Released: September 16, 2004

Storm-Damaged Tree Becomes Award-Winning 4-H Project

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Good deeds sometimes bring unexpected rewards.

Such is the case for both the King and Spradling families in Montgomery County, Kan.

After a windstorm, Montgomery County 4-H member, Justin King and his father, Kevin, helped longtime neighbor and friend, Charlie Spradling, clean up a downed walnut tree. As a thank you, Spradling offered the wood to Justin for his 4-H woodworking projects.

The thoughtful gesture prompted another, this time on the part of Justin.

When Charlie, a Korean War veteran, died unexpectedly, Justin decided to use the walnut from the tree to make a display box for his friend and neighbor’s memorial flag and campaign ribbons.

Justin worked more than 30 hours on the 4-H woodworking project, and earned a purple ribbon at the Montgomery County 4-H Fair and a state fair blue at the Kansas State Fair. The box is on display at the Kansas State Fair, which closes at 6 p.m. Sept. 19. After the fair, Justin plans to give the display box to Spradling’s widow, Delores.

“Charlie was a good friend to me and I miss him,” he said.

King is in the sixth grade. He is the son of Kevin and Lois King and a member of the Happy Hustlers 4-H Club.

More information on educational 4-H programs is available at county K-State Research and Extension offices and the 4-H Web site: http://4-H.K-State.edu  .

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News