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Run benefits park

Funds helps restore barn

By Holly Neumann


About 60 area runners came out to show their support of Jorgen’s Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, by participating in Run for the Barn.

“This has been a great day,” said Dana Rima who organized the event. “Seeing all the people here today makes me feel wonderful. It’s quite exciting to see so much interest.”

Among the runners was the Nielson family of Scandinavia.

Five year old Oscar ran with him mom, Angie.

“I like it here,” said Oscar. “I get to use my super speed.”

Oscar giggles when he says he is a better runner than his mom.

“We like to use the trails and use them a lot” said Angie. “We really enjoy coming to the park.”

Funds raised from the event will be used to help restore the barn located on the property.

This is an Eagle Scout project that is being down by Tim Hayes.

Both Angie and Rima praised Hayes for his efforts.

“We support all his efforts. It is just beautiful,” said Angie. “It is amazing how quickly it is all coming together.”

“What Tim has done is fantastic, we cannot commend him enough,” Rima said. “He has really done an important job for us.”

Hayes is proud to be making a difference in the community.

“I wanted to do something that I could look back at and see the progress,” he said. “The hardest part has been organizing it all.”

With help from his family, Rima and Carlo Lantz boards on the barn have been replaced, the roof has been painted and they are working on painting the sides.

It is expected to be complete before winter.

“I hope people look at the barn and realize that old barns can be restored,” said Hayes. “And I hope people continue to use the park.”

Along with doing a service project, Hayes also has to earn 21 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout. He has only two more to complete.

Rima is hoping to host Run for the Silo next year.

“The silo blew down last spring and is being stored in the barn loft,” he said. “We hope to be able to put it up again next year. We have spent all the monies we had on refurbishing the barn, so we are starting from scratch again. Hopefully with the race this year we will be caught up.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the park can do so by directing them to Carlo Lantz, E1999 Shady Drive, Scandinavia, WI, 54977. Checks can be made payable to Friends of Jorgen’s Park Preserve.

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