Larry Vodenik of Perry, the retired by irrepressible community event coordinator for the Perry Hy-Vee, gathered Friday afternoon with students from the Perry Elementary School and the St. Patrick Catholic School to mark the 50th observance of National Arbor Day by planting two serviceberry saplings in Wiese Park.
Joining Vodenik in the Arbor Day exercise were Perry Elementary School Principal Dr. Ryan Marzen, Perry Parks and Recreation Director John Anderson, Parks Supervisor Kevin Kanealy and Assistant Parks Supervisor Mike Peterson.
“This is a great lesson for the students in ecology and community, service,” Marzen said.
Anderson told the students that the derecho wind storms of 2020 and 2021 and the ongoing infestation by the emerald ash borer have reduced the city of Perry’s stock of trees, but the city has established a tree nursery to provide future trees.
Vodenik told the kids that the Perry Hy-Vee bought the two serviceberry trees from Perry Greenhouse and Supply, where anyone can pay for a young tree to be delivered to the Perry Parks and Recreation Department for planting in a Perry park.
