In conjunction with National Public Lands Day, the Village established Homer Glen Lands Day by proclamation in 2001. This important day was established, in part, to recognize and encourage activities by the public that enhance and protect the natural components of the environment within the Village. The Village Proclamation for this special day states:
"The Village of Homer Glen was founded and incorporated in large part due to the desires of its citizens to preserve the unique and diverse components of the natural environment within the Village and to take steps to assist in the further protection and beautification of that environment."
The Village once again celebrated Homer Glen Lands Day in September with a Tree Planting Ceremony and with the presentation of Community and Nature in Harmony Awards.
2005 Homer Glen Lands Day Tree Planting Ceremony
On September 20, 2005 a tree planting ceremony took place at Founders Crossing Senior Housing to commemorate Homer Glen Lands Day. The planting of the tree represents one of Homer Glen's efforts in protecting and improving the natural environment of the Village. The tree planted this year is a Swamp White Oak which was planted on the west side of the senior housing area next to one of the benches overlooking Homer Township's Open Space property. This is the third year that a tree planting ceremony has taken place. The first tree planting was at the Northwest Homer Fire Station No. 2 in 2003, and the second took place at Hadley Middle School in 2004.
From left to right: Margaret Sabo, Kathy Kudla, Neeloo McAndrew, Evelyn Walano, Bud Fazio, Roger Ross, Sue Steilen, Mayor Russ Petrizzo
From left to right: Gary Ward w. dog Maggie, Joan McGowan, Neeloo McAndrew, Roger Ross, Kathy Kudla, Bernie Conboy, Charlie Neubauer, Mary Pat Degrassi, J.P. Walano, Evelyn Walano, Rosemary Koning
2005 Community and Nature in Harmony Awards
Twenty-eight Community and Nature in Harmony Awards were presented during the September 20, 2005 Village Board meeting. The award was created to recognize individuals, businesses, community organizations and governmental agencies that through the preservation, restoration, and/or beautification of land within the Village Homer Glen, have demonstrated commitment to the environment and in the process significantly contributed to community pride. This was the fourth year for the award program, which has generated much enthusiasm since its inception in 2002.
The nominations were reviewed by the Village's Environment Committee, and the following award winners were recognized:
A Touch of Green Landscaping and Garden Center Inc.
For their generous donation of an Autumn Blaze Maple tree planted at Culver Park
to commemorate the Village's fourth anniversary and the donation of landscaping
materials and installation of plants for the Village entrance signs located at
159th and Will Cook Rd. and at135th and Bell Rd.
Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church
For
the development of a sustainable environment and water management master plan
impacting water flow in Cook and Will counties, and the restoration of a prairie
reflecting the Green Vision of the Homer Glen Community.
Rick Santucci, All American Sign
For
beautifying the entrances to the Village through the design, donation, and
installation of 12 attractive signs.
Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group Inc.
For
creating a serene and attractive environment with a pond, waterfall,
patio, and terrace garden within a commercial setting.
Charlotte Brown
For providing inspiration by
beautifying her property with gardens containing native plants and sharing
gardening knowledge with other residents.
Carol and Bud Fazio
For the beautification
of their property and their outstanding work creating a variety of gardens
incorporating native plants.
Wally Fischer
For beautifying the Village
entry way through the donation of materials and labor to install lighting for
the entrance sign on Bell Road.
Kevin Garrabrant Family
For donating a 20
foot Colorado Blue Spruce for the Homer Glen Lands Day tree planting at Hadley
School in 2004 for the benefit of future generations.
Gas City - 12502 W. 143rd St. (East of Bell Road)
For providing an attractive landscape plan featuring trees, flowers and shrubs
on a commercial site.
Rick Gomez, Instant Shade
For his donation
of valuable services and expertise in transplanting a large Colorado Spruce for
the annual Homer Glen Lands Day 2004 tree planting ceremony at Hadley
School, and participating in tree-cycling for the benefit of future generations.
Mike and Denise Hanes
For beautifying their
property and providing an attractive habitat for butterflies and humming birds.
Andy & Rosemary Koning
For preserving the
environment through the rescue of native prairie plants and establishing a
wildlife habitat on their property.
Karen & Randy Kraynak
For preserving 98% of
the trees on their wooded lot, replacing trees that were lost, and incorporating
native plants and grasses in their landscape design.
Joe Lepore
For beautification of property
featuring a rural theme with old fashioned farm equipment among colorful flowers
and grasses which create an exceptionally attractive entrance.
Zofia & John Lesniak
For beautifying their
property by creating a floral showcase in their front yard and providing a haven
for birds and butterflies.
John Lobick
For his contributions to the
Environment Committee and for his devotion to bee-keeping activities on his
property which benefit the environment
M & D Farms, Mark & Donna Walsh
For
providing a natural setting featuring a variety of farm animals and creating a
rural atmosphere on a commercial site.
Michael Roth, M & D Farms
For planting and
preserving trees on six and a half acres and for providing a natural setting
featuring a variety of farm animals and creating a rural atmosphere on a
commercial site.
Joan and Arneil McGowan
For providing
inspiration and education to our residents by creating a native prairie and
providing a wildlife habitat on one acre of their property.
Menards
For creating an attractive design
with harmonious landscaping and lighting throughout a large-scale commercial
development.
New Lenox State Bank
For continuing to
provide a beautiful and colorful landscape on a commercial site and promoting a
sense of pride within our community.
Joy and Stephen Oostema
For beautification
of their property by creating a tranquil environment which coordinates a garden
wall, patio, garden house, shade trees, and native plants throughout the
property.
John Robinson
For beautifying the Village
entry way through the donation of labor to install lighting for the entrance
sign on Bell Road.
Aspen Valley Landscape Supply
For
contributing to the beautification of the ground at Founder's Crossing through
the donation of landscape materials.
Scout Pack #62
For coordinating a cleanup
project and beautifying the property at Shady Oaks Cerebral Palsy Camp.
William Vogelsanger
For beautifying the
Village entry way through the donation of labor to install lighting for the
entrance sign on Bell Road.