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Page 10 August 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

C o m m u n i t y news

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Town Continues Work to Save Ash Eugene Zacharias Celebrates 100
Trees Birthday

James Rada, Jr. On Saturday, May 20, Courtesy Photo
2017, family and friends
Work is ongoing to try and save originally expected. “A lot of the gathered to help Eugene
as many of the Community Park other trees are still hanging in there Zacharias (pictured right)
ash trees as possible. The trees were pretty good, which really amazed celebrate his 100 birthday.
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damaged by the emerald ash borer. me because of the mortality on “Zach” was born on May
The town was able to get good the other side of Route 15 on the 18, 1917, just outside of
pricing on the preservation of the mountains,” Klimas said. Emmitsburg, and lived there
trees, because the town piggybacked However, he pointed out that until he joined the U.S.
on other contracts for other the trees will soon start dying. The Marine Corps in early 1935.
municipalities. town has a six-month window once He served in the Marine
Last year, the Maryland the trees start dying to remove Corps for over twenty years,
Department of Natural Resources the trees with climbers, rather rising to the rank of Master
identified 270 ash trees in the park. than removing them with more- Sergeant. After he retired
Of this amount 74 were determined expensive means. So far, 48 trees from the Marines, he went
to be “hazard trees” due to the have been removed. on to have a successful
damage that was caused to them by Treatment will also be expanded career with RCA. He has
the emerald ash borer. to another 73 trees that can be been married to Anna Kugler
“It’s not the feeding on the leaves treated and possibly saved. These Zaracharias since 1949,
by the adults that damage and kill trees will need to be retreated in and has two daughters,
the trees, it’s the egg-laying process 2019. two grandchildren, and one
and then the nymphs when they Some trees will eventually need great-granddaughter.
hatch and they’re feeding under the to be removed, but treatment also He is an around-the-
bark and cambium tissue,” said Chris helps with these trees by delaying world traveler and is still an
Klimas, with the Davy Tree Expert their deaths. This will allow the avid reader. He also enjoys
Company. The damaged trees can’t town time to spread out the costs of jigsaw puzzles. For years, he was a collector of antique and children’s sewing
get enough water to replace what removing the trees. machines and was considered so knowledgeable that he was invited to give
they lose due to evaporation, and so Klimas also recommended that talks on the subject.
they die. the replanting of the lost trees start Zach is a Life Member of VFW Post 6658 of Emmitsburg, and his wife,
Not all of the hazard trees need this fall. It was pointed out that the Genevieve, is a Charter and Life Member of 6658 Post Auxiliary.
to be removed. Forty-four trees were town has already replanted 75 trees Zach’s party was held at Oakcrest Village, the retirement center just
initially recommended for treatment, in the park. outside of Baltimore, where he has lived since late 2015. In addition to the
which involves injecting trees with “I would definitely go with very well wishes of friends and family, Zach was remembered with a card or letter
Arbormectin. It takes about three diverse species,” Klimas suggested. from Maryland’s Governor Hogan; Senator Cardin; Senator Ruppersberger;
days to disburse through the tree and Some of the species he suggested the Commandant of the USMC; and Brooks Robinson, the great Oriole third
will protect it for two years. Klimas include red oak, pin oak, maple, baseman who shares a birthday with him. A third-year midshipman from the
said that the 44 trees that were treated and tulip poplar. He said that two- U.S. Naval Academy was also on hand to congratulate Zach and thank him for
are “looking very good.” They won’t inch to four-inch diameter trunks his service.
need to be reinjected in 2018. would probably be the best size, Attending the party were Post 6658 Life Member, Tom Hoke, and his
Some trees still need to be because these smaller trees survive daughter, Becky, Auxiliary Post 6658 Member and Gloria Bauerline, Charter
removed, but far fewer than transplant shock better. and Life Member Post 6658 Auxiliary.

Note
Time Changes ANNUAL
BIG PICNIC

Mount Tabor Park

• Rocky Ridge, MD •
August 12th, 2017 • 3-9pm

Baby Show 4PM (Registration starts at 3pm)
Music by River Bend Band 6PM-9PM
Fried Ham Sandwiches
Soup • Ice Cream