Remembering our roots

Oshawa seniors, do you have a special memory of how a particular tree or trees impacted your life? The city would love to hear from you.

The city’s environmental advisory committee (OEAC), alongside Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres and Veridian Connections, has launched the Memories of Trees contest, a new contest for Oshawa residents 55 years of age and up to share their roots.

Contest participants are asked to express their story “creatively through a variety of mediums including prose or poetry, photos, videos, paintings or sculpture,” according to a news release.

“As a Boy Scout, many years ago, our 9th Troop planted trees at Camp Samac. These trees are enjoyed by everyone who visits Camp Samac,” states Councillor John Aker, chair of the development services committee, in a news release.

“All of us should take any opportunity to plant trees so that they can enhance our environment.”

Contest submissions need to include the entrants’ name, contact information and a description of the work. Submissions can be emailed to treecontest@oshawa.ca or dropped off during regular business hours at any Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres branch or at Service Oshawa, located at city hall until Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m.

The winner will have a tree planted in his or her honour at the OEAC’s annual tree planting event on Sept. 24.

For more information, please call (905) 436-3311, or visit oshawa.ca/residents/get-involved.asp.