The work took its toll over the last 2 weeks of March As March came to a close, we were on a mission to finish up what we could since we would be heading out on our cruise in early April. Although we originally thought this would involve small tasks, that turned out to be far from reality. We found ourselves clearing a field of debris, painting the Wesley roof and helping with a fashion show to name just a few of our month-end projects. And then there was a dumpster fire.
Dumpster debris on fire It’s a Dumpster Fire
It had been an exhausting day. Despite several days of work by a contractor, the field next to the campground still had much more clearing to be done. So, the church trustees decided the remaining work could be handled with a few of us working with a Bobcat. The aging playground equipment needed to be pulled down and cut up, the remaining debris needed to be collected and put in a dumpster, and the metal sent to recycling. Dave and I joined 2 Trustees – Mike and Sandy – a worker from First 90, and fellow volunteer Sandy to pick up, dig up, and cut up the swingsets, jungle gyms, and other structures left standing. We were largely done by 4 and more than ready to take a break.
It had been an exhausting day. Despite several days of work by a contractor, the field next to the campground still had much more clearing to be done. So, the church trustees decided the remaining work could be handled with a few of us working with a Bobcat. The aging playground equipment needed to be pulled down and cut up, the remaining debris needed to be collected and put in a dumpster, and the metal sent to recycling. Dave and I joined 2 Trustees – Mike and Sandy – a worker from First 90, and fellow volunteer Sandy to pick up, dig up, and cut up the swingsets, jungle gyms, and other structures left standing. We were largely done by 4 and more than ready to take a break.
Field being cleared Done for the day, Cathy cleaned up and went to a Circle Meeting and Dave took his leave as Mike and Sandy stayed behind to do a few more things before stopping for the day. It was around 6:30 when the call came in. Did you know your dumpster is on fire? Really? Dave took off for the field, grabbing a couple of buckets on the way. Cathy headed to the carport to get the golf cart and more buckets to put water on the fire. While she was filling the buckets with water, Dave called. He had arrived to see large flames rising from the dumpster. With the closest water source 50 ft away, he could only get so much water on the fire with buckets. It was time to call the Fire Department.
Firemen working on the dumpster fire Cathy made the 911 call describing the field’s location without knowing its exact address. “It’s between 3920 and 4000”. Once hanging up with 911, she drove over to the field and saw what Dave was dealing with. She dumped her buckets of water on the fire and then the golf cart was employed to move the water back and forth. But all we were doing was keeping it from getting much worse.
The dumpster was basically filled with water It was thankfully not long before the fire trucks arrived and the professionals took over. Apparently others had seen the fire from I95 and called it in as well. The firefighters had to haul their hose over 100 feet to get water and foam on the fire, and even ended up calling a 2nd truck. After about an hour, the fire was out to their satisfaction, and they were heading out. If we had been tired before, we were exhausted now. We kept an eye on the dumpster for the next few days just to make sure nothing was going to flare up again.
Delivering paint to Wesley roof (Back) Up On the Roof
With approval to re-coat the flat roof on the church’s Wesley Hall, Dave had coordinated the pressure-washing during early March. Now the time had come to apply the paint, which we knew could be a very messy job. The plan was to apply 2 coats, which would require 30 pails of some very heavy paint. Dave was concerned that it be delivered to the roof directly, since hauling it up by hand would be difficult. The truck delivering it made it look very easy, using a long arm to move the pallet up to the roof. With Dave’s help, a worker dispersed the pails around the roof, to spread the weight.
With approval to re-coat the flat roof on the church’s Wesley Hall, Dave had coordinated the pressure-washing during early March. Now the time had come to apply the paint, which we knew could be a very messy job. The plan was to apply 2 coats, which would require 30 pails of some very heavy paint. Dave was concerned that it be delivered to the roof directly, since hauling it up by hand would be difficult. The truck delivering it made it look very easy, using a long arm to move the pallet up to the roof. With Dave’s help, a worker dispersed the pails around the roof, to spread the weight.
Applying first coat of paint to Wesley roof A couple of days later, the application work began. With 3 hired workers, the paint company’s representative and Dave on the roof, the first coat went on smoothly and was done by day’s end. Luckily the weather was cooperating with both the temperatures and humidity reasonably mild. The 2nd coat took even less time, but there was a little paint left to apply. So, on Friday afternoon, one of the workers returned to finish the job and clean up all of the tools. And it should be 10 years before having to do it again.
And Now, For Something Completely Different
Beyond 90 has a sewing class that the church helps celebrate with a Fashion Show each spring. This means a great deal to the class participants, as they and their creations are celebrated on a red carpet. The ladies of the church prepped and cooked all day the day before. Meanwhile Cathy helped with the decorations, teaching Jose how to deploy the stage curtain, working with Lori on the sound and video presentation and washing the tablecloths that hadn’t aged well in storage.
Dave’s contribution was perhaps the most appreciated. The recently-replaced kitchen A/C was not working on one of the hottest days in months. With ovens going all day, the temperature kept rising. Dave made a call to the HVAC company and they came the next morning to get it working. The bad news was that we had been the cause of the problem. In the process of re-installing the light in the kitchen, we moved the drain line so that the condensate was not draining properly. Oops.
Beyond 90 has a sewing class that the church helps celebrate with a Fashion Show each spring. This means a great deal to the class participants, as they and their creations are celebrated on a red carpet. The ladies of the church prepped and cooked all day the day before. Meanwhile Cathy helped with the decorations, teaching Jose how to deploy the stage curtain, working with Lori on the sound and video presentation and washing the tablecloths that hadn’t aged well in storage.
Dave’s contribution was perhaps the most appreciated. The recently-replaced kitchen A/C was not working on one of the hottest days in months. With ovens going all day, the temperature kept rising. Dave made a call to the HVAC company and they came the next morning to get it working. The bad news was that we had been the cause of the problem. In the process of re-installing the light in the kitchen, we moved the drain line so that the condensate was not draining properly. Oops.
Pastor Michael grilling skewers for the Fashion Show Fred’s work in resurrecting the grill was put to good use, as Pastor Michael grilled chicken skewers on the day of the event. And the sold-out event was a huge success. Thanks to a huge amount of preparation from the ladies of the church and Beyond 90, the participants felt celebrated and the attendees had a great time.
Sandy prepares to head out And There’s More
Sandy came to Faith as she was making her way from one Nomads project to another. During her time at Faith, she kept busy and we appreciated what she accomplished. She stained some ramps, pressure-washed sidewalks, deep-cleaned the shower and an enclosure, and did some painting – things we would not have had time to get to.
Sandy came to Faith as she was making her way from one Nomads project to another. During her time at Faith, she kept busy and we appreciated what she accomplished. She stained some ramps, pressure-washed sidewalks, deep-cleaned the shower and an enclosure, and did some painting – things we would not have had time to get to.
Dave installing a ceiling on the bathroom in Kim's area. And Fred and Pat had left one thing to be done that we managed to finish up. A small bathroom in Kim’s Open Door had not been used much because it was in an enclosure without a ceiling. Not enough privacy. We managed to fit a piece of drywall over the “room” to make it more soundproof. And Kim’s staff was thrilled.
Cabin Work Week 2025
Looking forward to the fall, we’ve had some discussions with the staff at Pocahontas State Park. We’ve decided to have a final Cabin Work Week this year, and are working with the park to plan this final event.
Looking forward to the fall, we’ve had some discussions with the staff at Pocahontas State Park. We’ve decided to have a final Cabin Work Week this year, and are working with the park to plan this final event.
Parting Shot
Cathy unearthed this little fellow – a blue-tailed skink – in her efforts in the field.
Cathy unearthed this little fellow – a blue-tailed skink – in her efforts in the field.
