May 27, 2015 at 5:01 p.m.
Pieces of history
Pavers offer opportunity to etch memories in stone
Pieces of history
By By Andy Hildebrand-
The walkway is about more than memories of touchdowns and homecoming games, more than Friday night lights. There, etched in stone, are the remnants of moments much more impactful than what takes place between the hashed lines of a football field. The paved bricks are markers of lives lived and lives lost. They're markers of families and graduating classes who long ago left the halls of Rhinelander High School for the highs and lows of adult life.
The bricks, each marked with a name or message, were part of the Hodag Walk of Honor fundraiser that helped make the original renovation of Mike Webster Stadium a reality a decade ago.
Now, with plans for fresh renovations, the Hodag Schools Foundation is giving Hodags past and present an opportunity to make their own mark on the Walk of Honor.
Sue Makris, vice president of the Hodag Schools Foundation, said it's a thrill to add more history to the existing pavers.
"The Walk of Honor was established as part of the initial renovation of Mike Webster Stadium," she said. "In the walkway you will find one-foot squares and two-foot squares that supporters, alumni, graduating students, you name it, who have made (their) mark on Hodag history (have) purchased in support of the foundation."
Funds raised from the Hodag paver sale will again benefit athletes of the future. Makris said they're eying some serious upgrades to Mike Webster Stadium.
"The foundation is now making an effort to contribute more money for the track modification and resurfacing, as well as other upgrades to the stadium area," she said. "We're turning back to that tried-and-true paver sale to get us moving in that direction. The foundation has already contributed $256,000 to those improvements, and that includes giving the district the ability to modify the size of the track as they move forward with their resurfacing project, but we'd like to do more. Purchasing these pavers available is one moderate way people can contribute this effort."
The one-foot pavers cost $150 and the two-foot pavers cost $400. Logos can be added for a modest additional charge.
The pavers aren't just an opportunity for Rhinelander residents to help contribute to the facility upgrade, however. It's a unique way to memorialize memories, friends and loved ones.
While not all of the current pavers have sentimental value, Makris said many hold incredible meaning for those who purchased them.
"It's been very interesting," she said. "Most of the time the driveway gate is locked, but people can go in through the main stadium parking gate and get into the walkway anytime they want to. A lot of people have opted to memorialize a friend or family member and it becomes a very emotional time when they go and see it. We've witnessed families return to town and go to the paver. It's like going to a memorial for that individual."
Rhinelander resident Lynn Verage said her family thought a paver was the perfect way to memorialize her late brother.
"Scott (Verage) died very suddenly at the age of 43," she said. "When money started coming in, people wanted to put it toward a memorial, so we started to think about what he was passionate about. It's not like he suffered from a long illness or anything, so we couldn't donate to a cause like that. Two things stood out within the first week that he died. His friends started to send condolences and they remarked on how he was a talented athlete and (they) loved playing football and basketball with him. They talked about how he bled Hodag green."
For Lynn Verage, signs were starting to point toward a cause that would help give back to Rhinelander schools, and that resolve only strengthened at her brother's funeral.
"A few years ago I had purchased a piece of the gym floor for myself and all my siblings," she said. "At his funeral, his wife had a collection of all of his prized possessions and things that represented who he was. Among all the hunting and fishing items, and pictures of family and friends, was this piece of the gym floor. I was surprised and shocked. Obviously, being a Hodag was a very significant part of his life. It sticks with you for life. After 25 years, he really was still a Hodag. Buying a paver was a way to give back to something that made a difference for Scott. He would be thrilled to benefit this cause. I know our family will (visit the paver) and I hope his friends will. I think it will bring back great memories."
While many people have used the pavers as a way to memorialize loved ones, Makris said many others have dedicated them to memories of their days at Rhinelander High School.
"Some families or individuals have fun with it," she said. "We've had classes get pavers as part of their reunions. There's one up there that says 'Hard as nails, tough as brick, we're the class of '56.' Other people put in their graduation year or the sports they played. It's been really cool. We're hoping that by bringing it back a decade later we can give a whole new group of people the opportunity to show their support, their spirit and contribute to the efforts of the foundation and the school district."
For Verage, that's the exact sentiment she's trying to pass on. Although the paver her family is purchasing will certainly act as a memorial, it's also a tribute to memories made at Rhinelander High School and she said it doesn't take the death of a loved one to remember and honor that ideal.
"Many of those pavers are purchased as memorials, but I would hope that people don't wait to memorialize someone before giving back to a school district where achievements and memories were made," she said. "You should purchase one because you and your family are proud of the (School District of Rhinelander) because I know Scott would have enjoyed sharing this and being a part of it."
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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