There were a few snow flurries at my house Saturday morning, and a friend who came from Richmond to see the project told me that when he crossed over Afton Mountain, he could barely see for the snow. It stayed cold in Lexington and was pretty windy at the building site. Some people began raising the frame while most remained at the Pavilion, continuing to cut joinery and adjust the layout on our last remaining pieces to be cut.
-
- Setting up at Project Horizon. Crew is on the new building’s second floor, above what will be stick framed walk out basement apartment.
-
- Cutting and layout continues
Lunch was provided today by the Buena Vista ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our community has three LDS churches and each helped out for a separate meal. After the project wraps up in a few days, we will be telling you more about all of the organizations that helped with donations and/or volunteers.
Thank you, lunch volunteers!
There was a lot of carving going on.
Following supper, Will Beemer led us in singing two songs. We sang the traditional “Happy Birthday” song for Grigg Mullen 3’s birthday March 28, and the Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty Four” to honor Brian Richardson whose birthday is March 29.
Birthday songs. Brian Richardson, Grigg Mullen 3 and Will Beemer
Brian is nearing retirement from Washington & Lee University where he heads their journalism department, and he met Grigg Mullen (the elder) when both were faculty advisors to student Habitat for Humanity volunteer groups. Brian, along with wife Frances and sons Aaron and Daniel, helped build Lisa’s House, and has remained a supporter of PH (currently on the board of directors) and the VMI timber framers ever since. Frances leads the weavers at A Common Thread, and has done some carving on this frame. Aaron returned for his 4th VMI TFG project, motorcycling over from Charlottesville and bringing girlfriend Anna to see what we’re working on. We wish Brian a very happy birthday.
And there was no way Grigg 3 wouldn’t have a happy birthday, surrounded by nearly a hundred warm and generous folks working on a project near and dear to him, and joining him in eating his homemade ice cream. He made, along with help from Will Barry-Rec, Ellen Watts, and Ellen’s kitchen helpers, five flavors: strawberry, coffee, spicy chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and vanilla with David Blackwell’s pecan caramel candy.
Ice cream dippers Mark Warack, MaryAnn Magann, Rob Russman, and cadets Ian and Zane
The evening closed with movies again. Laurie Macrae surprised us with a screening of a short film about the Polish Bell Tower project. It was a nice movie and with the final credits we heard Grigg Mullen speaking about the value of being part of projects like the bell tower and this Project Horizon expansion, and how important is to pass our skills and knowledge to younger generations.
Sunday, May 29, we’ll have the chance to see “Raise the Roof,” which is making its Virginia debut, thanks to Laurie and the Hillel group at Washington & Lee. If you are in the area, it’s showing at 7:30 p.m. at Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons, W&L campus.
Here are some more photos of Saturday’s progress:
VMI TFG Project Horizon expansion 
Lovin’ these posts. Thanks Accacia!
LikeLike