Successful Demolition Days
May 8th was BAJC's first "D-Day" (demolition day)...and the walls at 151 Greenleaf came tumbling down!!!!! Thanks to the awesome efforts of some 36 hardy, hard-working folks, all the upstairs walls at our Greenleaf home were knocked down! Then on May 12th, four people disconnected all the radiators and removed all the plumbing and kitchen appliances and cabinets and removed the ratty carpeting from the cabin. Three days later, on a cold rainy Sunday, eight people knocked out most of the downstairs walls. A week later, on an equally cold rainy Sunday, six people finished the downstairs walls and ceilings and cleaned up most of the debris.
Here's the honor roll of participants: our fearless
leader Joe, of course, and Gershon, Loren, Michael, Susan, Rachel, Elaine and Rick (with Manya and Koby), Paul
and Sharon (and their house guest,
Sharon's brother John), Allen and Deb, Johnny Lee, Esther, Jim
Levinson, Linda and Wink, Sharon and Clark, Linda, Norma and Mel, Judith, Margie, Pal and Donna, Burt, Diane, Stuart, Vikki, Eileen, Elan, Joanne, Faith and Abe, George, Phil,
Paula, Hannah,
Laura.
Most people worked inside, in
a totally hostile environment, while some
worked outdoors in an almost equally hostile
environment (it was pretty cold and windy!).
Extra-special praise and admiration go to Joe,
George, Paul, Wink, Johnny Lee, Loren, Burt,
Phil, Esther, Elaine, Rick, Faith and Abe--the "shtarkehs" who came back for a second and
even third and fourth session of back-breaking,
eye-stinging, throat-clogging work.
The demolition days were remarkable in that
the very act of tearing down the insides of a
building resulted in actually building a stronger,
more caring, more involved community!
The
next opportunity for this kind of "sweat equity"
community-building will come when the contractors
have new walls up, ready for painting.
Perhaps people who could not manage some of
the heavy de-construction work will be able to
participate in painting inside the house, sprucing
up outside, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom
in the cabin. After that, even more help
will be needed to move furniture, equipment,
books, and supplies from West Village into our
new home.
Bird's Eye View of Phase One Site Plan
More on the history of Moving into Greenleaf
Your help is needed!
This project will only succeed if we all work together. There are
many donation opportunities:
help to pay off the mortgage, donate to the present use project,
or make a pledge towards the future new building project. Better
yet, contribute unrestricted funds. We also need volunteers willing
to contribute 'sweat equity.'
Current "sweat equity"
opportunities are: painting inside the house, sprucing
up outside, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom
in the cabin. After that, even more help
will be needed to move furniture, equipment,
books, and supplies from West Village into our
new home.
Sign up now to work on the house!
Feel free to contact Joe with any questions or comments.
grounds@bajcvermont.org
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