Starke County, IN — A release from the Starke County Surveyor’s Office shares: The Starke County Forest hosted a successful Arbor Day Community Event on Saturday, April 25, bringing together approximately 200 residents for a day focused on conservation, history, and community engagement.
The event also served as the official kickoff to Starke County’s America 250 celebrations, marking the beginning of a series of local events leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
A highlight of the event was the planting of a Liberty Tree; a swamp white oak symbolizing reflection, unity, and hope for the next 250 years.
The ceremony included:
- The Pledge of Allegiance, led by Adaline VanDeMark
- Opening remarks by Jamie Shireman of the Ober Arbor Gleaners, who sponsored the tree
- A historical presentation by Starke County Historian Venita Cunningham, who also serves as President of the Starke County America 250 Committee
- A special recognition honoring Jamie Wacasey for his carving of a permanent Native American figure from a storm-damaged tree
- A closing prayer by Pastor Rick Martin of the Knox Church of the Nazarene
- Several members of the Ober Arbor Gleaners and the 250th committee were also in attendance for the ceremony.
The Arbor Day celebration featured a wide range of activities and participants, including local vendors and artisans offering handcrafted goods, educational exhibits from conservation and community organizations, and a live wood-carving demonstration by Wacasey’s Woodshop. There were self-guided nature scavenger hunts for children, as well as a silent auction and free plant giveaways throughout the event that supported the Starke County Parks Department and America 250 initiatives.
Participating organizations included the Friends of the Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area, Prairie Trails Club, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Starke County America 250 Committee, Ken Craig Community Garden, and Starke County Parks & Recreation.
Food and refreshments were served by the North Judson Girl Scout Troop, with food and beverages generously donated by Gwen and Justin Rentz.
Photos by Danny donated time and services to capture the event, with select images to be included in a future community time capsule.
The success of the Arbor Day event was made possible through the leadership and dedication of Gwen Rentz, who served as Chair of the event. Rentz devoted significant time and effort to organizing the day, driven by her passion for the outdoors and her commitment to connecting the community with the many natural resources and hidden gems that make Starke County unique.
A Starke County America 250 guest registry was introduced at the event and will continue to be used at future celebrations. A total of 146 signatures were collected, with additional attendees present who did not formally sign in.
Organizers estimate that approximately 200 individuals attended the event. Notably, several attendees shared that they were previously unaware of the Starke County Forest, highlighting the importance of community outreach and engagement.
The Arbor Day event marks the beginning of a broader series of community activities planned throughout Starke County in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.
Organizers expressed appreciation to the many volunteers, vendors, and community partners who contributed to the success of the Arbor Day event and encouraged residents to participate in upcoming celebrations.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped in one way or another to make this event a success—whether it was donating their time, contributing silent auction items, providing the tree, or participating as a vendor. I also want to thank everyone who attended and showed their support. It was incredible to see the community come together, and I truly appreciate everyone who played a part.” — Gwen Rentz
The next upcoming event by the Starke County America 250 Committee will be a free Tea Party reenactment at Bass Lake Beach on May 9th. Information can be found here.
