Scout lays it on the line
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Charlie Oppliger compacts the stone dust in preparation to laying brick at the high school athletic field. His brother Pete assists.

Someone else had the dream, but Greencastle- Antrim High School senior Charlie Oppliger made it come true. At least the first phase.

For days he hauled rock, smoothed sand and laid brick. It was heavy, it was dusty and it was time-consuming. The end result of his project benefits the school district and put Oppliger in line to receive the Eagle Scout Award.

A brick walkway from the main gate of the high school track to the flag pole is now in place. Engraved brick from donors are almost a living history of people, past and present, who have called Greencastle home.

Ayear ago the Greencastle- Antrim Education Foundation began a 'Buy a Brick Campaign' to raise money for its scholarship fund and educational programs. Executive Director Ginny Lays said the sales were enough to create the Phase I path. Hal Myers, Director of Buildings and Grounds, was in charge of installing the bricks.

Oppliger ran into him and the topic came up. He thought it sounded like a good Eagle Scout project and offered to take it on.

He first consulted with Doug McClure, who creates patios for a living. Once McClure approved of his plan, he got to work. Antrim Township donated the stones and stone dust crucial to the job. The Foundation furnished the extra bricks and equipment rental.

He recruited help from other Scouts, his brother Pete, 15, his dad Paul, and another fellow who is a glutton for punishment. Guy Harbaugh had helped his son Chris lay a brick walk at the Allison Antrim Museum in August, another Eagle Scout project.

"That's why I was so eager to call him," said Oppliger, 17.

He directed the crews for several Saturdays in the fall. Close to two-dozen Scouts helped haul 20 tons of gravel by wheelbarrow, smooth stone dust over the top and set bricks into place. Thousands of bricks.

His mom Kari brought homemade lunch to everyone each day.

They worked in all kinds of weather.

"The first day was hot," Oppliger said. "And we had no water. I had overlooked that aspect of the project. It got fixed though. The second day was cold. I wore two long-sleeved shirts. Today's good."

Lays put the design on graphing paper and Oppliger followed it in placing the four sizes of bricks in a pattern. The crew finished a walkway over 90 feet in length and six feet wide.

"He's really doing a great job. All of the kids are," said Lays as a group worked on the last section Oct. 20.

Next year she hopes enough bricks will be sold to continue the path to the visitors' bleachers. Fans of opposing teams must now walk on the grass to get to the concession stand and restrooms. The ultimate goal is for the path to circle the entire field, though she admits it may not occur in her lifetime.

Donors who buy bricks specify the information they want engraved. It could be a name and graduation year, or in honor or memory of a loved one. Businesses have purchased the larger tiles. Brochures explaining the details of the campaign are available at the Chamber of Commerce or though the school district.

"I think as soon as people see this, there will be a lot more interest," Lays said.

Oppliger originally estimated 200 man-hours for the project, but now guessed they would go over that.

"We're all a little weary."