Nativity on display
Photo by Walter Sprague/NLJ The new metal nativity scene at Dow Park following is a collaborative project between the Weston County Garden Club, also known as the Dirt Daubers, and the Newcastle High School Saddle and Sirloin FFA.
A new metal nativity scene has been erected at Dow Park following a collaborative project between the Weston County Garden Club, also known as the Dirt Daubers, and the Newcastle High School Saddle and Sirloin FFA.
According to Morgan Loepp, Newcastle High School agriculture and welding instructor, the garden club approached her in spring 2025 with the idea for the display, providing creative direction and specific measurements to ensure that it fit the park planter. The club covered the cost of materials.
“I got to work creating the different coding formats needed for my plasma table in the early fall, cut it out in November and welded most of it myself,” Loepp said. “Coen Tavegie and Tyler Stith aided me in the creation of the back supports for the figurines as well as welding them onto the figurines themselves while I welded the main large structure together (Mary, Joseph, angel, barn).”
Sophomore FFA members in Loepp’s fourth-hour Ag 2 class transported and installed the nativity scene at Dow Park. Loepp said the project was completed for educational purposes and said she hopes the display becomes a lasting holiday tradition for the community.
“I am very proud of how it turned out and the boys that helped in the final construction steps,” she said. “It came together perfectly, and just in time for the holiday season!”