September 11 - Labor Day and a Productive Work Week

New Things Outside - 
Three brand new items were added during the week. Curbing on the edge of the parking lot was set in place. Presumably paving the parking lot will follow close behind. Sam's status update on Sunday indicated that final grading will occur on Monday, so drivers will have to drive lightly so as not to disrupt the final grade.

Outer doors were added to the front. The very versatile Brian added doorman to his lengthy resume.




















Gutters and downspouts were also appended to the building. It appears to me that it will take a few rainfall incidents to train the water to shift flow into the drain line. I do not quite understand how it will work and remains one of the mysteries of construction.

Kevin and Steve install the drain line on the other side of the front entry, also relying on trainable water flow from the downspout.

Actually, the downspouts were installed incorrectly and will be reinstalled to properly align with the drain lines.

While grass was not new this week, Farmer Paul's installation ideas did change. No longer relying on the manual grass seeder to get grass all the required places, more sod was installed. The sod vendor very generously donated 1,320 square yards of what was termed 'grade B' sod. The sod was green on one side and black on the other. Apparently it was cut thinner than normal but it sure looks good laid out on the ground. We eagerly and appreciatively accepted the donation. Thank you, sod vendor.


Meanwhile, On The Inside -
Now we not only have windows to keep outside air from getting inside,  we also have widows with inside air on both sides. Tom and Kevin built the frames, shimmed them in place, installed the glass and added another frame on the other side.

They measured, checked for level, checked for plumb, checked for square, added a nail, remeasured, re-plumbed, re-squared, added another nail and so forth. These two are much more persnickety than I am, for which the entire congregation is grateful.

The installed windows are a beautiful sight.

Tiling continues. Sam got the installation started, then found an eager apprentice to train.

Charles proves to be a good student and a fast learner.

Soon, Charles takes over the task.

Bob and Matt keep on trimming doors. This is another picky job. Measure, cut, fit in place, cut again, but this time just a tiny nip, fit in place again, hold the piece in place with one nail, repeat on the other side, lay on the top piece, adjust the casing (vertical side piece) with a hammer tap or two to make sure the top piece sits squarely on the side trim, tack the lintel (the piece over the top) with a nail, repeat on the other side. When satisfied with the look, cut miters on the ends of the lintel so the 'returns', can be cut from the same board. The 'return' is the little chunk of wood mitered to the lintel so the end grain of the wood is not exposed.











Here again the congregation benefits from these patient, skilled workers. Obviously my 'looks pretty good from Lake Street' mentality is not adequate.

One curiosity: Dave is making a black hole. More accurately, he is making a hole black. The organ speakers will be behind a fabric cover. It is desirable that nothing shows through the fabric, so paint the inside of the room and all its components black. The organ sound will thus pour out from a black hole.
















Finalizing the Portico -

Sam uses the quidditch machine for an elevator so he can cut a slit in the end of the post with the over-sized circular saw.

The post is then stood atop the mounting hardware and secured with steel pins. No matter how hard Sam tries, he can not make Daniel flinch.

Steve shingles the portico roof while Bob admires the work.

The building nears final appearance. Siding painted, trim painted, portico pillared and gargoyle installed. Actually, that is not a gargoyle. Steve is adding singles to the roof.