Chamber releases keepsake ornament

Saunders Springs Nature Preserve has been immortalized in a Christmas keepsake.

The Saunders Springs Nature Preserve is depicted on this year's Christmas in Hardin County commemorative ornament. The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce priced the ornaments at $7 each.

The annual Christmas in Hardin County commemorative ornament was unveiled Wednesday during the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon at North Side Hall in Radcliff.

The 22nd edition of the ornament features the preserve, which expanded this year with the assistance of Fort Knox. The U.S. Army post leased 73 acres of land to Radcliff between Saunders Springs and the Radcliff-Fort Knox boundary to the south and east of the preserve for the creation of hiking and biking trails.

Col. Bruce Jenkins, Fort Knox garrison commander, described the venture as a joint effort between the city and post to improve quality of life and offer more recreational opportunities for families.

Brad Richardson, chamber executive director, said the ornament was chosen to commemorate the partnership between Radcliff and Fort Knox for efforts to enhance the property. Richardson presented Radcliff Mayor J.J. Duvall and Fort Knox Community Relations Officer John Campbell with the ornament during the luncheon.

The blue orb is adorned with a stark white image of log cabins which sit near the entrance of the preserve off Wilson Road. Duvall said it is a fitting homage to the preserve and a nod to the number of volunteers who have worked countless hours to keep the preserve pristine since its inception.

“This ornament is really a true honor,” he said.

Adrian Bambini, chairman of the Radcliff Forestry Board, said new trails were created by volunteers who gave more than 3,600 hours to the work through the first nine months of the year.

The ornament joins a lengthy lineage of images honoring local landmarks and events, such as Hardin Memorial Hospital, the Hardin County History Museum and the Brown-Pusey House. Last year’s ornament commemorated Cruisin’ the Heartland, the downtown summer Elizabethtown car cruise that has attracted thousands of car lovers during its three-year history.

The ornament costs $7 plus tax and complete sets of the 22 ornaments released, dating back to 1991, can be purchased for $100 plus tax.

Ornaments can be purchased at the chamber offices at 111 W. Dixie Ave. in Elizabethtown and at 306 N. Wilson Road in Radcliff. For information, call (270) 765-4334 or (270) 351-4550.

Marty Finley can be reached at (270) 505-1762 or mfinley@thenewsenterprise.com.