Below is the presentation Denman Glober Netherland made the day of the Friends of Brentwood Park tree planting November 6, 2010. It became part of the tree dedication section of the film We Planted 115 Trees, which documented the historic community event.
In all, 15 new trees have been dedicated in Brentwood Park.
Emily Wilson and Nancy Yelle have dedicated a tree in honor of their neighbor Ruby Josephine Airhart, who to them represents the importance of caring for the park for the future of the community. It’s really all about the kids, when it comes down to it.
Lynnette Alley has donated a tree in honor of Eugene and Evangeline Bushacker. The Bushackers were original residents of Crestview and remember this neighborhood when there were no trees.
Mr. Monte Smith, in memory of Liz Yargo Grafe, who was deeply faithful and a loving friend.
Friends and neighbors of Chris Noffsinger—Michelle Andrews and Clark Cornwell, Diane and Howard Bennett, Susan and Rob Burneson, Diane and Fernando Gorchs, Cheryl Goveia and Greg Cumpton, Billie Herron, Debora Morris, and Gregg Tatum—have donated a pecan tree in his memory. Chris grew up in the neighborhood. He was gregarious and loved by all.
Margaret Lankford has dedicated a tree in memory of her husband, L. L. Lankford. Mr. Lankford was a longtime resident of the neighborhood with his wife and family.
Ann Rayborn, in memory of her good friend and neighbor John Sundberg.
Michele and Jack Holt, who live across the street from here. Their son, Finn, is looking forward to harvesting nuts from a pecan tree that his parents have dedicated in his honor.
Darlene Hernandez, in memory of her friend Charles Peyton.
Richard and Kelli May have donated a tree in memory of their daughter Madeleine May and in honor of Alaina May, her younger sister.
Ann and Juan Shepperd, in honor of their son, Jose David Shepperd.
Susan Burneson, Michele Holt, Karen Lorenzini, and Hedrich Michaelsen have donated a tree in honor of Lynnette Alley, who has been an inspiration for them in the depth of knowledge she brings to the local gardening community.
Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle, in memory of her uncle Vernon Bruce.
Carol and Sean Ramsey, in memory of Grace Teixeira Ramsey.
The Freng Family and the Samuelson Family in memory of Milton “Pee Pop” Gebhard. “Pee Pop” became Mr. Gebhard’s nickname when the Frengs’ son couldn’t pronounce “Gebhard.” He was a great friend to both families.
Finally, the Freng Family, who donated a tree in honor of the park.
In addition, a purple martin house and three park benches have been placed in Brentwood Park in memory of the following neighbors:
Renald Ferrovecchio, 43, died in a gas explosion in his Payne Avenue home on January 9, 2012. In his memory, neighbors raised funds for a purple martin house near the eastern edge of the park. Friends of Brentwood Park coordinated the installation, and the house was dedicated April 1, 2012. A memorial bench, installed near the purple martin house, was dedicated on Renald’s birthday, October 5, 2013. Members of his family, who live out of town, attended both events.
Longtime Brentwood neighbors Sidney Paschal Shelton, 85, and his wife, Billie Jean Wier Shelton, 83, died tragically in their home on December 15, 2014. Six days later, family members, friends, and neighbors attended a ceremony honoring the Sheltons at the Brentwood Park pavilion and dedicated the annual lighting of the Arroyo Seco luminarias to their memory. Neighbors raised funds for a memorial bench honoring the Sheltons. It was installed in 2015 between the playscape and the baseball diamond in Brentwood Park. (Photo courtesy of neighbor Neal Hagood.)
David L. Sikes, a Brentwood neighbor for 45 years, was a founding member and president of the Brentwood Neighborhood Association and participated in many park projects, among other contributions to the neighborhood and beyond. David, 80, passed away October 1, 2013. His family donated funds for a memorial bench, installed September 2014 in the northeast corner of Brentwood Park.