Onaway group looks to help beautify historic courthouse
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The Onaway Stepping Stones Garden Club would like to present a gift to all men and women who have served in the five branches of the military.
The local service organization has proposed to purchase a Blue Star Memorial plaque for the front lawn of the historic Onaway Courthouse.
President of the club Deb Artrip went before members of the Onaway City Commission at a recent meeting to present details of the proposal. She said the club would pay all the expenses, it just needs approval to place it on public property.
“In northern Michigan, there are only a couple,” said Artrip. The closest one is in Petoskey, which was erected last September. “Our ladies are so committed to keeping Onaway beautiful.” She said the club has a reserve it wants to use to purchase the $1,410 plaque with. “There is going to be another $600 to $700 in landscaping and concrete. We are not asking for any donations. We already have the funds in hand.”
Before moving forward with an application, Artrip said her organization would need to have the blessing of the city.
“We are forming different committees to handle the different parts of the project,” said Artrip. She said the next time she comes before the commission she will have a design and goals.
The Blue Star Memorial program began in 1944 with the planting of 8,000 dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs as a living memorial to veterans of World War II.
In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system, which covers thousands of miles across the country. Large metal Blue Star Memorial highway markers are placed at appropriate locations along the way.
The program was expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving
Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the highway markers, to be used at locations such as national cemeteries, parks, veterans’ facilities and gardens.
The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, as well as in churches and businesses. This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute always and especially now.
The city approved a motion supporting the project and any paperwork to accompany the application.
“Thank you for the effort you put in on behalf of the garden club, and the members for the work they do in the city, ” said commissioner Chuck Abshagen.