By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
One young man’s big ideas have turned into a big deal for the Phantom Lake YMCA Camp of Mukwonago, which has received a huge oversized Adirondack chair courtesy of Jarod Sharp, Wind Lake.
The Muskego High School sophomore planned and directed the building of a Paul Bunyan-esque chair as part of his ongoing Eagle Scout project with Wind Lake Troop 332.
The Big Chair is now in place thanks to a huge volunteer effort to transport it from the Sharp’s Wind Lake home over to camp Oct. 21.
It is expected to become a great tool to help the camp as it builds a “Big Fun!” atmosphere and environment for its campers and guests.
Jarod’s Big Chair is the second Sharp family Eagle Scout project aimed to show appreciation for the fun times the Sharp boys had at scouting camp while growing up.
It is also the second living memorial to deceased relatives that the brothers have crafted.
Jarod’s older brother, Ryker, built a set of naturalist benches for the camp in 2011 as his Eagle Scout project. Ryker’s project was dedicated to the memory of his Aunt Gretchen Peterson DeGarmo, who died the week the Eagle Scout project was approved.
Jarod’s project is in memory of his grandfather, Bruce Peterson, who died in August 2011.
More than 200 hours of planning and volunteer time spread across four weeks were required for Jarod’s Big Chair. It was assembled as a larger-than-life wooden puzzle that took a lot of teamwork to build.
More than 24 volunteers assisted, including many local businesses. Owner Tom Mainus of Mainus Construction, Waterford, donated services to help move the Big Chair with his trailer; owner Jim Dignin of Cedar Shack, Waterford, donated his wood workshop tools to help cut the boards; Ruma Sports of Union Grove made the memorial plates; and Worzella Lumber Company of Franklin gave a discount on the materials.
The Phantom Lake camp had been seeking a way to advertise and capture memories of its campers, explained Lisa Sharp, Jarod’s mom. Now, with the Big Chair ready for branding with the camp’s logo, the Chair can present an iconic branding seen in many future camp visitors’ family photo albums.
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