Fall Work Weekend IV - painting the outside trim

Tools of the trade.



There were painters working on the trim all weekend. Here's John Kane.



Margie Morgan-Davie (on the roof), Sarah Haga (on the ground) and David Gerhan (on the ladder) - all painting trim. Think of all those windows!



Sometimes it's easier to reach than move the ladder, right Jaime?



Heights don't seem to bother Caleb.



Ian and Caleb standing on sun porch roof to paint the 2nd floor trim.



Margie, Jaime, and Buffy.



The trees really showed their colors for us.



After most volunteers left Sunday afternoon, four of the staff kept going until all the trim was painted. Thanks Buffy and Liseli...



Thanks, Mike...




and Chris.



A weekend well spent.

Fall Work Weekend III - painting the siding and ...

One of the largest tasks of last weekend's work was the siding for the ACC. First, both the trim (see the next blog) had to be painted as well as the siding stained. It was only after that, that the siding started to go up on the building. It was a LENGTHY process. Thanks to all who worked on this project.



Before the weekend began, Buffy had to try out the stain and see how it would go on ... one or two coats. Notice the large pile behind the saw horses -- that's what needed to be stained.




Many F/friends came in shifts to stain for awhile. It was cold when that sun went behind a cloud or the wind blew. Here's Ellie (with her head down) and Heather Wood rolling away. Susan Stillman looks on.



Here's Shannon Young and Jeff Galusha





Isn't that a great system?




Notice the siding is going up!



Here's Erick Lawson and Jaime Mikle working on the siding.



The pile of stained siding is almost "red-y."



All the stainers lining up with the last board to stain.



Here they are, getting into the act for the camera.



Sarah Haga and David Gerhan putting the last board on this section of the Bugg House.



This is the view late Sunday afternoon when all F/friends had finished for the weekend.

Please note, we're looking for volunteers to come up and help finish siding the ACC. Call or e-mail Liseli Haines, our property manager liseli@powellhouse.org

Fall work weekend II - Patio

The remaking of the patio began last Saturday morning with fill being hauled in through the dining room!



Here's several of our volunteers



We want it to drain properly, so it was slow going. Here's Liseli considering the slope with Anne Pomeroy.



Kai checking the level.



Here come the 1st stone up the steps to the deck. Yes, they are VERY heavy.



Then the blue stones were carried back over from where they had been stored since last April. Here's David Wood and Andy Heimer's legs helping to get the 1st one in the right place.




Andy, David and Anne continued to measure, shift the fill and scoot the stones into position.



It was labor intensive and slow going



David measuring again. We want to make sure that F/friends, whether in wheelchairs and ambulatory can get from the sidewalk, up the ramp to the deck into the ACC easily.



Here's how far we got by Sunday afternoon. Doesn't it look great? Thanks, Friends.

Fall work weekend I - from the raft to the ramp

The annual fall work weekend was devoted to the ACC renovations. Today you can see the progression of the ramp which runs from the sidewalk to the deck. The wood for the ramp is recycled from the float! This past summer the float got a facelift with new wood.



Margaret Lew, our designer, is seen here making adjustments to her plans. David and Gabe look on.



We had to remove some of the dirt for the correct rise of the ramp. Yes, that's one of the youth directors shoveling away! Milo is helping Chris.



After the slope was correct, the supports were added. Here's Liseli and Margaret conferring.



Chris DeRoller with Gabe (in red), Noah (in the middle) and David.



Gabe and Chris.



The crew is getting closer to finishing.



Gabe, David and Noah hammering in the last of the nails.



Kai celebrated by riding his unicycle on the completed ramp! Doesn't it look good and the lighter color will make it easier to see for limited vision folk like me.

Ramping up for our annual fall work weekend

The leaves are turning colors and decorating the grass and driveways. And the work continues on the ACC. Beginning this evening, Friends and friends will begin arriving for our annual fall work weekend, contra dance and storytelling in the evening.



Yesterday, CNS began working on the ramp connecting the accessible bedrooms in the new Bugg House with the library and game room.



This is taken from the library. Notice that the door has been widened for accessibility.



Looking from the other direction (from the Bugg House floor), you can see the library straight ahead.

Week 20 - bits and pieces

This photo was taken last Sunday after the Chatham-Summit MM retreat. There are still several trees that haven't turned colors or lost their leaves.



The siding arrived yesterday in preparation of the upcoming work weekend.



Herman, our plumber, continues to work around the building.



Ron, our electrician, putting the panel together.

Next steps

The last step is a long one! These steps for the deck were built last week. They illustrate our reality for fundraising. We are close but not quite there yet. We have less than $100,000 to raise for Part I of the renovations. That's good news ... $90,000 to go and we continue to need your help. Every penny counts.



If you are a part of a monthly meeting or worship group within New York Yearly Meeting, you'll soon be seeing this Powell House Treasure Box. It's full of good ideas to help you help Powell House reach our goal for the ACC. If you have questions, please contact Sandra Beer sandra@powellhouse.org or myself ann@powellhouse.org. We'll be glad to help you. Thanks.