Gardening instruction

The Master Gardener Volunteer training will begin Feb. 7 for residents of Miami and surrounding counties and continue every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 11.

The sessions will be held at the Ohio State University Extension Office, 201 W. Main St., Troy, in the county Courthouse. The cost is $150 and applications are due Dec. 21. Applications are available at go.osu.edu/miamimgv2019 or by calling 937-440-3945.

The program provides instruction in horticulture for those of any skill level who then volunteer assisting with educational programs and activities through the local extension offices. NANCY BOWMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER Troy Public Square as the community Christmas tree.

The seedling was received by Chris King when he was in third grade at Kyle Elementary School. He planted it in the front yard of his grandparents — the Fred Youngs — on Cornish Road in the Westbrook subdivision, where it grew into a 41-foot Blue Spruce.

King said his grandmother placed a fence around the tree to protect it when it was small and his grandfather patiently mowed around it. His grandmother is now deceased.

The tree was selected as the community Christmas tree, cut down Thursday and placed in the center of the Public Square. It will be decorated in preparation for the annual Grand Illumination events scheduled downtown Nov. 23.

NANCY BOWMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER