The return of Smokey the Bear to his rightful place at the Grantham Fire Station marks the completion of a beautification project spearheaded by active Grantham Garden Club member Maryellen DeJong and time to write about the back story. The prior raised garden under the sign wasn’t holding water so the flowers were difficult to maintain. That gave Maryellen an idea. She recruited GGC members Amelia Lantz and Jeanne Raymond who met at the site to discuss sustainable options for reforming the garden. They came across a plaque that the sign was the Eagle Project of Luc Gauvin in 2015. The Gauvin's were contacted and gave their okay to rehab the garden and sign. (This post is an opportunity to recognize Luc Gauvin’s project and how much that little piece of land is still so cared for.)
Maryellen made a presentation to the GGC steering committee and asked for funding under $1,000 which was readily approved. Next Maryellen made a presentation to the Grantham Fire Department including Chief Hastings and a room full of volunteer fire fighters. They liked the idea but said the current structure wasn’t stable enough. They took on the responsibility to take down the existing sign and put it back up. When they took down the sign, they left Smokey off until a new, shinier version could be added.
With everything in place except Smokey, Maryellen got to work. She had a soil sample analyzed by UNH Extension Service and ordered flowers through the garden club based on the soil test results and taking into consideration the flower garden had both a north and south facing side. (She thought of everything!)
After the loving attention of Maryellen, Amelia, and Jeanne; the garden club has recently stepped in and taken on the responsibility of watering and weeding of the Fire House garden (along with the civic gardens at the Library, Post Office, Town Hall, and Triangle Garden to their responsibilities.)
Smokey himself has a very interesting history. During World War II, there were limited numbers of firefighters so a campaign was begun to encourage people to help prevent forest wildfires. Smokey was named after a heroic New York City firefighter names Joseph “Smokey Joe” Martin. In 1952 children could write to Smokey to receive a Junior Ranger kit complete with a badge with Smokey’s face embossed on it. During the first three years of the program, 500,000 kids became junior rangers. His inflated image has been a regular for years in the Macy’s Day Parade. He's all over social media and has multiple web pages and an Instagram and YouTube presence.
Similar Smokey’s can be seen in front of fire stations all over the country. I’m happy that he’s back in Grantham. Coincidentally, shortly after Smokey returned to his rightful perch, I learned that August 9, 1944, if the official birthday of Smokey Bear so today is the perfect day to post this story. Happy 82nd birthday, Smokey! And thank you Maryellen and everyone who pitched in for a great small town story.
Maryellen made a presentation to the GGC steering committee and asked for funding under $1,000 which was readily approved. Next Maryellen made a presentation to the Grantham Fire Department including Chief Hastings and a room full of volunteer fire fighters. They liked the idea but said the current structure wasn’t stable enough. They took on the responsibility to take down the existing sign and put it back up. When they took down the sign, they left Smokey off until a new, shinier version could be added.
With everything in place except Smokey, Maryellen got to work. She had a soil sample analyzed by UNH Extension Service and ordered flowers through the garden club based on the soil test results and taking into consideration the flower garden had both a north and south facing side. (She thought of everything!)
After the loving attention of Maryellen, Amelia, and Jeanne; the garden club has recently stepped in and taken on the responsibility of watering and weeding of the Fire House garden (along with the civic gardens at the Library, Post Office, Town Hall, and Triangle Garden to their responsibilities.)
Smokey himself has a very interesting history. During World War II, there were limited numbers of firefighters so a campaign was begun to encourage people to help prevent forest wildfires. Smokey was named after a heroic New York City firefighter names Joseph “Smokey Joe” Martin. In 1952 children could write to Smokey to receive a Junior Ranger kit complete with a badge with Smokey’s face embossed on it. During the first three years of the program, 500,000 kids became junior rangers. His inflated image has been a regular for years in the Macy’s Day Parade. He's all over social media and has multiple web pages and an Instagram and YouTube presence.
Similar Smokey’s can be seen in front of fire stations all over the country. I’m happy that he’s back in Grantham. Coincidentally, shortly after Smokey returned to his rightful perch, I learned that August 9, 1944, if the official birthday of Smokey Bear so today is the perfect day to post this story. Happy 82nd birthday, Smokey! And thank you Maryellen and everyone who pitched in for a great small town story.
Maryellen DeJong and Capt. Hastings
Maryellen and the old Smokey
Maryellen and Amelia
Maryellen giving the garden some tlc
The completed project