On November 20, 2015, members of the Brillhart family, West Unity community members, and West Unity Village employees met at Memorial Park to hear a proclamation given by Mayor Peggy Bernath which outlined the history of Arbor Day, gave several benefits related to the planting of trees, and expressed the commitment of the Village of West Unity to continue its tree planting ways that have led them to be recognized as a Tree City of USA. The mayor concluded by urging all residents to follow suit. “Now therefore, I, Peggy L. Bernath, Mayor of the Village of West Unity, Ohio, do hereby urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and to support our village’s urban forestry program, and further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of the present and future generations,” the mayor said. The proclamation was read in conjunction with a planting of a Fat Albert Blue Spruce tree donated to the Village by the Brillhart family in honor of Merle Brillhart. Members on the family on hand to take part in the dedication and proclamation included, from left, Jean Brillhart, Leslie Wilson, Tyler Schudel, Lori Schudel, Craig Brillhart, Brad Schudel, Randy Coles, Janette Coles and Pauline Brillhart.
