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FOOTPRINTS at the FORKS Newsletter
December 2025 - A quarterly publication provided by the Historic Forks of the Wabash
MISSION STATEMENT: The Historic Forks of the Wabash, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization), pledges to preserve, protect, enhance, and interpret the geographical area known as the Forks of the Wabash. Historic Forks will serve the community by providing visitors with meaningful information about the site and the cultural history it represents.
Members of the Board: Liz Sanders, President, Ashley Herzog, Vice President, Jay Lahr, Treasurer, Donna Hollopeter, Secretary, Tim Deal, Rob Miller, Chris Smith, Lowell Griffin, Ronda Hawkins, Tim Guy, Caroline Runyan, Jo Bradley, Ann Hollar, Jim Hollar, Don Mathias, Sam PeGan
Upcoming Events at the Forks
Christmas at the Forks - December 13 & 14, 2025
Historic Forks of the Wabash – 3011 W Park Drive, Huntington Richardville Room
The Historic Forks of the Wabash is excited to invite the community to celebrate the holiday season at our annual Christmas at the Forks fundraising weekend!
Visitors can enjoy a full weekend of festivities, including:
Free Breakfast with Santa | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Saturday, Dec. 13)
Festival of Trees | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 13 & 14)
Christmas Brunch | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday Only (Tickets Required, $15 per person)
We hope you’ll join us in making Christmas at the Forks a magical celebration of community, tradition, and history! For more information, contact the Forks Office at 260-356-1903.
Candlelight Desserts at Chief Richardville’s Home – Jan. 24, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Enjoy a winter evening filled with sweetness and charm at Chief Richardville’s historic home. Guests will be treated to a tempting selection of desserts, served with mulled cider, tea, and coffee — all in a candlelit setting that glows with quiet elegance. Proceeds benefit the programs and preservation on efforts at the Historic Forks of the Wabash. Seating is limited to 30 guests. Cost to attend is $25 per person.
Afternoon High Tea at Chief Richardville’s Home – Jan. 25, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Enjoy a refined afternoon at the elegant Chief Richardville Home with our Afternoon High Tea. Delight in an assortment of delicate pastries, classic finger sandwiches, and a selection of fine teas and coffee, all served in timeless style. Seating is limited, so reserve your place for this graceful gathering steeped in charm and tradition. Proceeds benefit the programs and preservation efforts at the Historic Forks of the Wabash. Seating is limited to 30 guests.
For more information, send an email to: [email protected]
Shop Local History at the Forks!
The gift shop at the Historic Forks of the Wabash is brimming with wonderful finds this season!
We’ve added a variety of new items—perfect for holiday gifts, stocking stuffers, or a little something to brighten your day. This school season was a record year for sales, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going through the holidays.
You’ll find that 90% of our items are priced under $5, and everything in the shop is $17.50 or less, so there’s something for every budget.
Our shelves feature more than just locally inspired and historical souvenirs—you’ll also discover unique home décor, children’s toys and games, books, handmade crafts, and thoughtful seasonal treasures.
Every purchase helps support our educational programs and preservation efforts right here at the Forks.
The gift shop is open to the public on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon through Christmas. We invite you to stop in, see what’s new, and enjoy the cozy holiday atmosphere while you shop. Your visit helps keep history alive and supports the work we do year-round!
Highlights from the Historic Forks of the Wabash Annual Dinner 2025
A wonderful evening was enjoyed by approximately 90 guests who attended the Historic Forks’ Annual Dinner on November 5th in the Richardville Room. The evening consisted of a delicious meal catered by our board president, Liz Sanders, and served by a team of youth from the Boys and Girls Club. Lively entertainment was performed by the HIM Singers of the Trinity United Methodist Church, and a brief business report was presented as well as achievement recognition awards to several of our volunteers.
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We love our volunteers
We are so proud to celebrate a few of the amazing people who make the Historic Forks of the Wabash such a special place. Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients:
Volunteer of the Year – Dale Hawkins (2nd from left)
Guide of the Year – Lowell Griffin (2nd from right)
Interpreter of the Year – Marlene Johnston (far right)
Also pictured is Jo Bradley, recognized with a certificate of appreciation for bringing our Footprints at the Forks newsletter back to life, and Liz Sanders, our Board President (center). Hope to see you at the next annual dinner in 2026! We cannot say it enough — every single one of our volunteers is incredible. Your time, energy, and love for history make the Forks what it is. Thank you for all you do!
Pictured L-R: Jo Bradley, Dale Hawkins, Liz Sanders, Lowell Griffin, Marlene Johnston
Volunteer Recognition
Happy Birthday to our Volunteers!
January: Mike Arnold, Ginger Karns, Chuck Hileman, Liz Sanders, Phylis Stouder, Dale Hawkins
February: Diana Detamore, Rob Miller, Ronda Hawkins, Bill Walker, Tammy Thornburg, Linda Grossman, Carol Opal
March: Nancy Beaver, Janice McElhaney
December: Johanna Lange, Jo Bradley, Tim Deal, Suanne Jefferies
Volunteer Spotlight
 | Ronda Hawkins, Schoolhouse Interpreter When Ronda was asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, her response was that she enjoys interacting with the students, parent chaperones, and the teachers. As an educator herself, volunteering fits in with her life because she loves teaching and reading books in a variety of genres. |
One of Ronda’s favorite memories as a Historic Forks volunteer was when a mouse was sitting on the ladder in the schoolhouse listening to her presentation. It stayed there even when children left and a new group came in!
Something that most people do not know about Ronda is that she used to collect giraffes while teaching. She used them as her motto: “Reach for the stars. Stretch your neck to learn.” When she retired, she had over 200 giraffes of all kinds. One of her former 1st grade students brought her a pair of giraffe slippers when he was in high school. “It was a connect with my students.”
For someone considering becoming a volunteer at the Forks, Ronda’s advice to them would be, “It is an opportunity to give back to your community. You meet so many new people. The children are always full of questions. You will learn about our history, and the hours are flexible to your schedule.”
Volunteering is an opportunity to give back to your community.
Thank you, Ronda for your dedicated service!
Historic Forks Education Program - Celebrating a Successful 2025!
Congratulations to Beth Stricker, Tour & Program Coordinator, for another successful year of school tours at the Forks. Her diligence and hard work have definitely helped inform schools in and around northeast Indiana of the educational value the Forks provides. The following statistics are the result of a “job well done.”
Forks of the Wabash School Tour Program: Spring 2025
Participating Counties: (9) Allen, Elkhart, Grant, Huntington, Kosciusko, Marshall, Noble, Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Participating Schools: (29) Alyssum Montessori, Benton Elementary, Central Noble Elementary, Churubusco Elementary, Deer Ridge Elementary, Eastbrook North Elementary, Flint Springs, Franke Park Elementary, Haverhill Elementary, Holland Elementary, Holy Cross Lutheran, Homeschools, Horace Mann, Huntington Catholic, Huntington North Special Needs, Kendall Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Lindley Elementary, Little Turtle Elementary, Mary Raber Elementary, Millersburg Elementary, North Webster Elementary, Northcrest Elementary, Ossian Elementary, Sacred Heart, Salamonie Elementary, St. John Lutheran, Streams of Hope Christian Academy, Triton Elementary, Washington Center Elementary
Total Number of Visiting Students: 1,650
Total Visiting Teachers: 100
Total Other Visiting Adults: 390
Entry Fee Revenue: $10,200
Gift Shop Revenue: $4,923
Forks of the Wabash School Tour Program: Fall 2025
Participating Counties: (7) Allen, Grant, Huntington, Kosciusko Wabash, Wells, Whitley
Participating Schools: (29) Andrews Elementary, Aspen Meadow Elementary, Bluffton Harrison, Central Christian Elementary, Churubusco Elementary, Eastbrook North Elementary, Emmanuel Christian, Flint Springs Elementary, Frances Slocum Elementary, Homeschools, Lancaster Central Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Lincoln Elementary (Warsaw), Madison Elementary, Manchester Intermediate, Mentone Elementary, New Haven Intermediate, Northcrest Elementary, Northen Heights Elementary, Pierceton Elementary, Price Elementary, Roanoke Elementary, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, St. Jude Catholic School, Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School, Towles Montessori School, Wesley Academy
Total Number of Visiting Students: 1,821
Total Visiting Teachers: 97
Total Other Visiting Adults: 442
Entry Fee Revenue: $11,315
Gift Shop Revenue: $8,150
Overall Totals for 2025
Participating Counties: 10
Participating Schools: 54
Visiting Students: 3,471
Visiting Teachers: 197
Visiting other adults: 832
Entry Fee Revenue: $21,515.00
Gift Shop Revenue: $13,072.00
News from the Master Gardeners
Tim Deal, Board Member & Master Gardener
By way of grant funding, on March 29th, 2024, several hundred sapling-sized trees were mechanically planted on Forks’ grounds on the south side of the Wabash River a bit east of Rangeline Road. This is where you can also find a standing chimney that “belonged to” the trading post.
All trees planted are native to Indiana. There are several species of oaks as well as walnuts, hickory, tulip poplar and sycamore, among others. The American Sycamore have thrived, many already reaching 5-7 feet tall. That's pretty impressive for only two growing seasons! The others are also doing well but have a slower growth rate so they are currently barely peeking through the adjacent weeds. As part of the grant, there have been two sprayings for fungus and insecticide.
This mini update will hopefully remind you or perhaps inform you for the first time that there are things happening in many areas of the Forks’ property, even when off of the beaten path. If you have an opportunity, I encourage you to check it out in person.
The property can be reached by crossing Rangeline Road Bridge headed south. Turn left (eastbound) on River Road. Use road-side parking available just past the couple of houses on your left side. Better yet just ask me, Tim Deal, or someone from the Historic Forks of the Wabash Board of Directors for more guidance or information.
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Chiefs’ House and Trading Post Updates
Jim Hollar, Board Member & Grant Writer
This summer we completed the work on the Chiefs’ House with additional much-needed restoration of the two chimneys on the roof. This was done before the start of the school tour season to ensure the safety of our students. The additional cost for the chimney work was $9,230.00. Partial funding for this project was given by the Paul H. Everitt and June Dunn Everitt Foundation. From the spring of 2024 to the summer of 2025 nearly $65,000.00 has been expended to ensure our ability to continue using this historic building for school tours.
In the Spring of 2025, the Board of Directors determined that we needed to stabilize and return our other two-story log house to its original Forks function as a Trading Post. We had an architectural evaluation and gathered bids to determine the cost of this project. For the restoration of the log house, including a new roof, the approximate cost is $45,000.00. The Forks Board has committed to fund approximately 15% of the total cost; and we have been fortunate to gather support from the Mueller-Scherger, Dekko, M.E. Raker, and Olive B. Cole Foundations to allow us to begin the project in late winter or early spring (weather cooperating) with tours beginning in the spring of 2026. (If the weather does not cooperate, school tours will begin using the Trading Post in the fall of 2026.) Additional grant funding and individual donations will be needed to complete the project on time. If you wish to donate, please send your contribution to the Historic Forks of the Wabash with a comment to designate your funds for the “Trading Post Restoration.” Note that these donated funds are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
The completion of these two projects will enable us to continue introducing the students of Northeast Indiana to the importance of the Miami Indian culture, early settlers, and the Wabash and Erie Canal showing how these elements shaped the communities in which they live. During the 2025 calendar year, we provided tours for more than 3,400 students from 54 schools in 10 Northeast Indiana counties.
I would like to thank the foundations, companies and individuals who have given of their resources to the Forks to help sustain our mission. The major foundations include, but are not limited to, the Dekko Foundation, Huntington County Community Foundation, M.E. Raker Foundation, Mueller-Scherger Foundation, Olive B. Cole, Paul H. Everitt and June Dunn Everitt Foundation, and the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission. Many thanks to Bippus State Bank, 1st Federal Savings Bank, Beacon Credit Union, Everwise Credit Union and Heartland REMC for their continued support.
A&A Quick Stop at 1916 N. Jefferson, Indus Petroleum at 2820 N. Jefferson, Johnson Junction at 507 W. Park Drive, and the Viking Express at 2090 N. Jefferson have been crucial in helping us to keep up our grounds with the donation of gas gift cards. Many other businesses and individuals are critical in our sustainability, but these have been significantly important in maintaining our buildings and grounds this year.
Your Donations Help
Events at the Forks - 2025 Recap
Flav Ann Karst, Facilities Rental Manager
The Forks’ Richardville Room has been very busy this year as a rentable event center. We have hosted 13 weddings at the Forks because of the beautifully kept grounds. That is a reflection on the Master Gardeners and other volunteers who work so hard. Seven of the weddings were outside. Thank you for maintaining our park.
Weddings are not the only events we host. We held 9 baby and bridal showers, 6 birthday parties, and 5 graduation parties. Families have also celebrated anniversaries, memorials, and Thanksgiving here in the Richardville Room. Also, a first for us, we hosted a First Communion celebration this year. Some of these celebrations are held by people who have enjoyed the park or have volunteered here over the years. The Forks of the Wabash has touched their life in some way, and they come to celebrate.
In addition to private events, we have held 20 other events for the community of Huntington. Graduates of Huntington North are honored by the Optimist Club and Rotary Club for their scholastic achievements. The Community Foundation of Huntington County also meets with their scholarship recipients at the Forks. The Huntington Heritage Days committee honors its new Chief at a breakfast in the Richardville Room. Local charities host fundraising events here. Place of Grace, Council of Aging, the United Way, and the Youth Services Bureau fill the room with exciting presentations. This year First Federal Bank and Parkview Health Leadership have found our space to train their employees. We enjoy working with all these groups!
While the Forks of the Wabash is a beautiful setting for your outside wedding, it is also a place to come celebrate many life events. If you are interested in renting our facility, contact Flav Ann Karst at [email protected]. (All rental proceeds help support the Historic Forks of the Wabash.) Come see us soon!
The following is a summary of events:
Rotary and Optimist celebration of 2025 graduates
Tim Woods Concert
First Federal training day
United Way kick off breakfast
Relay for Life Survivors banquets
Heritage Days Chief Breakfast
HCCF meet and greet graduates
Christian Tabernacle of Life Church
Council on Aging
Master Gardeners
Place of Grace
Youth Services Bureau
Bendix Christmas
Weddings and receptions – 13 (7 outside, 4 receptions only, 2 inside)
9 showers
6 birthday celebrations
5 graduation parties
3 Retired Teacher luncheons
3 Master Gardener events
2 class reunions
2 celebrations of life
2 family Thanksgiving celebrations
1 Christmas party
1 First Communion celebration
1 Anniversary celebration
Total: 68 events in the Richardville Room
A Special “Thank You”
As the coordinator behind the efforts that go into producing the quarterly Footprints at the Forks Newsletter, I would like to express a big thank you to all who gave of their time and talents to make the newsletter possible during 2025.
Whether it was by …
Writing informative articles: Beth Stricker, Jim Hollar, Flav Ann Karst, Liz Sanders and Tim Deal
Painstakingly proofing content: Ann Hollar and Beth Stricker
IT expertise in setting up the online newsletter: Mady Stricker, aka “Whiz Kid”
Printing all hard copies of the newsletter: Jim Scheiber and Jo Jamison
Or helping with the mailing process: Dorothy Rodgers, Ashley Herzog, Liz Sanders, Linda Grossman, Phylis Stouder, Mary Reust and Sharon Solloway
Without all of you, the newsletter would not have been a reality. Please know that your work has been greatly appreciated!
Many thanks, and Happy Holidays! — Jo Bradley