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Showing posts from February, 2017

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October 2 - Meetings, Grading and Pews

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Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
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February 25 - Siding the East Walls

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The daily floor watering ran its course this week.  Despite faithful douses, nothing grew, so we went outside to work.  Maybe we need to give it more time.  I'm sure if we wait long enough, benches will sprout. Installation of exterior trim and siding continued this week.  The crew was rained out one day, and then for the other days, the temperature went down and wind went up.  Saturday was a beautiful day.  Although the days are getting longer, during the week daylight disappears early in the evening work shift.  Out come the headlamps and work lights and the work continues.  The average headlamp is a fairly weak beam of light that is generally sufficient to work by, but a few guys sport exceptionally powerful headlamps.  Here, Eric installs lap siding on the front east wall. Meanwhile, some shady characters do the same on the east sanctuary wall. Saturday came, bringing a good turnout of guys.  One crew of guys finishes up the front ...
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February 18 - It's Saturday, Go Outside and Play!

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With the new floor inside not yet ready for lots of construction traffic, no work is happening inside the building - except for the daily watering of the floor.  Why water the floor?  I believe the theory is that newly poured concrete cures more slowly when kept wet, which results in a stronger slab.  Orders are to water the floor down once a day for a week. While the main focus of the week was to get the floor poured, work continued outside.  Installation of siding had started the previous week and continued this week.  Here, Bill, Phil, Greg, Ed, and Bob plan for greatness on the side wall. Ed, looking better than ever, takes a break. Aaron and Ben at work on the front wall, while Bill, Phil, and Aare are right around the corner on the east wall. Aare's irritated with me.  Take your camera and go for a hike!
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February 17 - Pouring the Floor, Part 2

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Pouring it On Sweatshirts and jackets came off as the morning wore on, the temperature rose, and that heavy concrete hose was dragged all over the church.  When I returned to the church at about 11:30 that morning, I saw the last of the concrete truck parade.  One truck was emptying its load, another was cleaning up, and a third was pulling away to return to home base. Inside was a surprise -- the floor was almost finished!  The last of the narthex, office, coat room, and mechanical room was being poured.  Here you can see the power screeding machine in action again.  The reference laser it uses can be seen in the distance, fastened high on the door jamb leading to the sanctuary, visible just above Brian's head. By now, everyone seemed to know exactly what to do and when to do it. The pump outside is controlled remotely by Jeff Wikman, via the yellow control box he's holding.  While Mark directs the hose, Jeff monitors the progress, ready to stop the pump i...
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February 17 - Pouring the Floor, Part 1

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Planning Thursday evenings are when the crew leads and their assistants get together to plan the next week's activities.  This meeting, however, on the day before The Big Floor Pour, focused on the next day's activity: pouring the concrete floor.  That's Glen in the camo jacket, Brian on his left, Mark to his left (can't see him), then Phil, Ken, and Bob. The Big Floor Pour has been in the planning stages for over a month.  A special crew of volunteers who can be there all day on a Friday have been organized.  Concrete specialists have been recruited.  Concrete, 140 yards of it, has been ordered.  Specialized concrete finishing equipment has been requested.  The driveway has been prepped for the beating that a dozen cement trucks will do to it.  Meals have been ordered.  Prayers have been made.  What else could possibly be done? Friday Arrives Friday morning arrives, a beautiful day.  Workers have been here since before 6:00am....
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