By Kim McDarison
Several groups of volunteers — including members of Boy Scout Pack 137 and Troop 131; members of the Green Team, a group of students at Purdy Elementary School focusing on environmentally friendly activities; as well as Purdy staff and community members — assembled last Thursday for the final “reveal” of a memorial garden, according to a recent news release.
The garden was planted in the Purdy Elementary School courtyard and in memory of longtime Purdy Elementary School teacher Chrystal LaMuro, who, project coordinator, designer and Purdy Elementary School paraprofessional Kris Hofer said, passed away earlier this year.
Members of the Bob and Leslie LaMuro family donated funds in support of the garden and volunteers spent some 20 hours bringing the concept to fruition, Hofer noted.
The concept of the garden was proposed in March, she said.
“It is the hope of the LaMuro family that this space be used for Purdy students and staff as a place to enjoy the peace and beauty of nature,” Hofer added.
The garden features some 160 square feet of planted space, she said.
“We are truly humbled to be chosen by the LaMuro family to find a place at Purdy Elementary to give tribute to a wonderful and beloved teacher. The memory of Chrystal will live on in many years to come by the students and staff at Purdy. Many thanks to the LaMuro family for this wonderful gift and to Kris Hofer who was instrumental in making this beautiful vision a reality,” former Purdy Elementary School Principal Leigh Ann Scheuerell said in response to the garden reveal.
Scheuerell serves today as principal of the Fort Atkinson High School.
According to a news release supplied by Purdy Elementary School staff, many community members offered their skills to make the garden a reality, including the LaMuro family, Scheuerell, and School District of Fort Atkinson Facilities and Safety Coordinator Josh Carter, along with Purdy Elementary School staff members Judy McDonald and Hofer.
The Green Team was on hand in June to plant the garden, the release stated.
The garden has been tended and watered over the summer months with help from Jennifer Buck’s summer Garden Camp, the release continued. The group also helped plant seeds and flowers in raised beds surrounding the garden, according to the release.
Also instrumental in helping to make the garden a reality were Boy Scout Pack 137 and Troop 131 advisors Kurt Wesemann, Bob Cheek, David Fredrick and Ryan Werner, and Green Team advisors Heather Schneider, Hofer and Jenny Mares, according to the release.
Admiring the completed garden in memory of Purdy Elementary School teacher Chrystal LaMuro are Leslie LaMuro, from left, Judy McDonald, Kris Hofer, Leigh Ann Scheuerell and Bob LaMuro.
Boy Scout Pack 137 and Troop 131 advisor David Fredrick, at left, helps prepare the area within the Purdy Elementary School courtyard for planting while several other volunteers engage in various gardening activities. The memorial garden project was initially proposed in March. Volunteers worked some 20 hours to bring the garden to fruition. The project was completed last Thursday.
Volunteers level and prepare edging around raised beds in the garden.
Volunteers plant flowers in raised beds.
Contributed photos.
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