Memorial planting

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

McCook arborist Bruce Hoffman prepares a Shademaster honeylocust for planting at the Heritage Senior Center Tuesday afternoon. The Augustyn children, including, from the right, sisters Kathy Robles of Kearney and Peggy Andrews of McCook, planted the tree in memory of their parents, Joe and Maribeth, both McCook Public Schools teachers. Maribeth was also a violin teacher; Joe was a well-known angler, known as “Catfish.” Beth Siegfried, Senior Center director, told the Augustyns, “Your mom was an awesome volunteer (at the Senior Center), and lots of us had Joe as a teacher. It’s nice to have a tree in their honor.” Joe died May 17, 2002; Maribeth died May 21, 2016. Amy Seiler of Gering, the Nebraska Forest Service community forestry specialist who attended the ceremony, said that in addition to the practical benefits of trees, they can be planted as wonderful memorials to a community’s citizens who give generously of themselves. Peggy said that she and her siblings — Carol of McCook and Kathy, who attended the ceremony, as well as Mike of Maryland, Charlie of Lincoln and Sue of Idaho — will plant three more trees, on McCook’s walking trail, to honor their parents. Others attending the ceremony, in recognition also of Arbor Day 2017, were members of the McCook Tree Board, from left in the background, Cloyd Clark and Dan Dueland, and public works director Kyle Potthoff; and not shown, McCook Mayor Mike Gonzales, members of the McCook city council and Senior Center and city parks staff.

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options