CLINTON — Saturday’s Arbor Day ceremonies served a dual purpose this year.
In addition to the traditional poster awards, junior foresters and tree planting, this year, the city’s arboretum was officially named the Carol McFeeters Thompson Arboretum. Thompson was a local naturalist who served as an educator, an activist for trees and a site interpreter at Weldon Springs State Recreation Area.
Saturday’s Arbor Day event began at Douglas School, and then weather permitted guests to watch and participate in the planting of a tree in Thompson’s honor in the space now named for her.
“She was an integral part of the Tree Commission,” said commission chairman John Baker, speaking at Saturday’s event. “She was an educator and out at the Springs for a number of years.”
Acting Clinton mayor Tom Edmunds spoke, recalling the 1968 tornado that ravaged much of the village of Wapella.
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