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--> --> Kamren Ketcham, a fifth-grader at Lincoln Elementary School, smiles Wednesday in response to a compliment paid by instructor Su Rolle, who praised Ketcham's mosaic art. The mosaics will be applied to stepping stones for a new walkway at Ashland's North Mountain Park. Ashland Daily Tidings/DENISE BARATTA Students lend hands to spiral serpent By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings Despite chilly climates, Lincoln Elementary School Blenders were eager to begin working on their mosaic spiral serpent, which will become a permanent fixture at the North Mountain Park Nature Center by this Thanksgiving. Area students from kindergarten through sixth grades are creating the serpent as part of the Environmental Stewardship Program, which allows students the opportunity to engage in a variety of educational programs at the park through a partnership with the Ashland School District. According to Ashland Middle School art teacher Sharon Dvora, the creation of the mosaic serpent is well-timed. "I told them (park officials) I was able to do a mosaic project, and they were preparing a sand play area, so it fit together," Dvora said. The spiraled serpent will feature approximately 100 hand-made mosaic scenes - each as different as the hands that created them. According to Blender classmates Kamren Ketcham, a fifth-grader, and Charlie Bass, a fourth-grader, the project allows them to get out of the classroom and create. "We're going to put a lizard in the middle," Bass said. "And I was thinking of some circles around the edge," Ketcham added. The pair were able to sift through beads, shells, glossy stones, marbles and other items donated by area businesses. Both Ketcham and Bass have definite plans to return when the serpent is complete - Bass noting that he lives just up the hill and is likely to play there often. Kari Gies, education coordinator for the North Mountain Park Nature Center, stated that area students have contributed a lot to the improvement of the parks, and, in return, the park wanted an area designated for children 10 and under to enjoy. "There's no play area for the young kids," Gies said. Gies said that the park didn't want to invest in a formal playground since it wouldn't fit the natural setting that community members have toiled to create. Instead, it was decided a sand play area would be formed with the serpent as an added bonus. Parkgoers will note the serpent spiraling through the sand pit in a matter of weeks. According to Gies, it will be a two-foot high wall with the mosaic tiles fastened to the top creating a colorful bench, unique in every aspect. As students complete their masterpieces, volunteers are needed to put the serpent together. According to volunteer Su Rolle, more help is always welcome. Community members interested in volunteering can call the North Mountain Park Nature Center at 488-6606. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing