Ring of fire

Local Scout builds fire pit for community

[May 15, 2008]  Logan Mikesell, a young man from Mount Pulaski, is about to turn 18. He also is about to go off to college, but not before burning his mark in the Logan County landscape.

Mikesell, working on his Eagle Scout project, chose to build a fire pit with benches on the grounds of the Park Meadows Baptist Church. The choice was obvious for the young man. There were frequent campfires on the church grounds, and building a fire pit was an approved Eagle Scout project by his local Mount Pulaski BSA Troop 122.

Logan is always looking ahead, and when he moved here from Crawfordsville, Ind., his mother told him that becoming involved with a prestigious organization such as the Scouts would look good on his college application, besides teaching him life skills. It appears both objectives have been met by the young man.

Although preparing to go off to school, it looks like Mikesell's idea for benches also could have created a vocation if he wasn't sure of his career direction. "People have been asking me if I could build more of those benches," Mikesell offered. The benches, made out of huge logs split in half and sanded down, have been a hit with folks stopping by to see the new, attractive fire pit on the grounds of Park Meadows Baptist Church.

Logan is quick to point out that he had a great deal of help with the project, especially the heavy benches. His letter thanking everyone who helped with the project is available at http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/
2008/May/09/LDN/letters050908_a.shtml#letter.

Mikesell said he learned a great deal of respect for those who work with brick, as building the round fire pit took a great deal of time and effort. "This was my first time working with brick, and I learned a lot about the skill needed to make a round pit out of bricks," he said.

Logan, who will be going to Pensacola Christian College in Florida, plans to major in mechanical engineering and hopes to one day work for Caterpillar.

We wish him well and perhaps can toast his future success -- with a toasted marshmallow at the new fire pit he built for others to enjoy.

[By MIKE FAK]

Readers can find more of Mike Fak's writing at www.searchwarp.com and www.problogs.com.