As drivers head down North Bend Way, they’re likely to notice the “Welcome to North Bend” sign looking better than usual.

Thanks to an Eagle Scout project coordinated by Eagle candidate Carter Howell of Snoqualmie, the large rock sign has a whole new lease on life.

A senior at Mount Si High School, Howell is an 11-year Valley resident who has participated in Scouts through Troop 701 since he was a Cub Scout.

The Eagle Award is the highest medal given to a Boy Scout. An Eagle Scout candidate must have a project approved by a Boy Scout committee. The Eagle Project must demonstrate leadership of others and provide service to a worthy institution other than the Boy Scouts. It may be a religious institution, school or the community.

To landscape the sign Howell worked with Nathan Quinton of American Pro-Scapes, Inc. They prepared the design and planned what materials were needed. With the help of Carter’s grandfather, Richard Molter, local businesses were contacted for donations.

On Saturday, March 15, several of Carter’s fellow Scouts, current and former Scout leaders, friends and family members joined in for a soggy day of spreading topsoil, placing rock and planting trees and ground cover.

Supporters included Marenakos, Glacier Northwest, the Nursery at Mount Si, Red-E Soil, Wells Landscaping, Squak Mountain Greenhouse and Nursery, Clayton Littlejohn, Dina Goss, LMP, Patton Financial, Carriage Insurance Agency, FCI Self Storage, North Bend Theatre and The UPS Store in Snoqualmie.