Neither threat of rain nor chilly temperatures would keep Herndon Harbor House from observing Virginia's Arbor Day, last Friday, with the planting of a White Oak tree in its courtyard.
"This was very appropriate — just beautiful. I love Arbor Day and what it means," said one-year Harbor House resident Mae Ferraro from Erie, Penn.
"We're indoors because we have no control of the weather," said Sharron Dreyer, director of senior housing and services with the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development. "This is a special day — a tree planting on Arbor Day in honor of you, the residents of Harbor House. The tree buds are a symbol of the renewal of life," she said.
"The residents have made such a difference in this town," said Vi Bateman, president of Herndon Harbor House, Inc., as she thanked both the Town of Herndon and Fairfax County for contributing the land that became Harbor House.
Following Bateman's comments, Harbor House resident Katerina Guro, a native of Moscow, Russia and a retired opera singer sang God Bless America. After singing, she claimed her English "is not so good," but said "America is the best country in the world," loud and clear to the applause of the more than 70 in attendance.
"That was a stirring production by our soloist, that's hard to follow," said Ronald F. Christian, vice chairman of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority. "Arbor Day and the planting of a tree, for me growing up in the midwest, was an important day. Schools took time off to plant trees in their communities. We've lost some of that today — time to pause," said Christian, pastor of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon.
"I'm reminded of the answer Martin Luther gave when asked what he would do if he knew the world would end today. 'Go out and plant a tree,'" said Christian. "There's nothing finer than to plant a tree. It's appropriate to honor you folks and the future that comes after us," he said.
"This was a wonderful event," said six-month Harbor House resident Beverly Whitenack, from Sunset Beach, N.C. "Planting trees is very important. I loved the music and the enthusiasm. There's a lot of energy here."