Friday the City of Covington and Newton County as well as the city of Oxford will hold Arbor Day ceremonies and plantings like many other municipalities in the state.

Snapping Shoals EMC and Mansfield Elementary School will receive awards at the Covington/Newton County celebration at 11 a.m. at Turner Lake Park for their efforts to conserve and plant trees over the past year.

Trees are a life-giving organism in that they provide oxygen and fruit. They make shade not only providing respite, but also decreasing home and business utility costs. Forests act as buffers from pollution entering our precious water supply. They also offer a source of beauty which has inspired every generation of artists and thinkers.

The Service Guild of Covington again has graciously sponsored several hundred seedlings to be dispersed at no cost by Georgia Forestry representatives at the Covington/Newton County and Oxford events.

We encourage all of you to consider planting a tree this Arbor Day, as February is the perfect time to plant trees in Georgia.

A tree planted today is a gesture toward the well being of future generations.