Farmington High Sophomore Revives American Legion Monument

by Joni Hubred-Golden

A stone monument sign in front of the American Legion Groves-Walker Post 346 building on Grand River in Farmington looks a little perkier these days, thanks to a Farmington High sophomore.

Grace Newlin said she noticed the sign was in "major disrepair" on her visits to the Post as a 2012 and 2013 Miss Farmington contestant. Having participated in the pageant this year and last, she knew the Post provides an annual scholarship and other support for contestants.

"They do so much for Miss Farmington," she said of the club's members, "so I thought, why not do something for them?"

Holes needed repair, letters had peeled away, the showcase door was broken and even the American Legion emblem needed some work. Over two weeks, Newlin spent every spare moment scraping, painting and stencilling, as well as patching holes.

“I was completely new to cement,” she said.

Jean's True Value Hardware in Farmington Hills donated new plexiglass for the showcase, and Steinkopf Nursery in Farmington donated red, white and blue flowers. Other Miss Farmington contestants and Cub Scout Pack 263 volunteered to provide finishing touches, by sweeping and raking around the building.