EarthSong XXXV & more siding

EarthSong XXXV took place last weekend with both houses full of celebrants. Part of each conference includes a time for workshops and/or work projects. Here are 4 youth starting to do the siding by the patio: Noah, Oliver, Jeremy and Andrew. The teams had to measure the length of the siding needed as well as use a level to be sure they sighted correctly.



Chris DeRoller at the saw with some of the siding crew looking on, using the measurements from the youth.



Andrew and Jeremy



Oliver and Noah



Kayla



Just look at all they got done



Lea and Decordova working on a hard spot.



Sunday's brunch crowd on the patio and deck - notice the siding on the right. The weather couldn't have been better for graduation.



The ACC, ready for the McGiver's (see next post).

Siding Northside of ACC

Yesterday, the McGiver family came to side again. This time, they were working on the north facing side. Here's Clem, Kai and Kirsten.



They had to cut around outlets and conduits.



Kai & Kirsten on the patio. He's measuring where the siding needed to be cut.



Kai and Clem fitting a board at a tricky point.



At the same time, Mimi was on the roof cutting siding to fit.



Clem, Kirsten and Kai



After lunch, Oliver who was doing childcare for Purchase Meeting's retreat, came over to lend a hand. Here's Oliver, Kai and Kirsten.



Oliver, Kirsten and Kai



Mimi on the ladder with Kirsten holding the ladder.



Kirsten on the ladder with Clem helping hold the ladder.



Almost finished with this section



The McGiver's headed home Saturday evening. The deck and patio area are ready for the next group (4 & 5th graders next weekend!)

Patio completed, Red Jade weeping crabapple happy

Besides the McGiver's putting on siding (see other blog post), we had Powell House Committee members working during their "free time."



Andy Heimer couldn't wait to finish the patio, last worked on during our spring work weekend (see other blog post)



It's like a big jigsaw puzzle.



Bob Houghton stepped in to help.



Andy had time to put steps in. Doesn't it look good? Notice the Red Jade weeping crabapple tree ...



Here's a close up of a blossom. This tree was given in memory of Phil Perry, a PoHo youth grad who died in a canoeing accident several years ago.



The finished product. Thanks to ALL the folks who helped.

Sprinkler House finished

During the spring work weekend, one of the crews worked on the sprinkler house. Here you can see them putting plywood on the ceiling.



Of course, it was easier to work on the ceiling from the tank, so here's Becca, Alex and Brodier posing for the picture.



And Andy cutting the plywood to order.



With the tank on place, there's not a lot of room to maneuver.



Here are Becca, Brodie, Joseph and Alex in front of the sprinkler house. A week later, the final touches -- connecting the sprinkler to the fire alarm was completed.

Siding High

While the Powell House Committee was meeting in Pitt Hall, Clem and Mimi McGiver sided.



Clem brought his scaffolding which made it so much easier!




They kept at it all day on Saturday.



Here's Clem standing on the 1st floor roof.




Sunday -- almost there



Mike and Chris with Clem and Mimi



The McGiver's were all packed up by this time on Sunday afternoon. It looks SO GOOD. Thanks, you two!

Using our space

One of the favorite activities during our spring work weekend is dying Easter eggs.



It's a multi-generational activity.



And well supervised.



The dining room, a great place to make some music.



And the art porch, a place for art!



The Common Room is a great place for youth to gather



The Common Room is a great place to rest, too.

Work weekend - Paving the Patio

Another crew spent their weekend matching flagstones and spaces on the patio area.



David Wood, Noah Pomerselig and Anne Pomeroy doing the exacting work.



The last row in looks like they'll fit. Now the crew needs to put the "dust" in as fill to level them off.



David, Ed Selig and Anne (hidden) nudging the stone into place.



Corners are tricky, to say the least.



Anne and David moving and smoothing the dust.



David, Ed and Ty Griese placing another flagstone. A good job done!