Middletown to Mark Earth Day and Arbor Day With Community Tree Plantings

The Town of Middletown is inviting residents to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with two special tree planting events that honor local history and community impact.

Town leaders say the events are part of a larger effort to grow Middletown’s tree canopy and invest in a healthier environment. Over the past few years, nearly 60 trees have been planted in public spaces, supported in part by grants from the Virginia Department of Forestry.

“These plantings reflect our long-term commitment to a greener, healthier community with more diverse, native species,” Mayor Charles Harbaugh IV said. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and grateful for the partnerships that help make it possible.”

Community members will gather on Main Street near the Daily Buzz Cafe on April 22 for Middletown’s Earth Day tree planting, honoring Mt. Olive Baptist Church and Pastor Raymond Morton Jr. for their leadership in restoring one of the town’s oldest historic buildings.

The first event will take place on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 at 3 p.m. on Main Street near the Daily Buzz Cafe. A tree will be planted in honor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and Pastor Raymond Morton Jr. for their role in restoring one of Middletown’s most historic buildings.

Next to the current church stands a small structure built in 1818, believed to be the first church in town. It was first used by white Methodist congregations before being passed to African American Methodists, who worshipped there for years. After decades of uncertainty, the building was restored in 2024, preserving an important part of Middletown’s shared history.

Town officials say the recognition is a way to thank the church and its congregation for protecting a landmark that connects generations.

Members will gather near the Veterans Memorial on Main Street on April 24 for Middletown’s Arbor Day tree planting, honoring NBC4 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts for her achievements and ties to the local community.

The second ceremony will be held on Friday, April 24, at 3 p.m. near the Veterans Memorial on Main Street. This Arbor Day planting will honor NBC4 meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts, who has ties to the Middletown area.

Ricketts, part of Storm Team 4 and a contributor to WTOP radio, has built a career in weather forecasting after first discovering her passion for science as a child. She studied at Randolph-Macon College and is now a familiar face for viewers across the region.

Town officials say recognizing Ricketts highlights both her achievements and her connection to the local community.

Both trees were provided by Boyer Landscaping of White Post, with guidance from owner Lew Boyer.

Residents, families, and community groups are encouraged to attend both events. Town leaders say the plantings are about more than adding greenery—they are meant to celebrate shared roots and the people who help Middletown grow.