Carroll County officials planted a swamp white oak at the Golden Age Retreat on Oct. 9, using the ceremony to mark the nation's 250th anniversary and the county's place in American history.
The planting was part of America 250-Ohio's Heritage Trees initiative, which supplied a native Ohio oak to each of the state's 88 counties. A plaque identifying the tree's species and a shovel carrying the America 250 logo were included in the event.
Commissioner Chris Modranski told those gathered that oaks are associated with strength, resilience and longevity, traits he tied to the nation's enduring spirit. He said the tree would stand as a living reminder of county history and of efforts to preserve it. Modranski said the county home's long history and its ties to generations of residents made it the fitting choice, adding that commissioners had considered other sites, among them the county annex. In his view, the location lets residents enjoy the tree while linking its lifespan to that of the county's older residents.
Superintendent Dawn Faulk said the planting holds special meaning for the facility and those who live there. She hopes veterans at the retreat will use the area for reflection, and she noted the maturing tree might eventually be seen from residents' windows. Faulk said residents could look back on their experiences and the changes they have witnessed, and she expressed appreciation for the commissioners' decision to place the county's America 250 tree there.