Members of St. David's kindergarten classes recited lines from Shel Silverstein's famous book, "The Giving Tree," during Arbor Day ceremonies last Friday.

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Lou Hendley, known to St. David's students since 1976 as Miss Lou, helps water the maple tree that was planted in her honor, along with a couple of students and Scott Laney, head of grounds and maintenance for the Cheraw Recreation Leisure Services.

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Lou Hendley said she hoped the tree planted in her honor would live as long as she has.

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A small crowd gathered at St. David's School last Friday morning to celebrate Arbor Day.

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The Town of Cheraw celebrated Arbor Day last Friday by planting a tree in honor of Lou Hendley, who has been the music teacher at St. David’s School since 1976.

“I’ve been a tree hugger for a long time, but I’ve never had a tree planted in my honor. Thank you,” said Hendley.

The tree, a Trident Maple, was planted between the sidewalk and Market Street in front of the playground at St. David’s School. “I hope it will live as long as I have,” said Hendley.

The kindergarten students of St. David’s were in charge of the Arbor Day ceremonies, which included the reading of Shel Silverstein’s book “The Giving Tree.”

Scott Laney, director of grounds and maintenance for the Town of Cheraw, who has participated in the town’s celebration of Arbor Day for 28 years, said, “There’s nothing like children to remind us of what’s important.”

“Cheraw’s government and community leaders have a long standing commitment to our trees,” said Laney, as Cheraw was the first town in South Carolina to be named a Tree City USA. That effort, he said, was initiated years ago by the late “Ms. Martha Duvall, affectionately known as the Tree Lady.”

Anyone wishing to plant a tree in town, in honor or memory of someone, should contact Cheraw Recreation and Leisure Services at 843-537-8420.

— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, or by email at kkissiah@heartlandpublications.com.