Michael Gallus spent his summers visiting his sister Dorothy’s grave at Pinegrove Cemetery in Sandpoint, and over time he noticed something that troubled him: the cemetery’s directory building was weathered, its paint fading, its condition deteriorating. The 15-year-old Boy Scout decided his Eagle Scout project would be to restore it—a way to care for the place where Dorothy rests and to serve the community at large.
“We wanted to do something in the cemetery because it’s close to her,” Gallus said, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee. Dorothy has been buried there since 2020.
Gallus, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 911 based in Hayden, submitted his project proposal to the Boy Scouts council and received approval in November 2025. The work began in earnest after his parents helped brainstorm ideas with him that July. His initial concept—replacing the cemetery’s war memorial flag poles—proved too costly when the Parks and Recreation Department declined to cover the expense. The directory building became the revised focus, and it proved to be meaningful work.
Community Support Brings Vision to Life
On a recent Sunday, Gallus coordinated twenty other Scouts to help sand, stain, and paint the directory structure. Local businesses stepped up to donate materials. Gibbs Lumber in Hayden, Eagle Manufacturing, and Seright’s Ace Hardware all contributed supplies. Awards Etc. agreed to provide a plaque recognizing the Scouts and donors, while IBC Signs donated an informational sign Gallus plans to install at the Chinese Cemetery across the street.
The refurbished directory will now include maps to help cemetery visitors locate graves and navigate the grounds more easily. Gallus said memories of his sister motivate the work. “She was always so happy; she was always smiling,” he told the Daily Bee.
Honoring History Across the Street
The informational sign Gallus is adding to the Chinese Cemetery reflects his broader vision for the project. That cemetery memorializes Chinese workers who died during the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the early 1800s—an often-overlooked chapter of local and American history. By creating signage that educates visitors about that legacy, Gallus is extending his Eagle Scout work beyond the main cemetery to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of those workers.
A Busy Life Beyond Scouts
Outside of his Scout activities, Gallus maintains an active schedule. He works as a cook at Silverwood and participates in both cross-country and soccer. Despite those commitments, he has prioritized his Eagle Scout project and his interest in pursuing medicine—he has expressed interest in becoming a doctor.
The Pinegrove Cemetery refurbishment represents more than a checklist item toward Eagle Scout rank. For Gallus, it is a tangible expression of love for his sister and a contribution to the place where the community gathers to remember those who have passed. In restoring the directory building and adding historical context to the Chinese Cemetery, he has created a legacy that will serve visitors for years to come.
For more information about community service opportunities and upcoming Bonner County events, residents can check local event listings and contact the Boy Scouts directly.