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The Legacy Tree Program was created in 2005 as a partnership between the Morristown Tree Board and Keep Morristown-Hamblen Beautiful to increase the city’s urban tree canopy by placing trees in public places such as parks, city facilities or along the Greenway.

Trees can be donated in honor or memory of a special person or group. Legacy Trees are planted, marked and maintained by the Morristown Tree Board, Public Works and Parks and Recreation.

There are more than 80 Legacy Trees planted around the city. All city trees are cared for and maintained by city crews, but donors are encouraged to take a special interest in their trees and to notify the Tree Board if they have any concerns about the health and condition of their trees.

Rose Center Council for the Arts has recently been presented two Legacy trees in honor of and in memory of two longtime supporters.

On April 14, Tree Board and KMHB representatives were on hand for the planting of a tree in memory of the late Lynn Newma.

Several of Newman’s friends and those whose lives she impacted within the community were present.

Newman, who passed away in February of 2022, was a founding member of the Girls Inc. of Hamblen County and the Morristown Senior Citizens Center.

She also served on the Rose Service Guild and was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Organization of Women Educators.

She taught in the Morristown and Hamblen County School Systems for 40 years and kept in contact with many of her students through the years.

Her friends remembered her as a kind woman, who dedicated her life to improving the community.

“I have known Lynn for more than 18 years and she is the most loving, giving and generous person I had the gift of knowing,” Judy Anglin said. “She served as the Rose Center Guild President for many years and boy did she keep us in line. She knew Robert’s Rules and helped us stay organized.”

Anglin recalled how Newman helped found Girls Inc. and how she enjoyed working with the organization.

“She was one of the most beautiful people. She was so intelligent and instrumental in organizing Girls Inc.,” Anglin said. “She loved riding the bus as a bus monitor; she loved riding with the girls and talking to them on their way to the club.”

Anglin remembered how Newman stayed strong even in the midst of battling cancer.

“Patsy and I went with her during her cancer treatments and she was never a crybaby or felt sorry for herself. She was such a strong woman who never once complained.”

More members of the community remember how much of an impact Newman had on Morristown.

“She had a strong legacy as a teacher,” Patsy Gosnell said. “She touched many young lives in Hamblen County, and this county was blessed to have her teaching our children.”

“Lynn was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to helping others and bettering her community,” said Beccy Hamm, Rose Center Director. “She helped the Rose Center so much and we were really grateful to have her in our community.”

The tree was placed in the back garden at Rose Center, a plaque with Newman’s name is located in front of the tree.

On April 17, Tree Board and KMHB representatives, along with board members and supporters of Rose Center Council for the Arts planted a Legacy tree in honor of Robert “Bob” J. Spirko.

The tree is an Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry tree and is planted in a place of honor in the herb garden.

Spirko is a long-time Rose Center supporter and volunteer as well as a fellow artist. He wasn’t well enough to attend the dedication himself, but his three sons, Rob, Mike, and Nick who have followed in their father’s footsteps pursuing careers in the arts, proudly attended on his behalf.

The dedication, which was recorded to enable Spirko to watch, was well attended. It was easy to see that he is deeply loved and highly regarded among the art community as dozens gathered to honor their friend and offer up fond memories and words of encouragement.

Rose Center Executive Director, Beccy Hamm led the dedication and elaborated on her choice of a serviceberry tree. Hamm said she chose this classification of tree because, “Bob exemplified service.” The tree was planted in the herb garden that Spirko was fond of harvesting herbs out of to use for his cooking.

Spirko, who graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in fine arts in 1968, has worn many hats for the Rose Center.

He has been an advisor to every director, and has helped with events such as Mountain Makins. He also taught classes, organized and preserved archives, and was a part of programs such as Morristown Art Association as well as From Africa to Appalachia. He has also often been asked to create his beautiful collages and centerpieces to display at art shows and receptions.

As the volunteer curator at the former school that now serves as an arts, culture and education center, Spirko has designed and re-designed every nook and cranny at the city landmark. He has been called upon over the years to assist with décor at community celebrations has vendored his unique works at fundraisers like Spring Thyme in the Garden.

For more than 30 years he owned and operated a professional art studio and a commercial art and antique gallery, Aesthetic Expressions, and worked out of a studio in his home.

For 20 years he taught art classes in the Hamblen County School System.

For more information on the Legacy Tree Program, please call 423-585-1830.