Day 5 – Wednesday, March 15

Did multi-tasking today - started out at the Habitat Build and REACH for the morning and then went to the Galilee Campsite for spring cleanup and installation of air conditioning units.

The morning build went very smoothly - all of the north side of the house was sided, including soffits, while Bruce and crew practically completed the siding on the front of the building.

REACH has just about been completed - a great crew with lots of work completed. Hallways, front doors were painted, blinds hung, lock finally fixed. This was our last day of work at REACH and the workers were presented with T-shirts from the organization.

Ruth W. had an eventful day having been carded at Walmart today while Kate and Shelley set off the alarm on the way out. With the Canadians single handedly buying all the “Tennessee Volunteer” shirts, the Walmart crew are probably glad to see us return to the North.

Toured one of the Habitat homes which was completed three or four months ago. The owner was extremely proud of her home and pleased to show us what she and her family had done with the home. Each of the homes is a little different, depending on the amount of work that each family can perform during the build.

The Galilee Campsite experience was excellent, with both outside and inside work to be done - cleaning up brush, and installation of air conditioners in the cabins. The summers are so hot in Tennessee that the cabins are almost unbearable. Jan and her all female crew were busy doing repairs/ renovations to one of the cabins used by the cook staff. One of the walls will be extended, four windows are to be covered over and another needs to be renovated. Painting will follow. Through the efforts of the outside crew, there was a huge pile of brush and stumps and leaves accumulated by the end of the afternoon. A few near misses with the chain saw, but all escaped unscathed!!

Both at the Indian River Marina and the Galilee Campsite, the state bird of Tennessee was frequently heard - the “beeping” fire alarm has been a source of consternation for many of us. These fire alarms are “10-year” disposable items which do not allow the batteries to be replaced and hence frequently chirp at all hours of the night and day.

The young folk went off to the Church for the Wednesday night youth group - more than 50 folks were present including students from various denominations in LaFollette.. Much discussion and much sharing of “teen stuff” took place. Again lots of questions regarding what we do, how we dress, what sports we play, etc. Some discussion took place regarding the recent shooting at a Middle school in LaFollette. Youth were deeply affected by this local tragedy.

-Peggy

Blog - Day 6