Et cetera : Maple 4 Splits to Hopkinton

Maple 4 member Emily Schaeffer wet scrapes lead paint at Lennox College in Hopkinton, IA

By Zachary Pyle

Maple 4 spent the first half of their project which began on May 1 with Spirit of the Hills Sanctuary in Spearfish, South Dakota. Afterwards, the team arrived in Hopkinton, Iowa on May 20 to serve on their second project for the round with the Delaware County Historical society.

The team assisted Spirit of the Hills with two main objectives: remove noxious weeds and pile trees, which were both standing and downed. Burdock was the main weed the team was removing, which grows prickly and sticky burrs when mature.

“Seeing some of the animals covered in these burrs was upsetting- they looked so uncomfortable and distressed by having them stuck all in their fur,” said Maple 4 member Marvens Valmont. “Eliminating these burrs before they mature will keep these animals more comfortable and happier,” he added.

Maple 4 left Spirit of the Hills on May 18 to serve with The Delaware County Historical Society. The team is tackling a wide variety of tasks, ranging from painting rooms to creating new displays for their open air museum which ranges across nine different buildings.

Maple 4 member Amanee Kraft says, “This community is really special. Everyone waves when you’re walking down the street and the townsfolk have showered our team with edible goodies. It’s just that kind of place.”