Caledonia Argus

Caledonia scouts receive highest honors

Posted: 4/23/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Seven young men from Caledonia were honored as Eagle Scouts Sunday at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Philip Kinneberg, Nicholas Klug, Geoffrey Mell, Mark Murphy, Bradley Nelson, Bradley Schulze, and Brian Zard have achieved the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts, an accomplishment that only two percent of Boy Scouts ever achieve.

In addition, Randy Mell, a volunteer with the Boy Scouts in Caledonia for 22 years, was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor an adult volunteer can receive. Both Mellís sons have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, each Scout was required to perform a community service project.

Philip Kinneberg, son of Myron and Jean Kinneberg, was involved in the planning and building of the ìWall of Honorî in Veterans Memorial Park. He also poured the sidewalk near the Caledonia Swimming Pool. The Wall of Honor was built with engraved bricks purchased in honor or memory of individuals. Proceeds from the sale of the bricks were used to make improvements to the playground.

Nicholas Klug, son of John and Cathy Klug, worked with the St. Maryís School Parentsí Committee, constructing a new playground. Nick was in charge of security, clean-up and recycling. Eight fellow scouts assisted on the project, which ran from July to October 2000.

Geoffrey Mell, son of Mary and Randy Mell, assisted with the wildlife exhibit at the Houston County fair. He contacted wildlife owners and the Rochester DNR for animals and fish to exhibit, cleaned and repaired the exhibit space; and helped maintain the exhibit throughout the fair. When the fair was over, he helped dismantle the display and return the animals.

Mark Murphy is the son of Tim and Sheila Murphy. For his Eagle Scout project, he helped in the development and maintenance of the sensory garden at Veterans Memorial Park. The four-phase project included planting the flowers, watering and weeding the beds, applying wood chips and last, putting edging around the beds.

Bradley Nelson, the son of David and Sandy Nelson, planned and built an observation deck overlooking the Mississippi Wildlife Refuge north of New Albin for his Eagle Scout project. The deck included a ramp, benches, telescope and interactive panels.

Bradley Schulze, the son of Allen and Donna Schulze, created information videos for Caledonia High School for his Eagle Scout project. Bradís videos were on FFA, Youth Building Communities and Weight Lifting. The videos are used to give students an introduction to those topics.

Brian Zard, the son of Dr. Mark and Joanne Zard, had as his Eagle Scout project the planning and building of three garbage can holders and three benches for the Caledonia Youth Soccer Association fields.

The Eagle Scouts each took a turn at the microphone and described their fondest Scouting memory.

The VFW presented each Eagle Scout with a certificate and an American Flag.

In presenting Randy Mell with the Silver Beaver award, Jeb Griffith, who received the award last year, described the transition from ìScoutî to ìScouter,î which is what adult volunteers are called. Mell is only the fifth person from Caledonia to receive the Silver Beaver award.

ìScouting would not be as strong today without the leadership of Randy Mell,î said Griffith,

In accepting his award, Mell commented, ìI did it because I loved doing it.î

Steve Christiansen was the Chairman of the Court of Honor for the event, and the guest speaker was former state legislator Virgil Johnson.

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