A worker taking down the dying copper beech tree at Perkins Stone Mansion found a sweet surprise: a 57-year-old love note carved high in the canopy.
The crew member from the Davey Tree Expert Co. discovered the carving last week while removing limbs from the landmark tree. The beech’s growth has stretched the letters, but they appear to spell either “I.C. loves P.C.” or “J.C. loves P.C.” and are accompanied by the year, ’55.
The sentiment was found 30 or 40 feet off the ground — exactly where it would have been carved all those years ago, city arborist Bill Hahn said. Apparently some love-struck daredevil scaled the tree, sat in the crotch where a limb met the trunk and carved evidence of his ardor.
Even though the tree is believed to date to around 1837, the carving must be from the 20th century. The tree wouldn’t have been big enough by 1855 for someone to carve it at that height.
Tree carving is frowned upon because it can harm a tree’s ability to take up water and nutrients, but the folks at the Summit County Historical Society are understandably smitten by the discovery of a message so far up in their beloved beech. The society, which operates Perkins Stone Mansion, saved the carved section and plans to put it on display eventually, Executive Director Leianne Neff Heppner said.
She’s hoping someone will ’fess up to the carving. “We would just be tickled to death to hear somebody’s love story,” she said.
The tree is being removed in stages. The lower part has been left in place so the tree can be cloned, Heppner said, but eventually it will all come down.
Holiday lights hotline
Don’t make yourself crazy over Christmas lights that won’t work. Make a phone call instead.
Ulta-Lit Technologies is sponsoring its Holiday Lighting Hotline from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve. Representatives will help diagnose and repair problems with pre-lighted trees, indoor/outdoor lights and lighted yard ornaments.
The toll-free number is 888-858-2548. Ulta-Lit also has helpful information on its website, www.ultalit.com.
Finer tapped for AAAS
John Finer, a plant scientist at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster Township, has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Finer is a professor in Ohio State University’s Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. He was recognized for his genetics work on crop plants.
Events, programs
• Holiday tours, 1-4 p.m. today and Dec. 22, Perkins Stone Mansion, 550 Copley Road, Akron. $6, seniors $4, students $2, members free. www.summithistory.org.
• Knitty Gritters, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Lake Community Branch of Stark County District Library, 11955 Market Ave. N, Lake Township. Instructions for beginning knitters. 330-877-9975.
• Gardeners of Greater Akron meeting, Monday evening, St. George Fellowship Centre, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Copley Township. Social hour starts at 5:30, dinner at 6:30. Program: music by Miller South School students. Cost: $13. Reservations: 330-336-6269. Information: 330-673-3553 or www.ohiogardeners.org.
• Knitting and Crocheting Circle, 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road. Registration: 330-273-4150.
• Needlework Circle meeting, 6 p.m. Thursdays, Seville Library, North Center Street. 330-769-2852.
• Knitting and Crocheting Circle, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 22, Highland Library, 4160 Ridge Road, Granger Township, Medina County. Learn the basics or bring your projects and swap tips. Registration: 330-278-4271 or 330-239-2674.
• Holiday Memories, through Dec. 30, Hower House, 60 Fir Hill, Akron. Victorian mansion is decorated to reflect memories of holidays past. Self-guided tours noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays; guided and group tours by appointment. Closed Dec. 24-26. $8; 65 and older $6; students $2; children 6 and younger free with adult. 330-972-6909 or www.uakron.edu/howerhse.
• Deck the Hall, 5-8 nightly through Dec. 30, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. Music-theme holiday decorations in the Manor House, lighted grounds, entertainment and visits with Mr. Jingeling. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Members, $13.50 for adults and $5.50 for youth; others, $17 for adults and $7 for youth. 5 and younger admitted free. Tickets available at the door or in advance at 330-836-5533 or www.stanhywet.org.
• Glow, through Dec. 31, Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Holiday plantings, trees and decorations, along with entertainment, a gingerbread house display and a Garden Express train ride. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. $12, children 3 to 12 $6.50, members and younger children free. 216-721-1600 or www.cbgarden.org.
Submit notices of classes, programs and events two weeks in advance to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com or Home and Garden News, Features Department, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640. Please include name and phone number. All events must be open to the public.
Mary Beth Breckenridge can be reached at 330-996-3756 or mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. You can also become a fan on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/mbbreck, follow her on Twitter @MBBreckenridge and read her blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/mary-beth.