FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant, City Horticulturist and Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler, the Fairhope Tree Committee and 20 members of the Fairhope High School Classes of 1953, 1954 and 1956, honored three retired educators with centennial trees.

Centennial trees honoring Earl R. Hilyer, George R. Merlini, and Mary Nelle Avary were planted at the Fairhoper’s Community Park on Church Street. The Community Park was their school playground until the Class of 1954 graduated from the new Fairhope High School (now Fairhope Middle School) on North Section Street.

Hilyer taught algebra and geometry and was an assistant coach He later became principal of the high school.

Merlini taught Spanish and later became principal of the elementary school. Avary taught high school English.

According to their former students, they all loved kids and were wonderful teachers and participated fully in extra-curricular activities. Avary died some years ago; Hilyer still lives in Fairhope, while Merlini lives in Spanish Fort.

Sand live oaks were planted in honor of Hilyer and Merlini. These trees are long-lived native trees that grow 20-30 feet tall and 20-40 feet wide and should be here at Fairhope’s next centennial. A Swamp-chestnut oak was planted in memory of Avary. It is also a long-lived native tree and should grow 50-80 feet tall.

The initial Fairhope centennial tree plantings were at the Marietta Johnson Organic School and sponsored by Green’s Nurseries and Landscaping. The Knoll Park plantings were sponsored by the Fairhope Single Tax Corp., the Wisteria Garden Club and the Knoll Park Restoration Committee.

Plantings will continue this year at parks and campuses and along streets in Fairhope. For information on how to plant a centennial tree in honor or in memory of someone, call Fidler at 928-8003, or download a form from the city Web site at: www.cofairhope, click on “public works” on the sidebar and go to the horticulture page. Forms are also available at City Hall, the James P. Nix Center, the City Warehouse and the Fairhope Public Library.