Black bear statue unveiled at town hall

VERNON — About 75 people turned out for the unveiling of a statue of “Samantha” a black bear last Sunday in front of the Vernon Township Municipal Building.

Some $10,000 in donations made it possible for the Bear Education and Resource Program to gift the statue to the township. The program is a part of the Animal Protection League of New Jersey.

The life-size statue is the work of Vernon artist Gary Adamkovich, who was commissioned to create the statue. The base of the statue features tiles that represent indigenous animals and plant species, as well as symbols such as a bear paw track.

The plaque reads, “Dedicated in Memory of Samantha 1981-2012. Samantha, a black bear, lived a full and natural life in Wawayanda State Park, the heart of Vernon Township’s picturesque community. Black bears are a symbol of the highlands and contribute to a healthy and robust ecosystem.”

It also lists some 22 major contributors to the statue’s creation.

­ — Photos by Chris Wyman
For more photos, visit www.advertisernewsnorth.com.