Texas Arbor Day
Pledge, Prayer, Poem, & Proclamation
Dale Alexander led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance under the 16 American flags flying in the breezy winds under ominous cloudy skies. After months of drought, all were hoping to get rained on.
Pastor Sunshine Reyes spoke a lovely prayer followed by reading Joyce Kilmer's poem, "Trees" Several in the audience could be heard citing familiar lines along with her, especially the final stanza, "Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree."
Then Paige Sciba, City Councilmember, graciously agreeing to stand in for Mayor Lori An Gobert who had a previous engagement, read the proclamation by the City of Columbus proclaiming Friday, November 1, 2024, Columbus Garden Club Texas Arbor Day honoring Doreen and Dale Alexander. Applause erupted as Paige handed the proclamation to Wanda.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |
The Columbus Garden Club has long history of beautifying and improving wildlife habitat in our community. The club's projects have includes many celebrations following the traditions of Texas Arbor Day history. Below is a sampling of how our Texas Arbor Celebrations unfold with the 2024 event held Friday, November 1, 2024.
Welcome
As 40+ Columbus and area citizens assembled at MidTown Park near the flag circle, Wanda Anglin welcomed them and the VIPs seated at her right. She explained that Club President, Janet Johnson, was under the weather and she was standing in for her to lead the ceremony.
The VIPs were introduced:
-
Doreen and Dale Alexander, the day's honorees, co-owners of God’s Corner Store and contributors to many projects that serve our community
-
Paige Sciba, Columbus City Council Member
-
Pastor Sunshine Reyes, Ministerial Alliance of Columbus and senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Columbus
-
Stan Warfield, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Colorado County and pastor of Lissie First United Methodist Church
-
Erica Kollaja, Colorado County Tax Assessor/Collector
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |
Arbor Day History and Honorees
Columbus Garden Club Board member (Historian & Publicity) , Velma Harrington, read an account of how Arbor Day began in the United States and led to the state adopting its own Texas Arbor Day.
Then Board members Debbie Braden (Past President), Patti Schindler (Treasurer), and Jennie Pritchett (Secretary) read a brief history of Doreen and Dale Alexanders' lives and highlights of some of the many contributions to our community and the nation that they have made. One of the primary projects is their God's Corner Store. Previously their bridal shop that served locals' needs for countless formal events, the store is now a non-profit store and relief center that accepts donations of all types of housewares and cash. All proceeds go back into the community. Doreen, Dale, and a small team of volunteers take in donated items to display in the thrift store where you will find high quality, gently used clothing, furniture, home décor, books, toys, and housewares.
Since 2017, the store has used its proceeds to benefit transients, abused women escaping dangerous situations, those facing catastrophes like home fires, and to collaborate with partnership organizations such as the Ministerial Alliance Disaster Fund. Fire departments around the county know that victims can get help from Doreen and Dale. They support disasters beyond our area, sending needed items to victims nationwide when needed.
Flag Fund Donation & Honoree Recognition
Dale Alexander had an idea years ago to line Milam St, the main entrance from the freeway to town, with the Stars & Stripes. The City said it was a fine idea and any of the homeowners along the route who agreed could have a flag flown daily in their yard. Dale and Boy Scout Troop 312 have been keeping the flags flying and looking wonderful giving the small town feel Columbus is famous for.
Dale has funded this project mostly out of his own pocket, but opened the Alexander Flag Fund at Industry State Bank in Columbus when the project got underway. It is available for anyone to make a deposit. The Columbus Garden Club donated $150 to the fund to honor the Alexanders during the ceremony.
Wanda awarded a certificate to the Alexanders to commemorate the day and their contributions to the community.
Ceremonial Planting the Tree
Thanks to the amazing efforts of City Manager, Don Warschak, and his maintenance crew, the tree was planted in very hard drought-parched soil earlier in the week. They also ran a water line to re-hydrate the soil before planting and for the first year or two of its life as it naturalizes.
Don was also the one who suggested the planting site because of its proximity to the flag circle, the Boy Scout cabin, and the veteran's memorial statue which remind us all of some of Dale's contributions to our community and the nation.
Though the tree was professionally planted, no Arbor Day ceremony would be complete without the ceremonial planting of the tree. The VIPs of the day obliged.
Dale followed with a heartfelt thank you to God and to the attendees for celebrating Doreen and him. He pointed out many in the crowd who, in his words, had done as much or more.
Reception
All attending were invited to enjoy refreshments prepared by Garden Club members.
Thanks
Many thanks to the 2024 Texas Arbor Day Committee: Wanda Anglin (chair), Velma Harrington, Patti Schindler, Dell Szymkowki, and Brenda Wyman for their collaborative effort to plan, setup, and takedown the ceremony. And thanks to all citizens and Garden Club members who attended.
Behind the Scenes
A lot went into the planning for the event. The city put up fresh flags in the flag circle, ran a water line close to the tree, and dug the hole and planted the tree. Club publicity chair, Velma Harrington, got the word out to the banks and Chamber of Commerce to display the event information on their publicity signs and she hand-delivered the information to radio station, KULM, to get it on their community calendar. Club members and very special guest, Willie Mae Williams, attended the Colorado County Commissioners meeting where Friday, November 1, 2024, where the commissioners proclaimed Columbus Garden Club Texas Arbor Day in honor of Doreen and Dale Alexander. Here is a taste of what happened in the week before the ceremony.
