In keeping with the Village's motto of "Community and Nature in Harmony", on January 8, 2008 the Village Board proclaimed April 26, 2008 as Earth Day/Arbor Day.
This was an opportunity for the Village to gather as a community to celebrate and actively preserve our environment.
Earth Day Arbor Day Recap
Homer Glen Earth Day Arbor Day Sign
(Photo courtesy of Sharon Sweas)
Village of Homer Glen Earth Day Arbor Day Celebration
April 26, 2008
The Village of Homer Glen’s first annual Earth Day Arbor Day Celebration held on April 26, 2008 was a huge success. Support from the community has been very positive. The celebration gave people of all ages the opportunity to collect useful information and to apply what they learned to save energy and reduce expenses on a daily basis.
More than 50 exhibitors greeted over 400 enthusiastic visitors and shared eco-friendly information. They entertained and delighted children with exhibits of live animals, birds, and reptiles. It was a time of sharing knowledge and raising environmental awareness to protect our natural resources for future generations.
Parents attending with children remarked that the day provided an enjoyable way for future generations to learn about taking care of their own special place in the world. The education of children encourages respect for and protection of the natural environment as adults.
Homer Glen, founded on the Mission Statement of “Community and Nature in Harmony”, has continued its roots as a volunteer based community. The Village is fortunate to have residents who gave so generously of their time and contributed in many valuable ways to the success of the event.
The Homer Glen Environment Committee organized and coordinated the Earth Day Arbor Day Celebration with extensive planning over a seven week period. In addition, contributing to the success of the event, the Environment Committee enlisted generous support and services from the following sectors of the community: First Community Bank, Homer Township Administration, Homer Township Chamber of Commerce, Homer Township Road District, Homer Township Fire Protection District, Portable John, Will County Sheriff’s Police, Will County School District 92, Homer Glen Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Village Staff, Village Board and Mr. HG-“Tree-riffic” Tree, Clay Hosh (husband of Village Manager, Paula Wallrich).
Contributions were received from Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc., M & D Farms, Morton Arboretum, Natural Direct, Pelican Harry’s Inc., and Roger Ross. Food and beverages were provided by Chesdan’s Pizzeria & Grille and Homer Athletic Club (HAC).
Environment Committee members are: Robert Gatz, Randy Juras, Marlene Korso, Kathy Kudla, Bob Moses, Debbie Norvil, Parnell O’Brien, Cynthia Rataj, Roger Ross, Cloyd Selby, Sue Steilen, Sharon Sweas, and Chairman Margaret Sabo.
Displays, Activities, Services, Acknowledgements
Exhibits and Displays - Inside
- Ace Hardware Will-Cook
- Chicago’s Wild Quaker Parakeets
- Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (CARE)
- Dioramas – Geology, Ecology: Settlement 4500 Years Ago
- Environmental Service Organization
- Find H. G. the “Talking Tree”
- Forest Preserve of Will County
- Goodings Grove Lions Club
- Greater Chicago Ferret Association
- Holistic Moms
- Homer Community School District 33C Fifth Grade Class
- Homer Founders Club
- Homer Glen Environment Committee
- Clean Air Counts;
- Leave No Child Inside;
- Disappearing Birds;
- Community and Nature in Harmony Awards
- Homer Glen Foundation
- Homer Glen Parks and Recreation Committee
- Homer Glen Public Service and Safety Committee
- Homer Township Public Library
- Homer Township Republican Organization
- Homer Township Trantina Living History Farm
- Humane Voters of Homer Glen
- Illinois Arborist Association
- Illinois Extension Service
- International Dark Skies Association
- Kathy Sahs Farm
- La Leche League
- Life of a Honey Bee
- Long Run Creek Watershed Committee
- Lower Des Plaines Ecosystem Partnership
- Morton Arboretum
- Northwest Homer Fire Protection District
- NuWay Disposal Service
- Pilcher Park Nature Center
- Political Youth Action Committee (PYAC)
- Tender Loving Care Animal Shelter (TLC)
- TMT E-motion
- U.S. Green Building Council – Chicago Chapter
- Will County Recycling
Exhibits and Activities - Outside
- 1911 Stanley Steamer
- 1930 Ford Model A
- 1931 Ford Model A Coupe
- 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Woody
- 1956 Ford
- 1957 Ford Thunderbird
- 1957 Willys
- 1972 Fire Truck Seagraves Pumper
- 1994 Saturn converted to plug-in electric
- 2007 Toyota Prius
- Homer Glen Emergency Management Association (EMA)v
- Homer Township Fire Department Tanker
- Homer Township Public Library Book Mobile
- Hybrid Delivery Truck
Food Vendors
- Chesdan’s Pizzeria & Grille
- Homer Athletic Club (HAC)
Service Providers
- First American Bank
- Homer Glen Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
- Homer Township Administration
- Homer Township Chamber of Commerce
- Homer Township Fire Department
- Homer Township Highway Department
- Portable John
- Will County School District 92
- Will County Sheriff’s Police
Generous Donors
- Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc.
- M & D Farms
- Morton Arboretum
- Natural Direct
- Pelican Harry’s Inc.
- Roger Ross
Special Interest Areas
- Animals
- Animal Rescue
- Bees
- Birds
- Children & the Environment
- Children’s Activities
- Clean Air
- Community & Nature in Harmony Awards
- Composting
- Earth Hour and Energy Saving
- Electric Bikes
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Energy Saving Vehicles
- Farming
- Ferret Rescue
- Fire Prevention
- Fire Truck Water Pumping Demo: Noon & 1:30 p.m.
- Forest Preserves in the Homer Community
- Green Products
- Healing Garden
- Healthy Living
- Homer Township 1892 - 1898
- Light Pollution
- Living History Farm
- Master Gardening
- Natural Resources
- Not For Profit Organizations
- Open Space
- Preservation and Conservation
- Recycled Books
- Recycling
- Restored Vehicles
- Reptiles
- Story Telling 11 am & 1 pm
- “Talk to a Tree”
- Trails and Parks
- Tree Care & Planting
- Water Resources
Photo Galleries
The Homer Glen Environment Committee organized and coordinated the Earth Day Arbor Day Celebration. Many photos were taken of the event. Please browse the four photo galleries linked below.
Homer Glen Environment Committee
(Photo courtesy of Sharon Sweas)
Photo Gallery 1 - Joe Rodriguez, Photographer
Photo Gallery 2 - Randy Juras, Photographer
Archives
Earth Day / Arbor Day Celebration - Homer Glen
Saturday - April 26, 2008
10 a.m. TO 2 p.m.
Homer Township Highway Department
14400 W. 151st Street
(Between Parker Road and Creme Road)
Homer Glen
Homer Glen Earth Day Arbor Day Celebration Poster
Celebrate the Earth at the first “Homer Glen Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration” on Saturday, April 26th, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bring the family and check out the environmentally friendly groups and businesses in the Homer Glen and Homer Township area. The event will be held at the Homer Township Highway Department located at 14400 W. 151st Street east of Crème Road on the north side of the street.
Exhibits and activities will take place both inside and outside, rain or shine. The community has responded with enthusiasm to share a variety of ideas, products, and information pertaining to the theme of the day which makes us aware of the valuable resources of our area.
There will be two antique fire trucks with pumping demonstrations at noon and 1:30 pm, antique cars, energy saving vehicles, energy saving displays, a book sale, story telling at 11 am and 1 pm, animals, animal rescue agencies, a red-tailed hawk, reptiles, and exhibits on local flora and fauna. Many fun and interactive activities for the children!
Please bring recycling items. Bins are available to collect used eye glasses, ink cartridges, hearing aides, household batteries, pop can tabs, cell phones, all types of re-usable shoes and gym shoes in any shape. The shoes must be tied or rubber banded together. Take a sugar maple tree seedling home to plant. Environmentally safe products will also be on display including some handcrafted items that will illustrate the beauty of recycled wood from local Homer Glen tree stock. Bird houses will also be available. Make sure that the kids get to see HG the "Talking Tree". Please bring a bag from home to hold your Earth Day treasures.
Generous donations have been provided by Bret-Mar Landscaping, M & D Farms and Pelican Harry's. There is something for the entire family at the Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration. Food and beverages will be available. Don't miss this exciting event - the first of its kind for Homer Glen!