Our Echo Hill Station is well under way. We have obtained two 8' in diameter Andrew parabolic dishes to be purposed as "whisper dishes" which can be used by children of all ages and abilities. Barnes Manufacturing has been instrumental in acquiring the dishes. The Linn-Mar Design, Engineering and Materials Department will be involved in this transformation. After a safety meeting, students mounted one dish on a steel post in order to test the dishes. Another dish was mounted on a fork lift and yes, you could whisper and hear someone 50' away in the building. Later in the year the dishes were placed 100' apart and they worked very well by listening and by electronic measurement. The precise focal point of the dishes was also identified. The dishes were brought to the park on Dec. 4 and will be transferred to their permanent location in the near future, On Nov. 14 the Echo Satellite was installed. It is a 6' diameter stainless steel sphere. many thanks to the Marion Parks Dept. who helped us install the large orb. You cannot miss it at the Park. Novak and Brannon Monument Company has fabricated the granite tablets for the monument portion and is ready to install them since plaza concrete work is finished. The foundation for the tablets was poured October 30 and the granite is planned to be installed on Nov. 17. The Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association has reviewed wording and graphics for scientific and historical accuracy.
Of course fundraising is still underway. The project estimated to cost about $50,000 has over $42,000 committed to date so we still welcome contributions from companies and individuals who relate to the history, education and economic development this activity has brought to our area. See Erik Miles for more information at info@marionrotary.org. This project highlighting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills is scheduled for Fall construction and Spring dedication.