Marking miles for rec trail, Stonesifer eyes an Eagle Scout project

Jacob Stonesifer (far right) received help on his Eagle Scout project of installing mile markers along the Maser Recreation Trail from 23 of his fellow Troop 188 Boy Scouts. Joining him Sunday were: (l-r) Scout leader Mark Holck, Ryan Stream, and Brian Kehm. [Click to enlarge]

The idea came to Jacob Stonesifer when he was training to participate in RAGBRAI with his sister.

"Amelia and I were were riding our bikes along the Maser Recreation Trail when I thought it might be cool to know how far we traveled," the Le Mars Community High School sophomore recalls.

"I knew we used the rec trail all the time," Stonesifer states, "and I knew a lotta other people did too. It got me to thinking: There really should be mile markers around the rec trail."

Stonesifer placed 13 of the 26 mileage markers along the rec trail. He hopes to place the remaining markers before winter. [Click to enlarge]

So for his Eagle Scout project, the 15-year-old Stonesifer decided to put mileage markers around the rec trail.

"The actual markers are made from cement with brown metal numerals placed into the cement," he remarks.

Sunday, Stonesifer and 23 of his fellow Troop 188 scouts placed 13 of the 26 mileage markers. The mileage markers were placed every one-half mile going both ways around the already existing Maser Recreation Trail.

"We hope to have the rest of the mileage markers installed by winter," he adds. "That's along the stretch of the trail extending from the municipal park, traveling six miles out to the Wells' Corporate office building."

Most of the funding for the project, Stonesifer says, came from individual businesses he sent letters to, or made presentations for.

"My main contributor was Wells' Dairy, Inc," he mentions. "Other contributors included the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Floyd Valley Hospital, Medical Associates, Gus Pech Manufacturing, Zollman Chiropractic, the Sertoma Club, the Le Mars Bicyclists Club, Le Mars Physical Therapy, and Nick and Deb Puhl."

These contributors, Stonesifer explains, helped purchase cement and numerals for the mile markers.

"Garbe Industries, Inc. from Tulsa, Okla. supplied the numerals and Dreckman Excavating supplied the crushed rock for the markers," he allows. "And they both did it for a reduced cost."

Stonesifer will be completing his Eagle Scout project by the end of the year "and hopefully, I'll find out if it's approved by early next year."

The Boy Scouts has been a way of life for Stonesifer for most of his life.

"I started as a Cub Scout when I was in the first grade," he says, "and I've been very active ever since."

Scouting has given the Le Mars teen a sense of confidence and a desire to be community active.

"That's what being an Eagle Scout is all about," he maintains. "Taking the lead on a project that'll be beneficial for the entire community."

Scouting has also given Stonesifer skills he would ordinarily not possess.

"I learned how to cook as a Scout," he laughs. "Don't think I'd be able to do that otherwise."

"Plus I know how to keep warm even in the coldest of conditions," Stonesifer jokes. "Being on the LCHS football team, that'll come in handy some cold night."

Next for Stonesifer is becoming a counselor at Minnesota's Many Point Scout Camp.

"I was a counselor-in-training last summer," he remembers, "so, this summer, I'm hoping to be a full-fledged camp counselor."

"That's the great thing about Scouting," Stonesifer suggests. "You're always pushing yourself to achieve more."

"I like that," he smiles.