared for the area. The Parrs will be honored with the planting of a red bud tree in front of McDonald’s before Arbor Day activities Saturday.

Alderman Mel Witte serves as the Shademaker liasion to the Chillicothe City Council.

Members also keep up the areas in front of City Hall, the police station, city stage and downtown flower pots. Connor said the group would like to take on more projects, but they need more members to do so.

One goal the Shademakers may try to reach is joining the Keep America Beautiful program. They also will assist with the flag decorating project.The theme this year seems to be “flagging up and greening up,” Connor said.

With a break during the winter, the volunteers work their areas in the spring, and typically meet once, sometimes twice, a month at the Chillicothe Police Department. Connor said volunteers may do as little or as much as they want.

Prior to the event, Shadmakers will plant a tree at McDonald’s honoring the dedicated service of Lonnie and Pat Parr, 15-year volunteers.

If residents would like to volunteer their time, call Connor at 274-2937, Witte at 274-3348, or City Hall at 274-2020.

While there are 14 board seats for Shademakers, volunteers are never too plentiful.

“If you enjoy the time outside, then give it a try,” said Donnelly.