• The mural and welcome center signs, designed and painted by Laura Koposko and Jessica Lotman are complete. The colorful signs and murals feature native wildlife and plants, as well as popular regional recreational activities, like kayaking and biking. The art will be installed on the caboose once the project is complete, as they will be advertising its opening. • The rails that we will raise the caboose onto were built recently by a local CSX rail inspector and three community volunteers and YRTC members. • We are currently receiving bids from crane companies for raising the caboose onto rail. We hope to implement this aspect of the project within the next month. • The Auto Collision class from Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center has continued work on the exterior of the caboose, patching and priming the metal and sealing the roof. Their progress is slowing as the weather becomes colder and wet. We hope they will be able to finish the final few days of work on some warm and sunny fall days. The Sprout Fund enriches the Pittsburgh region’s vitality by engaging citizens, amplifying voices, supporting creativity and innovation, and cultivating connected communities. Founded in 2001, Sprout facilitates community-led solutions to regional challenges and supports efforts to create a thriving, progressive, and culturally diverse region. With strong working relationships to many community organizations and regional stakeholders, The Sprout Fund is one of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s leading agencies on issues related to civic engagement, talent attraction and retention, public art, and catalytic small-scale funding. -Emma Strong
