Charlie 22 Outdoors has a sign now – a heavy one

Next time you’re driving down Madison Street, take your eyes off the road a half second to check out the new stone sign in front of the Charlie 22 Outdoors building.

Scott Hettinger, executive director of Charlie 22 Outdoors, said planning for the sign began nearly three years ago, back when the organization was still renting the building that was originally a clubhouse for the streetcar workers.

A stone sign made sense because if buying the building didn’t work out the sign could have been moved to another location.

Veteran Steve Maddox, of Carl Junction, volunteered to make the sign.

The 2,100-pound piece Kansas limestone was found in used condition at West Chestnut Monument in Carthage.

Maddox had to chisel off what was originally on the stone before getting started on the Charlie 22 Outdoors logo. Finishing the sign took a little longer than it would have if Maddox hadn’t had to have hand surgery.

Maddox, known for his artistic ability and other works in the area, served in the U.S. Navy, National Guard, and the U.S. Army, from 1974-1989. He left the service with the rank of 1st lieutenant.

“It humbles me when somebody does something like this for us,” says Hettinger.

Charlie 22 Outdoors is a nonprofit organization helping veterans deal with issues such as depression and PTSD. Several improvements have been made to the Clubhouse since it was purchased by Charlie 22 Outdoors in 2023, including a new roof.