Downtown trees dedicated to memory of those who made a difference

Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends gather around a tree in front of Copper House Deli. The tree was dedicated to the memory of owner Richard Rogers.

It’s a habit of the City of Wetumpka to celebrate Arbor Day in early May by dedicating trees to the memory of someone who made a difference in Wetumpka.

It’s a project forester Ron Hilyer has been in the middle of for almost three decades. The city approached him to help celebrate Arbor Day planting trees.

Arbor Day

Cliff Williams / TPi Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis helps dedicate a tree in memory of Don Sawyer in front of Sawyer’s old studio on Company Street.

Arbor Day

Cliff Williams / TPI Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis speaks in front of tree that was dedicated in honor of Sylvia McConnell. The tree is in the newly opened Fall Line Overlook Park in front of the Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts of which McConnell was a founding board member.

Arbor Day

Cliff Williams / TPI The McConnell family poses with Mayor Jerry Willis after an Arbor Day tree dedication ceremony.