Those of us who maintain and care for the Quitman Arboretum are excited to welcome our friends and neighbors who have been subscribers of the Mineola Monitor. This column has been appearing bimonthly to keep the Wood County community informed of what we have done, what we are presently doing and what our plans are for the future of the Stinson House and the Quitman Arboretum.

A group of hardworking volunteers meets every Wednesday at the back of Hogg Park in Quitman to tend the gardens, work on the restoration of the Stinson House, visit and give guided tours of the house and property to those who stop by with a passing interest.

We invite you to join us! New faces turn into good friends as we work and plan together. No prior experience is necessary - just a feeling of pride to be living in such a beautiful corner of this incredible state and an interest in giving back to the community.

The City of Quitman leased the 23 acres of property and the Stinson House to the Friends of the Arboretum a few years back. Hard work and determination have resulted in a beautiful venue for Wood County residents to enjoy. We also have guests who are passing through our “neck of the woods” stopping to admire this historical spot.

Many activities are planned for the fall of 2016. We will share these with you as the month of August draws to a close. Thanks for taking the time to read this article and we look forward to your readership in the future.