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Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Stull's family project results in new park sign
What began as one man's challenge to his family has resulted in a much-needed addition to Judge Lewis Park.
Rick and Lora STULL and their children and grandchildren have constructed a new sign for the park as a donation to the
community. "Back in 2011 at Christmas my husband Rick challenged the family to come up with something we could donate to
the community as a gift," recalled Lora. "Since the STUFF family came to RInggold county in the 1880's, and Rick and I have
lived here all our lives, and two of our three children live in Ringgold county as well, we all thought Rick had a good
idea. We chose a sign for Judge Lewis Park since the one that was there had fallen down." The idea for the sign, however,
didn't stop there. "We had a contest among ourselves to see who could come up with the best sign design," said Lora.
"Rick put a little of everyone's design so no one would feel bad that their design was not chosen, but I do remember
something about a $50 bet for whoever came up with the best design. By using everyone's [ideas], the bet was off." With
the design finalized, STULL laid the foundation this summer. But again, the actual construction of the sign was a family
affair. "Everyone had a job to do," said
Lora. "The grandchildren were even included in picking stones and where they wanted to lay them. They also were involved
in striking the joints. Once the planter part of the sign was done, it was then my job to make the template for the sign
on the granite. Our son-in-law Erin MAIN'S job was to sandblast the granite." As of last Sunday, the sign is now
complete. "Our hope is that the community enjoys the new sign as much as our family had in making it," said Lora. "We
also want to thank Gerold's Plumbing for donating the granite and Eighmy momument in providing the template material and
Malcolm's [EIGHMY] espertise in telling us how to make the template. I now have a greater appreciation of what he does
everyday." From a Christmas challenge to a family project, to a finished addition to the city park, Rick and Lora STULL
and their family have given new meaning to the term "community service."
Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2013
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