Posted: 8/3/04
Eagle Scout, friends create ëKindergardení
mural at Caledonia Elementary School
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The east side of the kindergarten wing of Caledonia Area Elementary School now has a colorful mural and garden, thanks to Duane Miller and company.
The Caledonia youth organized the project as part of his Eagle Scout project.
ìThe Secret Kindergarden,î as the project is called, was a collaborative effort that drew in friends, family members, artists, and kindergarten teacher Janelle Klug, who has a nearby classroom in the school.
Duane, 17, designed the garden. He put pathways at the corner so that people who would cut across the space anyway could do so on a path.
Scoutmaster Kurt Christian tilled up the ground, and with help from his son, Jessie, and Duaneís mother, Patty, they removed the weeds.
Duane left the corners for annual plants and flowers, which kindergarten students will plant and maintain during the school year. ìThis way they can grow whatever they want,î Patty Miller said.
Local gardening expert Janine Hosch donated all 65 of the perennial plants. Duane picked out the plants, then she dug them up and labeled them.
The front part of the garden is planted with herbs like garlic and chives.
Staggemeyer Stave donated the wood chips. The Millers gathered the pine needles at Camp Winnebago.
Michelle Werner designed the mural and did the detail work on it. She drew a winking firefly around the light on the side of the building.
ìShe was kind enough to throw in the eagle too,î said Patty, who painted the rainbow.
Michelle said she doesnít consider herself an artist. ìBut I think sheís an artist,î her son, Luke, said while Michelle was painting earlier this summer.
Michelleís son, Austin, will be in kindergarten this fall. He will get a good look at his motherís work this year as he enters the kindergarten door to the right of the mural.
Duane did a lot of the background painting, and picked out all the colors. VFW Post 3833, the sponsor of Troop 51, donated $150 for the paint, which was purchased at a discounted price at Torgersonís Paint in Caledonia.
Duane said he is happy with the results. ìAt first I was kind of overwhelmed, but after I saw the flowers and stuff, I felt good about it.î
It has taken a lot of maintenance work such as pulling weeds and watering. After school starts, the kindergarten students will get to take over that fun job. It will be a learning experience for them, Patty said with another laugh. ìThe difference between a weed and a plant.î
Duaneís sister Heidi, 14, and brother Patrick, 12, helped too. Duane will be a senior at Caledonia High School this fall.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
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Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com