19th year of national arbor day recognition

Gatlinburg has earned Tree City USA status from the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 19th consecutive year, keeping the City among an elite group which includes just 35 of 347 cities statewide. Thursday was declared Arbor Day in the City of Gatlinburg during a program which included a music presentation by 5th-graders at Pi Beta Phi Elementary.

Leading the choir is music teacher Mike Hicks. Members of Gatlinburg's Tree Board are Jan apides, Gail Valentine, B.J. Byars, Jerry Drown and Bobby Morris.