Getting the word out.
Mount Horeb Mail November 4th edition has a wonderful article on the Happy Place.
Visit www.newspubinc.com for the whole article.
Mount Horeb Mail ran a wonderful article about the Happy Place in it's April 1, 2010 edition. They also ran this following article in the January 26, 2011 edition.
Happy Place – Phase Two!
Last year, our community experienced a number of tragic events when several families had to deal with the unexpected death of a loved one or the terminal effects of cancer for a nine year old child. The sadness associated with these events touched many families. It was a lot for our small community of wonderful and caring people to experience and it cast a shadow over a village that normally shines with enthusiasm and hope.
Two young children decided it was time to do something so people in the community could start to be happy again. Eric, who lost his father in September, and Cari, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August, came up with the idea to create a Happy Place. They worked with three other students on a steering committee, local landscapers Craig Kittleson and Mick Klein-Kennedy, and many school and community members to complete phase one of that Happy Place, in May 2010.
Throughout the weeks and months following its creation, the Happy Place has had visitors every day. It is a place that people of all ages and experiences can enjoy. Some come to think and surround themselves with hope, some come to count their blessings, and some come because it’s a great place to take a break and/or eat lunch on a busy day. Its therapeutic value is priceless!
Unfortunately, some individuals could not easily access the heart-shaped patio or read the heartfelt expressions and words of encouragement written on the 200 pavers in the smile of the happy face in the patio. So, we are entering phase two of the project – creating a handicap accessible pathway. We are also adding some areas for children to busy themselves in play, with talk tubes and an art mosaic board, as envisioned by the children who shared ideas of things that might make people happier for a little while.
If you would like to support this phase of the Happy Place project, you could visit the website www.happyplacegarden.com to download an order form or stop by the Mount Horeb Intermediate Center to pick up an order form to purchase an engraved paver which will be added to the Happy Place landscape. You could also visit the Middle School on the morning of the Super Bowl to talk to members of the Happy Place steering committee, pick up an order form for a paver, and/or make a monetary donation. If you’ve never visited the Happy Place, you could stop by anytime. It’s located on the corner of Hanneman Boulevard and Lincoln Street.
We were on the news!
On Earth Day (April 22, 2010) Brad from NBC 15 came out to do a piece on the Happy Place!
Monday May 24, 2010, Pamela Cotant did a beautiful article on the Happy Place for the Wisconsin State Journal. Thank you Pam and WSJ!
School Spotlight: Mount Horeb kids help create a 'happy place'
By PAMELA COTANT | For the State Journal
MOUNT HOREB -- The small community of Mount Horeb has experienced more than its share of tragedy in recent months.
Now a 9-year-old girl -- wise beyond her years -- is making sure there is a place where people can search for peace and reflect on happier times.
Called the Happy Place Garden, it features pavers set into a heart-shaped happy face. Visitors can sit on the large boulders for eyes and on the ledge that borders the garden. A water feature is being installed at the nose of the face. Trees were planted in honor of those who provided the impetus for the garden and Mount Horeb Intermediate Center students have planted marigold seeds.
The community garden is at Hanneman Boulevard and East Lincoln Street on the grounds of the Intermediate Center - a school for third through fifth graders. The idea came from Cari Hadac, a fourth grader at the school who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She thought it would help the community, which also has dealt with other students having serious illnesses, students losing parents, the sudden death of the fire chief and the death of 16-year-old student.
"She always wants people to smile and be happy," Ann Fenley, Intermediate principal, said of Cari.
Cari and fellow fourth grader Eric Albrecht, who lost his father to a heart attack, drew up plans and surveyed students to see what they wanted to include in the garden. A steering committee has helped guide the rest of the process. The committee includes Cari, Eric, fifth graders Tyler Kittleson and Kyle Head and third grader Grace Hanson. Other members are Tyler Kittleson's dad, Craig, who owns Kittleson Landscape in Blue Mounds, and Mick Klein-Kennedy, owner of Wisconsin Landscapes of Blue Mounds, who are donating their time.
On a recent afternoon, Don Thorpe, the father of Haleyem Thorpe, the 16-year-old who died of meningitis, was helping with the paver installation. Many volunteers from the school and community have pitched in and Fenley has been a driving force for the project along with parent Jeanne Louther and the landscapers.
"Her expectations have been far exceeded," said Cari's mom, Shannon Hadac. "She is just really excited for people to have a place to go."
About 175 pavers have been purchased and inscribed with happy words, phrases or quotes. About 55 more are available until May 28. A number of organizations and businesses have made donations and no district money is being spent on the project, which is estimated to cost $30,000.
The money will help pay for this phase of the garden and future improvements and maintenance.
To make a donation, purchase a paver or get more information, see www.happyplacegarden.com or call Louther at 206-0186 or Fenley at 437-2400, ext. 4101.
Craig Kittleson of Kittleson Landscaping marks out the smile in a face during construction of the Happy Place Garden at Mount Horeb Intermediate Center. ANDY MANIS — For the State Journal