Fairhope’s wonderful Walking School Bus Program ended for the school year last week, but Walking School Bus Director Charlene Lee didn’t want to let the year end without thanking people who have been instrumental in making the program a success.

Lee, who herself won the city’s Volunteer of the Year award this year, said she really wanted to thank volunteer Martha Byrd for her help in a beautification effort to the program’s kiosk behind the Fairhope Library.

Lee said she approached Byrd about helping the castle-shaped kiosk look more like a castle, and she said Byrd just ran with it.

“It had the essence of it, but it didn’t have the castle pizazz and I think it has been totally transformed,” Lee said. “Now it looks like what it’s designed to look like, thanks to Martha’s wonderful and creative work.”

Byrd said she took inspiration from the Mosher Castle in Fairhope, which the Fairhope Elementary students got to tour last Thursday. She said she had her husband cut tiles to look like stones and went from there.

“It was an enjoyable project to get to do,” Byrd said. “As I was working on it, people in the community would walk up and ask questions or say nice things, so it was truly a fun thing for me to see people wanting to know more.”

Embedded in the design are various trinkets and toys that both Byrd and Lee said the kids enjoy getting to see.

“I think it really upped the ‘wow’ factor for our little kiosk and all of the children just can’t get over how great their castle is,” Lee said.

Lee said she also called upon Byrd to help her recognize the program’s crossing guards with a special gift - decorated crowns for them to wear.

“It’s just a small way to say thank you to these people who walk with us every day and really make this a wonderful experience for our children,” Lee said.