Shelley tree committee celebrates the 20th Anniversary as tree city USA

June 12, 2021 Jeff Kelley

SHELLEY â€“ The city of Shelley Tree Committee celebrated its 20th Arbor Day by planting two trees in honor of Zebbie Miller and Kylee Sorenson, who passed away.

Mayor Stacey Pascoe reads Arbor Day proclamation at Shelley’s 20th Anniversary of being a “Tree City USA” community.

The Shelley tree committee celebrated its 20th Arbor Day as a “tree city USA,” on June 11, at Curtis Brinkman Park.

Miller passed away suddenly on March 15, 2021. He spent nearly half his life as a vocational and agricultural teacher at Shelley High School. He was a positive influence on many young people’s lives.

“No one had a greater influence on me and many, many others than Zebbie Miller,” Mayor Stacey Pascoe said.

Kylee Sorenson was a junior at Shelley High School when she passed away from a sudden illness on July 19, 2018. She excelled at FFA and showed horses.

“I have no doubt Kylee and Zebbie have located one another in Heaven and have bonded over Shelley FFA and horse judging. I know they are up there having a great time,” tree committee chairperson Robyn Longhurst said.

The two trees planted are Celebration maple trees. They were donated to the tree committee by Rocky Mountain Power, who paid $500 for them. Justin Cherry from Rocky Mountain Power helped plant the trees.

Pascoe and Councilmembers Earl Beattie and Kim Westergard were at the festivities along with members of the Miller and Sorenson families.

After the Mayor read the annual tree proclamation, members of the Miller and Sorenson family helped plant the trees. The new trees are found on the west side of the park adjacent to the fire station.