Gonzales, LA – On Friday, January 15, the Gonzales Garden Club planted and donated a Natchez Crepe Myrtle to the City of Gonzales Police Department. The tree, when grown, will bloom white flowers and display a beautiful cinnamon bark.
A ceremony was held at the City of Gonzales Police Department to recognize the gift, with members of the garden club, their families and City of Gonzales Chief of Police Sherman Jackson and Mayor Barney Arceneaux in attendance.
“I’m always so touched when the Gonzales Garden Club plants and donates trees to this department,” said Chief Jackson. “Not only do they bring life to the area, but they beautify it. This Crepe Myrtle is a special tree for me personally as they were my grandmother’s favorite. In her honor, I’ll be naming this tree Alice, and will cherish watching it grow.”
Pricilla Monson, Gonzales Garden Club President began the ceremony with opening remarks, followed by a beautiful Invocation by the Reverend Harry “Peter” Harrington. Harrington spoke of the life that stems from trees and their significance in sustainability.
Cairman Loretta Ramirez presented the tree to Chief Jackson, with both Jackson and Arceneaux thanking the group.
Cathy Venable read a poem entitled ‘What Do We Plant When We Plant The Tree,” by Henry Abbey, which was both beautiful and apt for the day’s event.
“What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the ship which will cross the sea.
We plant the mast to carry the sails. We plant the planks to withstand the gales.
The keel, the keelson and the beam and knee We plant the ship when we plant the tree.
What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the house for you and me.
We plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors. We plant the studding, the lath, the doors.
The beams and siding, all parts that be. We plant the house when we plant the tree.
What do we plant when we plant the tree? A thousand things that we daily see.
We plant the spire that out-towers the crag. We plant the staff for our country’s flag.
We plant the shade form the hot sun free. We plant all these when we plant the tree.”
The event ended with a thank you form Co-Chairman Mabel Savoy and a reading by Gonzales Garden Club member Kat Hightower.
“So many people will have the opportunity to see this and the other tress the Gonzales Garden Club has planted, and will continue to plant at our police station,” said Chief Jackson. “On behalf of all of us here, I thank you for bringing such beauty to our home away from home.”
