June 14 declared Arbor Day in the City of Antigo
By Craig Marx, Editor
Despite popular belief, Arbor Day does not have to be held on the typical late April date that most Americans have become accustomed to. Mayor Bill Brandt declared June 14 as Arbor Day in the City of Antigo on Tuesday, delivering a speech at Mendlik Park that was received by a receptive crowd of both children and adults waiting for the opportunity to plant their own trees.
The American Transmission Company provided the funding necessary for the 2016 tree plantings. The prospective planters were also taught the correct methods for planting new trees with a hands-on demonstration conducted by Don Kissinger, a forestry specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Kissinger also noted a new DNR match grant for the planting and pruning of trees in the Antigo area worth nearly $48,000 for 2016.
Park and Recreation Supervisor Sarah Repp and members of her department were on hand to assist the volunteer planters at Mendlik Park. Youthful volunteers, including children from the Boys and Girls Club summer camp, will have the chance to see their community contribution mature over the next century.