Arbor Day Trees Honor Two Citizens for Service

Arbor Day in 2011 was extra meaningful for two Racine county families. Ken Flones, a recently retired Mount Pleasant Village Trustee and Mel Gulley, a long time member of the Caledonia Park Commission were honored today in a tree planting ceremony at Caledonia/Mount Pleasant Memorial Park. 

Arbor Day is a national yearly celebration in which people are encouraged to plant trees and learn how to maintain them. The very first Arbor Day in 1872 was founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It is reported that one million trees were planted that day. In 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April to annually be National Arbor Day.

Flones, who was an estimator for Rohner Excavating and Grading, has spent 2 decades of his life serving the Village of Mount Pleasant. He was on the Mount Pleasant Town Board for 13 years and the Village Board for seven.

When asked how he felt about today's honor, he said, “It is just wonderful.” He agreed it was much better than a trophy. And in the spirit of Arbor day he shared, “Now if I can only keep the birds from eating the cherries of my trees at home.”

Mike Andreasen, Mount Pleasant Village Administrator, gave his thanks to Flones in a short speech. 

“He cared about the people that he served. He was always putting the community before himself,” declared Andreasen, “Ken was always in the middle of the action.”

Sadly, Mel Gulley was not in attendance because he passed away only a few short months ago. His family was there, however, to honor their father, grandfather and husband. Jerry, Mel's son, and his wife, Linda, both took a shovel and posed for pictures with the memories of Mel in their hearts. 

“Dad joined the park and rec department because of his willingness to help his community and people in general. He knew he had something to offer, being in the construction business," Jerry said. “If there's one thing that I would like people to remember about him, it would be that huge golden heart of his. My sense of loss was replaced by this tremendous sense of pride for getting to be that man's kid.

Jerry added, “I was completely honored that they chose to honor my dad in this way and now whenever I drive down Highway K, I get to see that tree and it'll be just another reminder of what an awesome guy Dad was.” 

“Mel was the first person we always turned to and he was always the first one to step up to the plate when we needed donations,” said Jim, the head groundskeeper at the park, in his praises of Mel Gulley.

A plaque will eventually reside in front of each tree to honor these gentlemen for many, many years to come.