CHALKING HOPE

For a 13-year-old Owatonna girl and her sisters, it was all about delivering a message of hope in the midst of a life storm that has crippled the nation in many ways.
Eva, Lorelei and Mia Chellin chalked the word “Hope” along with a heart under it on their driveway at 306 Woodland Dr. on March 27 as part of a contest through Owatonna Parks and Recreation and the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce. They used a stained glass concept for their design highlighting various bright colors.
“I wanted to have a positive message because everyone is having a hard time right now,” said Eva. “Don’t lose hope, don’t worry about it, it will be over at some point.”
After the girls finished their creation, the mailman came by, spurring yet another idea for them. They chalked a thank you above the hope image to those working hospitals, grocery stores, teachers, mail carriers, truckers and first responders.
For their efforts, the Chellins won $50 in chamber bucks. The girls plan to order some pizza and make a trip to the candy store with their earnings. “They agreed on that pretty quickly,” said their mother, Meagen Chellin.
Meagen helped orchestrate the activity for her kids by showing them some ideas they could do. Eva came up with the design.
Karen Pehrson of the Owatonna Chamber came up with the idea for the chalk contest with Jessica Abrahams of Owatonna Park & Rec. “We wanted to do something where people could get outside, but still practice social distancing,” Pehrson said. “We encouraged them to write inspiring things,” she added.
About 35 families entered the weekend contest, according to Pehrson. “A lot of people were looking for something to do with their children,” she said. “This gave them an idea of what to do.”
Back at the Chellin house, it has been challenging to keep three young girls occupied while being forced to stay at home. In addition to art projects, the Chellins have taken virtual tours of the White House and they even had a dance party in the living room.
“It helps break some of the tension, especially when one of us is having a hard day,” Meagen said.
The family also helped Eva mark her 13th birthday on Sunday by celebrating in quarantine at home. “We pretty much let her rule the day,” Meagen said. And, the newly turned teenager confessed, “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”