April 25 was Arbor Day, a long-held day of observation for tree planting and tree conservation. “Arbor” is the Latin word for “tree.” In Mattapoisett that Friday morning, the Mattapoisett Tree Committee held some events to commemorate the day, preserve the town’s natural beauty, and celebrate the memory of a local teacher now passed.
From the Tree Committee, Chair Nancy Souza and Treasurer Dianne Tsitsos began by raising a Tree City USA flag alongside the American flag outside Mattapoisett Town Hall. Tree City USA has worked with the town of Mattapoisett for nearly 60 years, according to the committee, to obtain and maintain the town’s trees. Both flags were only raised to half-mast however, due to the passing of Pope Francis. Prior to raising the flag, Souza spoke of the importance of both the Tree Committee and Arbor Day saying, “we feel it is important to maintain the trees that are here in this town.” They then directed the crowd to walk down Church Street to Center School where a white Asian stewartia would be planted in honor of Bill Spark, teacher in Mattapoisett schools for over 30 years, who passed in 2009.
To facilitate the tree planting, members of the Mattapoisett Highway Department were present. Treasurer of the Tree Committee Dianne Tsitsos emphasized the importance of their cooperation and the partnership with Garrett Bauer, Highway Surveyor, in obtaining the tree. Bauer was in attendance with two other Highway Department workers, Chris Nateau, Assistant Tree Warden, and Emerson Schroder, who planted the tree near the southeastern entrance to Center School with a plaque noting “In Memory of Bill Spark Teacher and Friend.”
By Sam Bishop