PoHo ACCessible

Wood by way of Delaware

2009-09-21T17:00:00.010-04:00

Dean Hoover from Lewes, Delaware 12 handy-dandy holders. Can you tell what they hold?

It was one of the projects during a youth weekend. Can you tell where they are?

Here's another view.

Finished product

Yes, they're toilet paper holders. We have enough for all the bathroom stalls in the ACC. Thanks, Dean.

Dean also made this beautiful bench out of cedar from one of our trees that came down several years ago.

Mirror, Mirror on the Walls

2009-09-19T10:41:00.010-04:00

Liseli Haines is having fun putting on the finishing touches to the renovations. This blog will feature most of the newly installed mirrors. See if you can identify which room you are seeing.

This room looks a lot bright with the curtains open.

The mirrors are individually chosen to fit the space.

This photo was obviously taken when it was warmer than it is now.

The "bigger toilet"

Around the corner from the last photo ...

Do you know where this bathroom is? Hint: notice the little tub

Liseli is putting shelving and hooks in the rooms now. Stay tuned.

July 18, 2009 - The ACC Celebration

2009-08-01T15:39:00.016-04:00

It was a wonderful day with close to 150 people dropping by and enjoying the newly improved ACC. A huge thanks to Christine Koster and Katherine Wood, 2 of our staff, who coordinated our celebrations. Walking down from the parking lots, F/friends saw

Most of the photos in this blog were taken by Margery Rubin. THANKS, Marge. They're wonderful.

The table was staffed all day by volunteers of all ages and staff. Chris was ably assisted by Aidan
and Sawyer. F/friends were given schedules and encouraged to find things that interested them. Here are some of the activities.

Blowing bubbles by young and old

If bubbles weren't your favorite, there was always ultimate Frisbee.

or may be face painting

Photo by AD

and an impromptu play using clothes from our dress up closet

Of course, many friends wanted to watch and cheer.

While the activities were going on, our cooks prepared both lunch and dinner with lots of watermelon in between. Here's Anita Thacker with our bread.

Can't you just taste it?

We did our traditional "let's circle up" time and sang a song before we started down the food lines. After lunch, it was more of the same - with activities, a scavenger hung and singing with George and Jean Seiler.

The Seiler's

For supper, we had picnic fare prepared by Sam, Alex and Edie Kramer. After dinner, we had an official time to thank all the people who made the ACC renovation possible starting with Sandra Beer, our fundraising consultant; donors to the cause; volunteers, vendors and staff.

Here's Liseli Haines, our property manager, with Peter Nelson of CNS who was our contractor. After we thanked Peter, he said how much he enjoyed working with all of us. Staff estimates that we had over 1,000 volunteer hours.

It was so much fun that Marcie and Margaret are ready to do it all over again -- well, maybe just phase II - you can see their joy in this photo.

A good day was had by all.

Unwinding projects

2009-07-11T13:55:00.007-04:00

It's the annual long weekend for Unwinding -- from school, jobs and other responsibilities.

It is also the time for several work projects during the weekend. But first, the Unwinding ... after they removed the sofas from the game room. Doesn't it look relaxing?

Some of the other work projects include creating this mural in the library. This is Friday's crew.

Saturday's crew has continued creating ... You'll see the finished product next weekend at the Celebration.

One of Friday's projects was creating this walkway from the breezeway between the library door and Hogo. This will make Jen Gorman, our housekeeping manager much happier -- less mud.

You've seen the last step in several incarnations. The youth added the slate today - so when they're going barefoot, they don't have to walk on the stones. Now we just need a stonecutter to finish off both ends. Any volunteers?

We also had a group working on the 2nd floor siding. There are only a couple of strangely shaped pieces left to do.

This is our ACC. Thanks to everyone: children and youth, $$ contributors, work crews, individual volunteers who have come through this year long process as well as the wonderful professionals who created structure out of Margaret Lew's drawings. Bless you all.

A Year Ago and Today

2009-06-27T11:54:00.008-04:00

As the rains continued to come down over the last 2 weeks, it took me back to last year when I was fretting about the rain slowing up the renovation process. Here we were in the 4th week of June and this is how far we had gotten? Is that all? Take a look at these photos and remember.

The sun porch floor is in the foreground.

looking towards the dining room

It rained so often this year that when Jen mowed, it created a labyrinthian site. This is week 54.

How we look today - week 56.

First floor siding finished! And stepping out

2009-06-26T15:48:00.010-04:00

Last weekend Liseli worked on the last steps off the deck.

She found larger rocks to fill in after deciding on the shape of the last step.

Finished product.

Between youth conferences and the recent rainstorms, Chris spent part of her time siding. Here she is working on the last section above the patio.

Mike putting on the last board - a very strange shape up in the corner.

The finished bits and pieces of the first floor siding are easily seen here - and did you notice that the grass seed has sprouted? It won't be long before Jen has to mow it.

EarthSong XXXV & more siding

2009-05-31T10:25:00.009-04:00

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

2009-05-31T09:34:00.017-04:00

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

2009-05-22T10:56:00.009-04:00

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

2009-05-20T15:57:00.008-04:00

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

2009-05-20T15:00:00.007-04:00

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

2009-05-13T15:23:00.011-04:00

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

2009-05-08T10:16:00.009-04:00

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!

spring work weekend continued - the bunk bed crew

2009-05-05T10:04:00.007-04:00

The last post featured the "siding team," we'll go inside for this post and watch the progress of the "bunk crew." Here's Chris DeRoller and Barbara measuring in the orange room.

The female crew posed for this picture.

Making sure it's straight.

Nora marking the wall after she measured.

It's almost finished in this shot. This bunk bed was actually used Saturday night for sleeping the sleep of the contented but exhausted (see other posts to come) -- all done in one day. Hooray!

Easter work weekend - Siding

2009-04-15T16:29:00.012-04:00

You can see where we started last Saturday. George is cutting and Kayla is holding.

We had a couple of work crews for the siding. Here's Mimi, Shannon, Harrison, Alan, Kai & Joseph all in a line.

Harrison and Julie started on the north side.

Joseph up close with his hammer.

It's getting taller ...

Rick making sure the siding piece fits.

Mimi at work.

Julie and Shannon working around the windows and doors.

Yes, it was cold EVEN in the sunshine!

Harrison at the saw.

Doesn't it like good?

We're getting there! If you like to side, e-mail or call Liseli Haines our property manager. We could use your help. liseli@powellhouse.org

Marching Along

2009-03-25T14:23:00.012-04:00

Here comes the new water-saving washing machine.

Liseli Haines and Jen Gorman study the instructions.

Jen, our housekeeping manager, runs the 1st load -- a comforter.

Weekend work projects continue. Siding away!

Another weekend found Bob Lohaus fixing a corner of the roof while the clerking workshop went on in Pitt Hall.

The art porch now has an art sink. Tiling still to go.

Spring planting is just around the corner, thanks to the wonderful sun porch.

Tiling, grouting and plumbing are now finished in the downstairs accessible bathroom.

The sprinkler tank house continues. It's ready for the door.

Scott was working today on the heat source for the sprinkler house. The tank is just to the left of the door (you can see part of the new door on the right).

Carpet, bed & sprinkler tank home - wk 39

2009-02-27T14:13:00.008-05:00

4

Work continues on the sprinkler shed. Here's Liseli cutting insulation.

Trimming and putting it up on the north wall.

While Liseli was doing the insulation, Ron Peterson was working on the electricity to the shed.

It's just about done.

Meanwhile, carpeting for the ramp ...

Doesn't it look good?

And lastly, the 1st built-in bunk ready for use tonight!

The last 10 days

2009-02-22T12:07:00.009-05:00

Remember the sprinkler tank? It's insulated home is coming along slowly. Much of the insulation is in place now, so Liseli brought forth the plywood! She set up a workspace just outside.

Thanks to Bill Monteverdi for coming over this weekend and helping put the plywood in place. Here's Bill balancing on top of the tank. And yes, it was cold outside.

Liseli cutting plywood to size.

By this morning, they had the plywood on the east side done and much of the "front" wall. You can see some of the insulation above the tank.

Meanwhile, more work was happening inside the ACC. Rick Townsend has been sanding and touching up the walls in the bedrooms as well as getting the trim sanded, primed and painted.

"Prime" window in the yellow room.

Chris Koster, known for her yummy bread (she's one of our cooks), came over last weekend and applied a coat of polyurethane to the trim in the upstairs hallway. The wood is so lovely. Thanks, Chris.

Rick, a professional painter, cutting in the orange. He makes it look so easy! Thanks, Rick. As you know, we have wonderful volunteers who come and work a few hours or a few days as their schedules allow.

Stay tuned ... the spring work weekend is coming up in April and that's the time for the siding if it's not snowing.

SIGN UP EARLY. Beds go fast. www.powellhouse.org

Major Thaw and

2009-02-13T14:02:00.006-05:00

It warmed up enough earlier this week for all the snow to slide off the dining room roof -- unfortunately, right on the ramp ... and wouldn't you know that just 2 days before a work crew from "night things" had it all cleared!

The warm up did give Margaret Lew a chance to finish up some of the benches! Here's the close up.

We can't wait for spring so that we can try them out.

Inside, Chris started grouting the accessible bathroom.

as well as continuing the bunk in the lilac room that another work crew had started.

Now, we just need the plywood. We had 4 more bunks to build. Any volunteers? Call Liseli or Chris if you can help. Chris has the plans.

Week 35 - beginning built-in bunks, scraping, staining ....

2009-02-07T16:06:00.011-05:00

The 8 & 9 graders attending "Night Things" this weekend had work projects to help the renovations. Here's a group counting more coins.

Painting signs for the doors downstairs.

This sign even looks hot!

The crew began to build a bunk in the lilac room, always measuring and checking the level.

Next step for the bunk.

Another group scraped the floor downstairs -- finding paint, grouting, and drywall mud.

Here's the crew that wanted to be outside. They got rid of most of the ice and snow from the deck.

Meanwhile, Liseli was working on the insulation for the sprinkler tank.

You can see Liseli's legs. She's putting the insulation in the ceiling and the tank is a good place to sit.

Earlier this week, Rick Townsend and Liseli applied several coats to the wood trim upstairs and downstairs.

Cherry Wood partitions, hand rails & snow

2009-01-30T11:07:00.007-05:00

Work has slowed down for us and the ACC. The highlights for weeks 33 & 34 were the addition of the cherry wood partitions in the bathrooms. Like much of the trim, the wood was from the Powell House property, having been cut & milled over 4 years ago. CNS made the partitions. This is the view in the bigger bathroom upstairs.

This is in the larger bathroom downstairs in the new wing.

The wooden railing was replaced with the permanent one.

Now, we just need the carpet!

The snow continues to fall here at Powell House. It's a winter wonderland, indeed.

Sun Tunnels and

2009-01-11T09:40:00.010-05:00

We're not finished but getting closer. Here you can see a sun tunnel sprouting from the ceiling in the upstairs hallway. What a help! We all need more Light, right?

Drywall dust raining down.

Putting in the tunnel hardware.

The hallway in the daytime. Isn't it great? All that Light ....

We've also been moving mattresses and beds around, working on the final configuration in the new rooms. Here's Jen Gorman with some expert help.

More expert help going down the stairs.

The corner room downstairs with some of those mattresses!

Chris has gotten more tiling done in the downstairs little bathroom. There;s another wall to do.

A view from the sun porch. It's a great place to hang out ... the floor is nice and warm and the sunlight wonderful.

3,000 gallon water tank installed

2009-01-10T19:08:00.006-05:00

Waiting concrete floor in the right side of the tractor shed.

The tank arrived early in the morning.

Then the fun began.

There was lots of maneuvering, using fulcrums, wedges, a handy front loader.

The tank in its new home. We'll be insulating the room before the water is piped in for the sprinkler system.

Remember that diesel tank we thought was big?: It's all about perspective.

Concrete pad laid for sprinkler tank

2008-12-29T09:28:00.007-05:00

One of the tasks that Mike, Chris, Buffy and Liseli did when WinterSong was cancelled was to clean out half of the tractor shed. We're having to use half of it for the water storage tank of the sprinkler system to the ACC. You may recall that the riding mower, snow blowers, and camping equipment was stored here.

The concrete was poured on December 16th. That's mostly ice on the ground!

CNS had prepared the area for the concrete.

Let the pouring begin! The diesel tank in the foreground is for the tractor.

This is the same crew that poured the concrete for the new Bugg House. Quite a change in the weather from the summer!

Almost finished.

The concrete cured, the tractor shed is waiting for the 3,000 gallon tank to be installed next week.

Red Oak Flooring Finished after WinterSong weekend

2008-12-28T10:09:00.010-05:00

The floor was sanded by staff: Here's Mike Clark with the sander. And no, my camera isn't dirty, it's the dust in the air!

Margaret Lew with a hand sander.

Chris DeRoller checking for rough spots .

Liseli Haines sanding in the hall for the last time.

Then came the clean up before the polyurethane was applied. Mike is handy with the vacuum, isn't he?

The yellow room after 3 coats of polyurethane

The finished landing: room 1 is to the left.

week 28 - snow and ice slow us down

2008-12-17T10:57:00.008-05:00

The beginning of the week saw soft snow. The sprinkler installation continued as did the trim work.

The ACC with a dusting. But then on Thursday, the ice storm hit and all work on the ACC renovations stopped. The following pictures were taken by Buffy Curtis.

Ice clung to everything.

Yet, there was beauty.

Lots of limbs and small trees down. This one is in front of Knoll House.

Clean up is still going on. Electricity was restored on Sunday night around 8 pm just in time for the sprinkler folks to come on Monday!

wk 26 & 27 -- the deck continues

2008-12-06T09:05:00.005-05:00

Whenever the weather cooperates (no rain or snow), Chris DeRoller is out there, working on the deck. When the 4th & 5th graders were here, Margaret Lew came up and they worked on the benches. This photo shows the creativity of these 2 women in getting electricity to their power tools!

More of the benches are getting their backs on.

Fine craftsmanship in the corners.

A good place to rest and reflect. Thank you, Chris and Margaret!

wk 27 - wood trim inside

2008-12-05T12:24:00.009-05:00

A few years ago at one of our annual work weekends, several Friends rolled huge logs from downed trees up to the central lawn to await a sawyer. These trees died when the new septic tank was put in north of the Pitt Hall library. The sawyer came and made lumber out of the trees. We stored the lumber in the garage to "season." It's now ready for use -- you can see the beautiful butternut and cherry boards above. It is being used for the trim around the doors and windows.

in the sun room

in the bedrooms

around the open window from the art porch to the common room.

The trees, planted by Wilson Powell when he first homesteaded this land in Columbia County continue to provide beauty and connection to those of us crossing the threshold of the ACC. CNS finished downstairs this week and will do the trim for the upstairs next week.

Weeks 26 & 27 -- Red Oak Flooring

2008-12-04T15:14:00.007-05:00

Last week, CNS started to put in the flooring on the 2nd floor of the Bugg House. Here's the red oak boards waiting on the sun porch. The 4th & 5th graders helped to move the boards upstairs to the green room which was being used as the staging area.

The yellow room

In the hall -- I'm standing in the door of the lilac room to take this photo.

The finished hallway. Straight ahead is the green room. Room 1 is behind and to the left. The open door you see leads into the big bathroom in the new wing.

Finished laying the floor in the orange room.

Tiling the bathrooms

2008-11-20T11:30:00.007-05:00

Last weekend also saw Friends grouting the tile in the big bathroom upstairs.

Paul Nowak, Ellen Harris-Braun and Chris DeRoller making the plan.

Ellen testing the grout!

Paul making sure the consistency was just right.

Finished product.

After the big bathroom was finished upstairs, Chris moved downstairs and started tiling again. This time it's in the accessible (smaller) bathroom.

Sunday, Chris came back and continued tiling in the little bathroom downstairs. The renovations continue.

First Floor Priming and Staining Doors

2008-11-16T13:34:00.016-05:00

Saturday found several of us either painting or staining as well as tiling (see tomorrow's blog).

Here's Chris Koster beginning to apply the stain.

Katherine Wood and Chris Koster finished the doors upstairs in the new wing. Don't they look great?

Here's Tim sweeping the ceilings before we applied the primer.

The group in the art porch -- David Gerhan on left; Julia Giordano & Kayla on right.

Good thing David has long arms!

Julia and Kayla working on the walls.

At another 1st floor entrance, Denise Sherman, Mike Clark and Anita Paul prime the walls.

Denise in the southwest bedroom.

David reaching for the wall.

Katherine and Ann primed the larger bathroom downstairs on Sunday.

The art porch primed and ready for its coat of paint.

Sunday morning Mike started painting the ceiling.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

2008-11-13T11:48:00.015-05:00

The dining room of the ACC has become a major staging area for all kinds of work: carpentry, plumbing, electrical ....

Liseli continued tiling on Monday in the downstairs bathroom and the tiling looks great.

After the tiling was finished for the "behind the fixtures area", Herman and his crew put in the sinks and toilets downstairs.

Meanwhile, Chris is working out the design for the upstairs bathroom.

It's almost done.

Looking for bathroom fixtures in room 1 -- note those beautiful blue walls.

New sinks!

More doors hung ....

Beds made -- that's Peg behind there.

Rooms vacuumed, thank you Jens.

Mopped, thank you Natalie.

Mattresses and box springs hauled from the basement of Pitt Hall -- thank you Natalie and Lucas. Then they put the beds together.

Like this ...

And this is the dining room at 5 pm on Wednesday, an hour before Friends Seminary's 70 9th graders showed up for their retreat! Thanks to one and all.

The Bits and Pieces of last weekend's work

2008-11-13T09:25:00.009-05:00

Besides the tiling and the painting, Friends were busy doing more electrical work and cleaning up from the renovation work. Here's Tom working in the soon to be yellow room.

Mike running the vacuum downstairs.

Ron Peterson, our volunteer electrician, working in the bathroom upstairs.

Steve wiring downstairs near the ramp -- corner of library is on the right.

Erin took the papers off the windows. They were still sticky!

Steve sitting down on the job ... so to speak.

Chris on her hands and knees with Mike observing ... supporting not supervising!

Brian Bean working in the soon to be green room. Thanks to one and all for all the work of the weekend. We love you!

Tiling last weekend and week 24 - today

2008-11-11T09:59:00.014-05:00

Last Friday, Janet Hough started arranging tiles for the Bugg House big bathroom downstairs.

Then Liseli started putting tiles in the shower.

Saturday she was joined by Noah and they started on the walls around the toilets and sinks.

After the weekend's work, Liseli came back on Monday to do more. The toilets and sinks go in today.

Here's Paul Nowak cutting tiles for the little bathroom upstairs.

Here's the finished product -- a combined effort of many people.

Now for the tiling in the "bigger bathroom" (as opposed to the little and big - all upstairs). Here's Andy Heimer holding the tile cement container while Noah stirs it up.

Noah and Andy at work.

After the "easy" tiles were in, Andy started cutting the tiles that fit around the toilets.

Here's Andy cutting more tiles.

After the floor was finished, Chris started working on the design for the walls.

The finished product! Hooray! Hats off to all those who made our bathrooms usable!

Second Floor Paint Job

2008-11-09T15:11:00.017-05:00

This weekend we again had wonderful volunteers to join in with the staff with the expressed purpose of painting and tiling. Here are the transformational photos of the 2nd floor in the new Bugg House. Remember that the drywall and "mud" finished up just a few days ago.

Anola getting the walls ready for paint. So much dust and so little time ... would you believe this became the orange room?

After the primer coat of paint dried, Andy starts with the orange paint... remember those creamsicle bars? That's the color.

Chris rolling orange.

Here is the orange room this morning.

Ed starts on the blue room -- room 1 in the old numbering system.

Primer going on in the "bigger toilet" upstairs, thanks to Buffy, Ed and Liseli.

Buffy painting the hall white.

Kayla touching up the lilac room.

The saga of the yellow room -- Janet and Chris working on the dust.

After priming the walls, Mike pours out the "moonlight" color of yellow while Erin prepares to paint.

Noah poses for this photo last night.

The yellow room this morning.

Here comes the green room ... with Ed, Noah, Jim and Chris.

The finished product.

Insulation, dry wall and mud

2008-11-07T13:22:00.012-05:00

This has been a busy week with sub contractors and staff coming and going.

A view from the art porch towards the dining room -- lots of dry wall stacked up and ready to go.

All the insulation is in! A view from the 1st floor of the new Bugg House

Dry Wall in the upper bedroom.

The before of room 1 -- the fire code now requires us to remove the door to Hogo.

Mid-point for room 1.

Room 1 today -- same wall where door was.

Looking into the larger bathroom in the new Bugg House 1st floor.

The "mud."

The stilts really helped! There are at least 3 coats of mud on the dry wall now.

The little bathroom upstairs in the new wing.

Stepping Up

2008-11-06T10:11:00.007-05:00

This past Monday and Tuesday were gorgeous as seen from this vantage point across Lea Pond. The fall weather called to us -- and we, as staff responded in a variety of ways. I took my camera and went for a walk with my dogs and cats around the pond and in the campground. Chris and Mike, youth directors, decided this was perfect weather to put in new steps leading down to the ACC from the sidewalk.

You can see the old steps in the foreground.

They worked at a good clip and even had time to vote!

If it didn't fit just right, Chris made it fit by using a chisel on the wood and her hands scraping dirt out of the way.

Finished product. Thanks Chris and Mike.

Solar Thermal panels are up!

2008-11-05T10:21:00.007-05:00

On Monday, Sun Volt Inc began to install the 6 solar thermal panels.

Thank goodness, the rains held off.

The tank on the right is the new solar re-heater for our hot water.

The supports are in place now for maximum solar exposure.

They are almost ready to heat our hot water ... a few more pipes inside the building to connect it all -- that's for today, Wednesday.

Week 22 -- Insulation at last

2008-11-02T13:44:00.006-05:00

Other work being done on the inside of the ACC stopped while the crew put the insulation in.

One of the rooms upstairs.

Another bedroom.

Several Friends continue to work on the benches for the deck. It's looking good.

Fall Work Weekend V

2008-11-02T11:04:00.013-05:00

There were lots of smaller tasks besides siding, the ramp, painting the trim and the patio stones. Here are Kai and Claire working on benches for the deck.

Bob Lohaus lending his expertise electrically.

Jamie and Erick in a quiet moment. Our work weekends are multi-generational. There is something for everyone to do.

Here's Sam filling some potholes.

Some of the youth harvested autumn olives. They made great smoothies!

Oh, and the dishwasher needed repairs.

And the floor to the upper room needed to be nailed down. This could be called the attic!

The steps getting nailed down, too, thanks to Holden and Donald.

The multi-generational Wood family after the work weekend was over: Katherine, Aidan, Heather, David, Ellis, and Debby.

Fall Work Weekend IV - painting the outside trim

2008-10-25T15:40:00.016-04:00

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 ...

2008-10-25T14:24:00.013-04:00

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

2008-10-24T15:36:00.011-04:00

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

2008-10-22T14:25:00.013-04:00

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

2008-10-17T10:55:00.005-04:00

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

2008-10-16T09:10:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-03T14:14:00.004-04:00

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.

Week 18 - finishing carpentry

2008-10-02T10:50:00.006-04:00

This is a photo from a few weeks ago -- remember the wall that was between the dining room and the new art porch? We had volunteers remove most of the wall.

This week, the carpenters removed the the studs after making sure of the support. This photo is taken from the dining room.

Looking the other way into the dining room -- it really opens up the space. Just imagine you are in high school and it is the weekend of WinterSong in December ... you are in the buffet line on the art porch and will walk into the dining room from here instead of from the Common Room.

CNS is fnishing off the windows and door frames this week, too.

We're geting closer.

Liseli and Mike are waiting for the 2nd bid on the sprinkler system -- that needs to be installed, then the insulation ....

How do we light a match under this heavily regulated system? PRAY

Sub flooring - week 17

2008-09-26T10:31:00.007-04:00

Carpenters are working on framing details, so much of their work is hard to see for this week. Here's the visible ...

Cover plates for the toilets in the west big bathroom. Notice the new sub flooring that is over the framing.

Another view in the bathroom. New sub flooring and the 2 showers are in place now.

Draft Electrical Permit

2008-09-20T09:52:00.005-04:00

Ron Peterson continues to work away at our electrical needs for the ACC. This is a photo of the radiant heating wires coming together near the sunroom (to the right).

Wiring coming from the 2nd floor to behind the Common Room chimney.

Ron pulling the wires in the west big bathroom

It's here! The draft electrical permit. Thanks a million, Ron.

Week 16 - running water to the 2nd floor

2008-09-18T14:25:00.008-04:00

This is the view from the big toilet "west" towards the little bathroom. This new, big bathroom will have 2 showers and 3 toilets in it plus the sinks. Now to get the water from the well.

Herman, who is our sub-contractor for the plumbing, is connecting pipes for water to the 2nd floor of the ACC. He's in the dining room.

They decided to run the pipes through the ACC kitchen, through the wall to the left to the water tank.

Finished product. Now to put the jars back on the shelf.

Upstairs, the carpenters worked to make the little bathroom ready for the plumbing. They extended the left wall to the hallway, changing the doorway to room 1. The window view is towards the ultimate field.

The new bathtub in place!

Shingles, Windows & Pipes

2008-09-10T13:47:00.010-04:00

Plumbing for the newly improving bathrooms upstairs.

Making ready for the windows.

This glass door is going into the sunroom.

The finished product in the bedrooms of the 1st floor new Bugg House.

Shingling the roof over the 1st floor of the Bugg House (where the new windows are)

Shingles done!

Getting the ACC ready for Planning weekend

2008-09-07T14:07:00.009-04:00

This weekend the Powell House Committee took a couple of hours away from committee meetings to help get some rooms ready for the youth program's first conference next weekend -- Planning. Here is Zosia Raven and Aldona Januszkiewicz sweeping up after a rainstorm.

Chris DeRoller and Laura Higgins (in red) worked to get the library cleaner so that furniture from the game room as well as plumbing fixtures could be stored there for the 1st floor of the Bugg House.

Laura moved into the game room with her vacuum. Mike Clark is wiping down the furniture .

Lucas Braun, Kai Pisila, Lee Exman and Oliver Bacon moved the furniture into the library.

Now, the Common Room has been swept, thanks to Luas Braun.

Oliver Bacon and Lee Exman carry in one of the rugs for the Common Room.

After the rugs were in place, they tacked up plastic to keep the work dust out of the Common Room. Kai Pisila on lfet with Oliver Bacon looking out. Lee Exman is in the background.

The Common Room and the game room are now ready for the 8-12th graders who will be arriving on Friday. Pray for sunshine!

Some framing & plumbing - wk 14

2008-09-07T10:10:00.009-04:00

After Labor Day, Mike Clark and Chris DeRoller continued to work on the deck. Here's Mike checking it out.

Chris showing Erin Clark how to use the drill.

The plumber started his work this week. This is the beginnings of the new bathrooms from the old.

Remember the removing of the old roof in room 3 last weekend? CNS came in and framed the bedrooms. Here are the rafters below the new & old roof.

The chimney is getting framed in, too.

Another crew was working on the corner where the new roof met the old.

After CNS left on Thursday, we put the tarp over the part of the roof that didn't have the snow shield since we knew that hurricane Hannah was coming this weekend.

Thursday was also Peter Nelson's 65th birthday. Chris baked him a cake and only frosted part of it to parallel the ACC renovations! And staff sang the Powell House "birthday song" to him, too. A good time was had by all.

Work on the ACC - part 6

2008-09-05T15:12:00.009-04:00

Besides the deck, electricity, removing the old roof, getting rid of the mold (see other blogs), we also had F/friends getting some old Bugg House fixtures ready to go in the new building.

Anne Sombor, Shannon Young and Kathy Hinton working on more tiles for the bathrooms. These tiles were rescued from the old Bugg House and needed the old adhesive removed.

Erick Lawson wrestling with the old plumbing fixtures with May Lyle holding on.

left to right, back to front: Kathie Scanlon, Tanner Froats (blue hat), Carson Burns (in red), Audrey Froats, Carolyn Beer (in blue) with Maia Murdock showing off their clean tiles.

Faith Brzostoski and Jacky Burns cleaning a sink for re-use.

Chris DeRoller and May Lyle in a quiet moment.

Carson Burns and Tanner Froats with clean tiles.

There were over 50 people here last weekend helping the renovation of the ACC move along. Thank you, thank you all!

Work on the ACC - The Coming of the Deck

2008-09-05T13:52:00.012-04:00

Last weekend another crew worked on the deck for the north side of the dining room of the ACC. It was definitely a community project as you can see from these photos.

This is what it looked like Saturday morning before the crew began. The upside down containers are covering the concrete posts that was poured the week before.

Stan Raven's tools of the trade.

Margaret Lew, our wonderfully gifted designer and Stan re-working the plans for the deck.

Several people took hoes and picks to lower the ground next to the building. Here's Anne Sombor working while Chris DeRoller encourages.

The deck will extend around the patio area toward Phil Perry's tree. Chris and Bing Rao are getting it ready so that the deck can be attached. Margaret Lew is showing Joseph McKenney-Barschall his next task while Tom Rothschild takes a break from doing electrical work

How many F/friends does it take to plan a deck?

Here's another crew creating the beams for the deck. Glen Bibler is closest to the camera with Bing next to him.

Joseph cutting corners (on purpose)!

Lucas Braun nailing the wood together. Kai Pisila is to the left, then Jens Braun.

By Sunday afternoon, the deck sub-structure was in place and the first board of the deck was placed next to the dining room wall.

Aldona Januszkiewicz and Margaret Lew continued working through Monday along with Mike Clark and Chris DeRoller. Watch for week 14's photos.

Work on the ACC -- De-molding

2008-09-04T15:14:00.010-04:00

By now you know we've had a very wet summer. Add the fact that the ACC hasn't been opened up and used, either. The end result is that we found mold in the ACC kitchen and behind the Common Room chimney in the wall. Several F/friends pitched in last weekend to remedy this problem. This photo shows under the pot sink in ACC.

The cleaning crew had to take everything off the shelves and out of the cupboards and drawers to get rid of the mold. Kathie Scanlon and Chris Koster are out of the photo but you can see Ella Holmes at the sink and Audrey Froats to the right.

Everything is clean!

The pantry and freezer as well as this 2-door refrigerator are spotless. Thank you, thank you. Now on to the wall behind the Common Room.

Here's Erick Lawson on the ladder, Oliver Bacon and Tanner Froats tearing off the outside layer to get at the mold.

Here's Erick again.

Neil Murdock and Reminy Bacon cleaning up the area.

This is looking towards the laundry area of the new Bugg House. Erick is about finished, I think.

Wrok on the ACC -- wiring for electricity

2008-09-04T14:06:00.010-04:00

Last weekend we were blessed to have several Friends work on the wiring in the new sections of the ACC. The crew was headed by Ron Peterson, seen above. We thank all our volunteers for their expertise and hard work. Here are some of the electrical-types from the weekend ....

Aldona Januszkiewicz wiring a 1st floor room

Jim Bacon working upstairs.

David McKenney-Barschall and his dad, Alan McKenney working on the wiring in the corner bedroom of the new Bugg House.

Brooks Rao can be seen through the window opening. Other electricians confer: Tim Johnson, Ron Peterson and Tom Rothschild.

Jon Savory retrieving wiring from Ron's van.

Ron checking on Jon's work. Notice the old red siding in addition to the green. This photo was taken from the art porch, formerly part of the patio.

More electrical work will be done this coming weekend!

Work on the ACC -- Old room 3's transformation

2008-09-03T14:50:00.011-04:00

This is the "before" photo. I'm standing in old room #3 which was at the corner upstairs and had a door leading outside to the roof. The room had to be dis-assembled including the roof! We're looking north towards Pitt Hall.

So Thursday night before the work weekend began, Liseli, Buffy and Aldona Januszkiewicz began. CNS had put yellow marks on what needed to come down. We're looking towards the new 2nd floor Bugg House (west).

Liseli is having way too much fun! Notice the yellow marking.

Saturday morning, a crew of 6 or so began removing the shingles from the old roof over room 3. Here's Mike. Notice CNS's new roof over the old. (see other posts for the outside views)
Photo by Andy Heimer

Of course, what Mike, Andy Heimer and Neil Murdock knocked or scraped down had to be picked up and thrown into the dumpster. Here's Bing Rao picking up the pieces of the shingles and roof decking. Chris and Faith also helped with this.

minus the shingles and decking -- rafters are next.

from room 3 -- Mike, Andy and Neil. Faith is outside.

Finished. We're looking towards the old room #2.

Work on the ACC, part I -- the Big Toilet

2008-09-03T10:24:00.011-04:00

This is how far along we were before the work weekend. Doesn't the new tile look good?

On Saturday, there were about 10 people coming in and out doing various tasks. Here Audrey Froats, Mia Murdock and Anne Sombor are cleaning the walls before putting primer and then new paint.

Tanner Froats putting primer on the walls and window sill. Unseen but working hard were Kathie Scalon, Erin Clark and ....

Kayla Clark and Faith Brzostoski adding paint -- yes, it is white -- clean white!

Neil Murdock getting the 1st toilet in right.

Buffy Curtis painting the panels for the bathroom while Liseli takes a rest.

On Sunday, Liseli and Any Heimer working on the partitions. Notice the beautiful newly painted walls and no drips!

The finished product! And everything works!

Work While the Sun Shines

2008-08-30T09:42:00.006-04:00

Ron Peterson, on the right, has been here all week as our volunteer electric an. When part of the wall was removed, they found damp wood and mold, so Liseli and Ron are conferring with Pete Nelson, Jr. over the problem. You can see the bricks of the Common Room fireplace which is on the other side of this wall.

A new view from the 2nd floor of the new Bugg House.

Joining the two roof sections.

Trimming the roof decking the hard way.

The ACC is ready and waiting for the Friends who are coming to volunteer this weekend.

Deck Beginnings and Neighbors

2008-08-28T09:28:00.010-04:00

The wonderful machine made it so much easier. A huge thanks to our neighbors, Lynn Cross and Ted Minor for the loan of this machine as well as to Sean who so ably handled it!

Margaret Lew is seen here, working on the ramp that attaches to the deck on the north side of the ACC dining room.

Erin Clark weighing in with a sono tube which will hold the cement.

Liseli making sure the deck supports are level.

Our Youth Directors, Mike and Chris, with one batch of the 1,200 pounds of cement mix used to fill the post holes. A huge thanks to QIVC for the loan of their cement mixer.

Here's the 1st tube done.

Liseli, Chris and Mike working on the next tube. All this is in preparation for this coming weekend when we'll have lots of volunteers here for our work-on-the-ACC weekend.

The ACC Chimney Rises

2008-08-27T13:06:00.007-04:00

Last Friday and Saturday, the mason extended the chimney. This chimney is used by the fireplace in the Common Room of the ACC.

The weather continued to be perfect!

This photo was taken from the tractor shed.

A job well done.

Summer Days

2008-08-22T15:06:00.008-04:00

Week 12 was sunny most of the week as seen by this photo of Lea Pond early one morning

Putting on the fascia board and the strip facing for the lower Bugg House roof.

The lifting of the first pieces of roof decking. Good thing he likes heights!

Enclosing the chimney casing. The mason arrives today to begin the chimney extension.

More decking on its way up and onto the rafters.

Days end -- roof enclosed -- good job done and no rain!

Rafters over the Sunroom

2008-08-19T15:48:00.005-04:00

Monday was mostly a washout. Here's the Bugg House waiting for the rain to stop

CNS was able to work for an hour this morning, then the rains came. Aren't the ruts impressive?

Finally, more rafters -- this time over the sunroom.

Tiling "green"

2008-08-17T09:37:00.010-04:00

Liseli Haines, Tamara Gohean and Arthur Smith scraping the old grout off the tiles that had been carefully removed from the Bugg House bathroom and the "big toilet." It was quite a messy job as you may be able to see. Other F/friends helped to scrape at throughout the coming week. We found this "mindless" work a wonderful time to visit. Liseli commented that it reminded her of a quilting bee -- lots of stories shared.

After F/friends went home from the weekend and more tiles were cleaned, Liseli began to create a pattern for the tiles.

She's almost half way done.

Finished product before the grouting. Doesn't it brighten up the room? A thank you to all who helped make this happen -- staff and volunteers alike.

End of week 11 - more rafters

2008-08-16T11:07:00.007-04:00

CNS worked between rainstorms. Yes, we actually had some sunny hours!

CNS had been hoping for 3 days straight without rain but they've given up and have decided to build over the existing roof and then removed the old one where they'll connect.

This shot was taken from the Pitt Hall Rd side looking over the flat roof of the dining room.

This morning's view from the 2nd floor of the new Bugg House.

Rafters for the Bugg House Roof

2008-08-13T13:16:00.005-04:00

This was taken Sunday afternoon. The ACC seems to be waiting -- notice it's going to rain.

CNS was able to work a few hours on Monday -- enough to get the rafters started.

Tuesday afternoon -- the rains waited until 3 p.m.

Wednesday morning. Yay, sunshine.

Working Inside & Out

2008-08-08T14:52:00.007-04:00

While the new Bugg House is being built, Liseli is working on other sections of the ACC. Yesterday, Matthew Corson-Finnerty and Liseli were in the upstairs big bathroom, getting it ready for the new plumbing fixtures.

Peter Nelson checking out the architect's plans while the 2nd story continues to take shape.

At last, we can walk out the door in room 3 onto the new 2nd floor.

Thursday afternoon

How about those angles?

Week 10 - walls & 2nd floor

2008-08-06T11:14:00.008-04:00

Monday afternoon

The section where the 2nd floor is can be seen now.

working on the 2nd floor

Tuesday afternoon's sun shines on the new bare face of the ACC Bugg House.

This is what we saw at 10 a.m. today! The 2nd story walls are going up.

A good week

2008-08-01T11:36:00.005-04:00

This is what the ACC looks like after 4 good days (no rain) this week.

My cat, Victor Ivan, is in the foreground, checking out the site.

This is looking in through the south bedroom window towards the sun porch

This is the same room, looking from the west. The room is starting to look recognizable.

The end of week 9!

Sunny week continues

2008-07-30T13:24:00.004-04:00

The wild blackberries love this sunny weather and so do we.

Don't they look good enough to eat?

As you can see, CNS is working hard at connecting the new and the old parts of the ACC.

We've had 3 good days of sunny weather this week and it shows. Rafters are now in place over the sun porch (to the left in the photo) and the section of the Bugg House that won't have a 2nd floor (to the right in the photo).

Rain hold off, Frame goes up!

2008-07-28T11:24:00.006-04:00

True, it's cloudy but Peter Nelson, our contractor, is overjoyed that they're able to work today. So they are making the most out of the time they have, arriving here before most of us have eaten our breakfast.

Photo by Erin Clark from her bedroom window. The frame for one of the bedrooms takes shape. Notice from this vantage point, that the ultimate field is lush and green, thanks to the abundance of rain.

Peter Nelson and Mike Clark study plans.

It's still very muddy around the site, but Peter is hopeful that the framing and roofing can be done this week. Stay tuned and pray for dry weather!

Outline of new bedrooms

2008-07-24T11:17:00.007-04:00

Liseli Haines and I drove down from silver Bay NY where the week-long summer sessions of New York Yearly Meeting are held. There are over 500 F/friends gathered there from infants to over 90 years old! Throughout the week, alums and current attenders of our programs greet one another joyously. Friends are asking us about the renovations and our timetable. Well ....

Liseli had 2 meetings scheduled for today with sub-contractors and I wanted to see if any of the framing had been done . You can see from the photo above, that Powell House has had its share of rain again. From left to right -- you can see the new Bugg House 1st floor rooms set out bedroom, bedroom, accessible bathroom, bathroom and another bedroom.

I'm standing at the edge of the sun porch looking towards the accessible 1st floor of the new Bugg House.

Standing at the same spot, looking down the hallway to the dining room.

Nelson & Sons have removed the edge of the Common Room roof where the new hallway joins it and the framing has started.

Cement floor poured

2008-07-17T16:16:00.006-04:00

The floor was poured on Wednesday, 7/16. It was fascinating to watch the process. It was so tempting to leave hand or footprints, but we all restrained ourselves.

they make it look so easy!

In this final photo, you can see Liseli Haines and Buffy Curtis talking to Peter Nelson.

Radiant floor piping

2008-07-09T12:42:00.011-04:00

Peter Nelson, our general contractor- here busy on a small bobcat- is busy with his crew getting ready for the cement to be poured next week.

You can see here the wonderful pattern made by the radiant floor piping that will keep us warm throughout the winter months.

Meanwhile the grounds are a lush, beautiful green with some lovely flowers blooming here and there.

Sandra Beer

Week 5 Begins

2008-07-01T17:09:00.005-04:00

The weather is cooperating so far this week ... worke rs were ab le to come in and begin putting drainage pipes in the fill.

New Roof for ACC roof over "Big Toilet"

2008-06-29T13:33:00.010-04:00

This weekend 20 people came up to Powell House to help ensure that the solar panels would be sufficiently supported so they wouldn't fall into the big bathroom on the 2nd floor. This meant taking off 2 sets of shingles, adding support to the old carriage barn frame and then putting a new roof back on. Liseli Haines, Andy Heimer and Bob Houghton take a look at what's underneath ....

Then the work began anew. Of course, this is the end of July, so the humidity was up as well as the temperature. We were very fortunate that the rains held off until we finished Sunday by lunch time. We took lemonade and water breaks, and swam in the pond to try to cool off.

The finished product! Looks good, doesn't it? Mike Clark took this photo standing on the roof of Hogo (youth director's home) which is connected to the ACC. The new Bugg House wing will be to the left of this roof. So here's the group that stayed until Sunday lunch. Thank you one and all for helping get the ACC ready for solar!

End of Week 4 - some cement & some grading

2008-06-27T18:28:00.004-04:00

This month has had its share of thunderstorms, hail, downpours and a bit of sun. All of it adds up to the slow growing of the new Bugg House. We hope for better weather next week. The good news is that part of the floor has been poured and some of the grading has been done but as you can see, it's quite muddy.

New dining room roof for the ACC

2008-06-25T14:40:00.009-04:00

Week 4 finds lots of work going on in the ACC. Today, we're highlighting the new roof for the ACC dining room (as well as a new skylight for the kitchen). This roof was not in our original plans for the renovations but one day when Liseli was checking out the gutters, she noticed some rot near the north edges. Upon further inspection, it became clear that we needed a whole new roof so that when CNS connects the new art hallway from the new Bugg House, it would be in good shape (and not leak!)

Woods Workers camping weekend project

2008-06-22T10:29:00.004-04:00

Because of the renovations to the ACC, the youth are holding their June weekends in the campground.

This weekend, the 8 & 9th graders made tables from wood from the old Bugg House to sell. The proceeds will go towards the renovations. Contact Chris DeRoller or Mike Clark, youth directors, chrisandmike@pwoellhouse.org

Of course, there was also time to swim in Lea Pond and walk up to Dorson's Rock, not to mention spending time in the maze. Yes, they frequently checked for deer ticks!

Foundation fill - week 3

2008-06-21T10:03:00.009-04:00

CNS was able to bring the fill in for the foundation midweek, after they had tarred the outside of the foundation walls and put light blue insulation panels on the inside. We hope to finish the fill by next Tuesday, so the concrete pad can be poured.

Don't forget ... if you like heights and have some

roofint experience, join us next weekend on the ACC roof over the "Big Toilet." Call Liseli Haines 518-794-8811 x 14 or liseli@powellhouse.org

There is another work weekend over Labor Day. Check our website http://www.powellhouse.org/ for more information.

Work weekend coming up June 27-29th

2008-06-19T14:30:00.005-04:00

Come help us take off the old roof over the "Big Toilet, reinforce the roof to hold the solar thermal panels and put on new shingles -- all in one weekend.

Call Liseli Haines, property manager, if you can come 518-794-8811

Workers on this project are limited to ages 16 and older.

$$ keep rolling in for the ACC

2008-06-18T13:42:00.004-04:00

We've had lots of rain over the past 4 days, so nothing concerning the building has changed since Saturday. But ... Mike Clark & Chris DeRoller, youth directors, had a lively 4-5th grade conference in the campground -- Tentacultar! Jacki Gray cooked under the shelter of the pavilion as well as in the ACC kitchen. Continuing the tradition of this past year, several youth brought in their coin jars. Here's what it looks like when Peg Mead is counting.

So keep that money rolling in for the ACC. (We'll accept checks, too!)

Foundation walls

2008-06-15T11:42:00.005-04:00

The sub-contractors came back on Saturday and removed the forms for the foundation walls and voila!

pouring cement for foundation wall and abatement

2008-06-14T12:08:00.007-04:00

Friday, the foundation wall was poured. They had quite a time getting the concrete to pass through the long hose from the cement mixer. Hammers and sledgehammers were used in this process. This view clearly shows the new sunporch area.

At the same time, the asbestos company were painting the floor of room 1 in ACC to finish the abatement. This was after the final air quality test. The ACC passed with flying colors!

Footings

2008-06-12T10:16:00.006-04:00

Check this out! The footings for the new wing were poured yesterday!

Here's the new sunroom space :-)

Thanks to the photographer Jessica Haines-Stephan.

Lightning Does Strike Twice!

2008-06-06T09:37:00.004-04:00

The Powell House staff were awakened at 6 this morning with a BOOOOMMMMM that fried our new fire alarm panel in the ACC (just replaced last spring for the same reason) and the phones there are out too!

Despite this glitch, we are moving ahead with a blogging lesson and getting ready for Healing Ourselves Healing the Earth conference that is starting later today.

The Old Bugg House is GONE!

2008-06-04T11:27:00.011-04:00

Welcome to our blogspot where you can follow the long awaited renovation of Powell House's Anna Curtis Youth Center!

We are also sending out an e-newsletter with some of the information about how we are making the Powell House Anna Curtis Youth Center accessible, healthy and green.

This blog will be another way that we will keep you updated on a more frequent basis so that you can get the latest news and pictures of the construction progress.

Check in again soon!