• Rotary plants a tree at Skirvin Park on Arbor Day (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Lige Weedman, left, and Mayor Chas Jones (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Philomath Rotary Club (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The city’s Lige Weedman and Rotary’s Sam Niesslein Jr. pour soil around a planted tree on Friday at Skirvin Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Rotary plants at tree at Skirvin Park on Arbor Day (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Rotary plants a tree at Skirvin Park on Arbor Day (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Pacific Power representatives were among those who spoke during Friday’s Arbor Day celebration. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Sen. Dick Anderson, left, greets Philomath Mayor Chas Jones during Friday’s Arbor Day celebration. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Chas Jones (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Chas Jones (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Chas Jones (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Benton County Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Hougen accepts a Heritage Tree certificate from Mayor Chas Jones Friday during the city’s Arbor Day celebration. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Benton County Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Hougen accepts a Heritage Tree certificate from Mayor Chas Jones Friday during the city’s Arbor Day celebration. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • The horse sculpture at Skirvin Park (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Philomath Rotary Club President Dan Dusek speaks during Friday’s Arbor Day celebration at Skirvin Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Grange Hall Road resident Carolyn Choquette accepts a Heritage Tree certificate from Mayor Chas Jones. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Philomath resident Carolyn Choquette talks about the Oregon white oak, which could be getting close to 500 years old, on her property on Grange Hall Road. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Mayor Chas Jones, left, presents a Heritage Tree certificate to Public Works Director Garry Black. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Garry Black (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Garry Black (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Philomath Frolic & Rodeo board member Brian Bailey talks during Friday’s Arbor Day celebration at Skirvin Park. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Sen. Dick Anderson (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • Sen. Dick Anderson (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
  • City Manager Chris Workman (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Brad Fuqua

Brad Fuqua, Philomath News

bradfuqua@philomathnews.com

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.