Carl Steil of Eagle Grove began making pallet signs a couple of years ago. It started as birthday gifts for their grandson, Peyton Woodbeck, and their son, Shawn Tew, who both have birthdays close to Christmas. Peyton’s was a fire-themed pallet while Shawn’s was military. Carl also ended up making one for the Humboldt County first responders – which is located at the law enforcement center there.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in March, Carl decided it was once again time to pull out his brushes and paint and got to work on making another pallet sign, this time giving recognition to our own local heroes.
“He tried to include essential workers… I know it’s not all essential workers, but he tried to get the majority of them.” said his wife, Kim, of his ambitions to make the sign for Eagle Grove. “It’s his way of trying to honor those people…he’s not really an outspoken guy, he just does this kind of stuff instead.”
As Carl gathered the pallet, paint, stencils, and brushes, Kim hopped online and found a couple samples for inspiration. Carl did everything else himself. He spent two weeks, after work, down in the basement, creating this work of art. When it was finished, he wasn’t exactly sure where to put it, but it eventually found its way to the perfect spot…at Gazebo Park in early May.
Carl has been an employee of the City of Eagle Grove for nearly 46 years, so it will probably be no surprise to people when they find out he wanted to do this project on his own time and at his own expense to recognize the local heroes that live here. A fact that many people may not realize, since he likes to do things “behind the scene,” is that for many years he was also responsible for painting/updating the names of Veterans on the wood signs at the cemetery each year.
So while we are all still recommended to social distance, why not take a walk or a drive down Broadway to Gazebo Park. Park your car, or if nobody else is around, get out and take a closer look. We are all appreciative of the sacrifices and risks our essential workers take every day. Thank you, Carl, for showing them our appreciation by the work you did to recognize them.
