DAR plants chestnuts for deceased members

ORONO – Members of the Esther Eayres Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution planted two American chestnut trees in Orono’s Webster Park on May 12.

The trees were planted in memory of DAR members Katherine Miles Durst, Geraldine Scammon Robichaud, Virginia Palmer Parsons and Patricia Atwood, all of whom died last year.

Taking part in the ceremony were Jane Whelden, chapter regent; Mary Dickey, vice regent and conservation chairman; Elizabeth Hotchkiss, state chairman for conservation; and Kathy Carter and Ann Pilcher of the Orono Tree Board. Other members of the tree board are Emily Wesson, Chris Dorian, David Thompson and Richard Campana. A special guest was Polly Bartow of Fryeburg, DAR state regent. A luncheon was served at Alice Smith’s home afterward.

Orono has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This is the seventh year Orono has received the national award to recognize the work of the tree board, which receives assistance from the Orono Public Works Department.