September 25 - Last Saturday: A Really Big Day

Concrete Pour - 
Another concrete pour, this time the sidewalks across the front and the walk under the portico. Two truckloads of mud got all the sidewalk done and half of the dumpster pad beyond the back edge of the parking lot. Sonny Johnson, Phil Johnson and Charlie Halonen from the Minneapolis congregation as well as Dale Muhonen from Rockford volunteered to help with the job. Once again, a helping hand from the neighboring congregations is greatly appreciated. It is always fascinating to watch this work - when the truck is spilling its contents, many hands and feet are required to coax the heavy goo into its desired location. Phil is shown pushing the goo around while Sonny and Dale operate the screed.

After the concrete is leveled out, the bull float is used to smooth the surface.

The float may reveal a spot lacking just a little material so the master adds a shovelful here and there to make sure the surface is just right.

After the mix has a chance to set up a bit, the red carpet is rolled out for the master finisher, who uses a really long handled trowel to apply the just right touch, like the icing on the cake. Actually it is a path of pinkish-purplish foam insulation sheets, but it looked rather like a red carpet, albeit a bit faded. Sonny and Dale stayed on duty until well after everyone else had lunch before finally acknowledging that the work was far enough along that it no longer needed their immediate attention.

Sitting on a five gallon bucket to enjoy his late-noon meal, Sonny noted that he was tired. A pretty good workout for a fellow over forty years old.

While the finishing work progressed under the portico, Phil Sam, Brent, Daniel and Westin, Charlie's son, took the sidewalk up to the parking lot. Charlie took the opportunity to coach the youngster on the fine points of concrete finishing.

Westin got the hang of it pretty quickly and was soon troweling on his own.

After the troweling is done, a broom is used to complete the finish, to improve the traction under foot and help prevent slipping. Phil and Daniel operate the broom outside the side door.











Assembling Pews -
Concrete was not the only attraction on Saturday. Inside the church, the sanctuary became the pew assembly area. Now that the pieces are all stripped of the old finish and stain and vinyl sealer have been applied, the time has come to put the pieces back together. Ami, Sam and Bob collaborate on a small bench repair job.

After the repair is completed, it is time to put the pieces together. Brian helps out as the middle man on this phase.















Bob demonstrates his skill as a chiseler by cleaning the old glue out of a groove in a pew end cap.

 Eric and Luke Byman team up to cap the end of the pew.

By the end of the day, eight pews were reassembled. I understand that one more coat of varnish will be applied before they will be completed.

That's Not All, Folks -
Windows were installed on the dining room side of the narthex.

Loren sets a window frame in place.

Kevin raises dust trimming the opening to fit the frame and glass.





















Wayne (on the right) and his son Steven install the frame and the double doors leading to the back porch.

 And out on the back lawn, Laif, Ben and Devin plane the flat trim pieces that will finalize the interior window trim.

Activity buzzed inside and out. I think I saw Farmer Paul mowing the lawn at one point, but failed to get a picture.

With the large turnout of workers, a size large lunch was called for. Diane and Elias came through with two roasterfuls of tasty potato, ground beef and corn casserole which the many workers enjoyed on a well earned break.