Winter Return to NOLA

We decided to return to NOLA for some mid-winter rebuilding, working from Monday, February 18th to Friday the 29th. George, a.k.a. "The Cook," will be with us again!

The cost of food will be $50 per week. This can be sent directly to JoEllen Parsons, Box 445, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846. Please do this by Jan. 15th to reserve your place.

Those going are asked to donate $100 to $200 each for building materials. This can be sent to the Katrina Rebuilding Fund of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, 21 Lyon Avenue, Menands, NY 12204.

Ideas for Next Rebuilding Trip

1. Take advantage of Jim Lemire's offer to do a presentation on the role of New Orleans in American history before we go.

2.Following up on the educational idea, we could offer one presentation each week in NOLA on various theme, like -- "The Music of NOLA" or "The Plight of NOLA's Poor" or "The Faith Communities' Responses to Katrina" or "The Future of NOLA," .....

3. We could ask Marcia and/or others to create a list of possible weekend activities -- Swamp Tour, musical venues, dancing, etc.

4. Plan a fund-raiser to have money to take with us for building supplies as well as to raise awareness of the need for on-going help for NOLA.

5. Create a sign-up sheet, like we use for devotions, for small jobs to help the team -- setting tables up, daily/weekly clean-up, .....

6. Identify churches at which a group traveling to or from NOLA could stay overnight and/or eat a meal; an "Underground Railroad" idea.

De-Briefing for NOLA Visit

Almost all the drivers and fliers have checked in -- everyone is now safely home.

We will be gathering on the last Friday of November -- the 30th -- at 7 PM at Debbie and Eric's to review our recent three weeks of work and to consider another two week project in February of 2008.

The February dates are from Sunday the 17th through the 1st of March. And the best news is that George Cheatle has again volunteered to be our Chef-in-residence!

Please let us know if you are coming to the Friday gathering. Thanks.

Stretching the Daylight

The ending of Daylight Savings Time has complicated our work schedule. We are awakened earlier than usual by the morning light, and our work days are cut short by the earlier darkness.
Putting our heads together, we think we have solved our problem: we are going to get up earlier, eating earlier, having our devotions earlier, and leaving for our work sites earlier.

Spirits are still high. The laughter and banter go on as you might imagine -- just a step or two away from being totally out of control. And did we mention the "Pitch" card game that Edd Von Seggern hosts in the evening? (He seems to make up the rules as they go along.)

George Cheatle, our cook, continues to feed us in extraordinary fashion, which goes a long way towards keeping us hard at work. He even arranged for muffulettas to be delivered to our work sites one day! The flavors and aromas emanating from the church kitchen are simply wonderful!

Our NYS-FITS+ is quite a singing group. On Sunday when we were introduced in worship we broke out in song, and later, when the church choir assembled, we added 8 persons to their number! The church's yahoo.com network talked about the "fabulous choir" for days.

Week Three Begins

All too soon our third week has arrived and the final push is underway. We hope to finish Royden and Lina's home on Roger Williams and come as close as possible to completing Yolanda's house on Mendez.

At Royden's and Lina's on Monday, we started to fill holes in the trim and clapboards outside and around the windows on the inside. The back porch was started. The squares of tile for counter top were glued in place and the backsplash tiles set. Work continued on the kitchen island which has refused to stay flat and square. Finally, some of the primer paint has gone on windows and casings.

At Yolanda's the final plumbing work was about finished, with Liz doing the work under the sink in the bathroom. The second bedroom is approaching completion. The kitchen cabinets were set in place and the appliances connected. Plumbing in both bathrooms is now completed and work on the thresholds is approaching completion. The glazing on the windows is about done, too.

Louisiana Swamp Fest

Our Saturday began in a sad fashion with the departure of three of our number. Kevin and Alan headed back to Pennsylvania and Marvin took off for Albany International. They will be missed.

Day off, well, almost. A few did some work at Lina and Royden's in the morning -- finishing our trim work on windows and doors, cementing the last of the counter top in place and sealing the tiles we installed yesterday.

Others went on a swamp tour in search of alligators, nutria rats and various flora and fauna, as well as information about what Katrina did to the ecological balance in the wetlands.

The afternoon found most of us at the Audubon Zoo to listen to the music of the Pine Leaf Boys and BeauSoleil among others. There were also various exhibits and events, and all the regular zoo animals and habitats. We found the parking lots filled to overflowing and crowds, like the one pictured above, all over the place!

Before the day ends, we will add six to our number. Louis Armstrong Airport is the destination for team replacements. And on Sunday two more will arrive. The week begins with us at our highest numbers, and we have plenty of work to do before week three comes to an end.

Second Friday

The start of our second Friday at Lina and Royden's house. Kevin and Roland prepare to trim windows on the west side of the house. They finished all four by lunch time and two more before the day was done.

On the inside the first tiles for the kitchen counter were set in place; the plumbing was completed in the main bathroom and the last of the taping and mudding was completed.

At Yolanda's -- more windows were painted (patching and filling nail holes, too) by Peggy, Marilyn, Rae Louise, Susan and Linda; one of the bathrooms had the tub surrounded added -- Peter and Ron tag-teamed this; more new glass was installed and glazed -- Peter did this; another threshold was "attacked" by Ted (the total of thresholds is 10!) ; Marvin and Edd finished the new floor in the hallway and hall closet.

The master bedroom is now virtually ready for occupancy by the homeowner, and she plans to move in over the weekend!

In the evening, the building teams from both houses, plus three members of an "advance team" from Falls Church, VA, along with Yolanda were fed Lebanese fare by Royden and Lina. Goodbyes were extended to Marvin, Keven, Alan, Susan and Jack who will be leaving this weekend.

One Day, One House, One...

This picture was taken in Lina and Royden's driveway where we set our saws. We had just lifted up the table saw to put it away for the night. What you see is what was underneath!

Thursday was a good day. The last of the drywall went up, five windows were trimmed on the outside and progress was made in preparation for placing tile on the counter.

Halloween Delight

Wednesday was Halloween and to observe the holiday we had a special meal, prepared by a very special chef -- our own, George Cheatle. Among other entrees on the menu we were offered: Old Blood Jello topped with Freshly Coagulated Blood and Cockroach Bodies in Moldy Cheese Sauce.

Our hungry builders devoured everything in site. There is something about tiling, grouting, painting window trim and installing new doors that builds the appetite!

Our efforts continue at a good pace.

Shop on Wheels

You might wonder what we use and how we get things done on site. Here's the answer, a photo of the back of JoEllen and Tom's pickup truck. Inside you can find one of almost anything: table saw, band saw, chop saw, drills, circular saw, air compressor, nailing guns and ammo, drywall tools, hammers, etc., etc. Each day on the job site we unload in the morning and reload in the evening. And, as you can see, they've learned how to back it quite neat and very full!

Tuesday began with unscheduled rain. It was annoying, because at one site most of our cutting is done outside. By 9 AM the skies began to clear, and soon we were going full speed again. It was a day of tiling, laying flooring, plumbing, more baseboard work, filling nail holes, adding a new door, and framing -- there's always another window to frame.

A Time to Rest, and Then...

The weekend brought a change of pace -- relaxation, exploration, extended time together. On Saturday some went on a Swamp Tour, hoping to catch sight of a few alligators. (And did.) They also walked a boardwalk through a colorful cypress swamp, replete with Spanish moss and bright yellow burr-marigolds flowers. Sunday's events included a Beignet run before worship at First Presbyterian, but not just a beignet-run; it was a comparison tasting Beignet run between two cafes. Food ended the day, too, -- a surprise birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate Debbie's special day.

Reinforcements were added to our number over the weekend. These included Rae Louise Tate (Star Lake), Marvin Spinner (ALbany), Linda and Peter Foss (Scarborough, ME). And arriving on Tuesday: Jack and Susan Abbott (Lake Luzerne).

On Monday we returned to work -- a prime coat on Yolanda's bedroom, continued tile and window trim work, some dry wall, baseboard, and finishing touches on AC and heating systems.

At Royden and Lina's a growing awareness of completion was in the air -- baseboard work continued, the last doors were hung and adjusted, the kitchen cabinets were leveled, tile sealing began, and windows prepared for painting. As the day was ending, the FEMA trailer was being prepared for removal. Completion will be a while, yet, but not long.

They're the NYS-FITS+

He comes from New York or Penn State or Maine
She arrives by car, or by truck or by plane
They’re a student, a preacher, a clerk
They are here to do some hard work.
They’ve the NYS-FITS+


They wear their tool belts with pride
Their energy quite allied
They want the owners back at home
This is the reason they come
They’ve the NYS-FITS+

Each morning at dawn they arise
Rubbing the sleep from their eyes
After breakfast (by George) they will leave
Wearing their faith on their sleeve
They’ve the NYS-FITS+

They install doors, sheetrock and trim
And whether done by a her or a him
Each piece they install is with love
And confirmed by God up above
They’ve the NYS-FITS+

Those who came were not on their own
They got aid from the folk back at home
With their dollars and cares
And with all of their prayers
They’ve the NYS-FITS+

All too soon they will finish and go
And in each of their hearts they will know
That they gave it their best
They could do nothing less
They’ve the NYS-FITS+

by Tom Parsons, Lake Luzerne, New York

A Good Day

We had a good day for construction -- sunny much of the time, temperate weather. The weather report had led us to believe we would have cloud cover and cooler weather. Delightfully wrong!

At Yolanda's house grout and trim work went forward. Our teachers included Ted Tate and Allen Mater. Marilyn was sanding and puttying. John worked on the AC most of the day. Ron Pedersen was responsible for cracking the whip! Most of the baseboard has been cut and ready for installation.

At Royden and Lina's Roland spent most of his day in the closet -- finishing the flooring. Kevin enlarged the size of the bathroom door from 24" to 30." JoEllen and Tom, envious of Roland, spent their day in another bathroom, alledgedly working on baseboard and quarter round. Deb was on her knees, pushing pink spackle into tiny little nail holes, then following up with a piece of sandpaper. Seth Honeyman was running the show, and Eric, though present, kept hiding from Seth's supervision -- when caught he helped Roland.

Hitting Stride

By Wednesday we have begun to hit our stride. Three home sites are being worked on, but our focus is really on just two of them. We hope to complete the rebuilding on at least one of the two.

At Royden and Lina's various floor and baseboard issues have been resolved, the threshold has been corrected, the sink has been centered, the cabinet installed above the stove, molding around the side door has been installed, the hallway and boy's bedroom flooring is almost complete. Seth seems well pleased with his crew!

At Yolanda's, interior window framing has continued, issues with the air conditioning system have been thought through, master bathroom has been sanded, drywall around the tub finished, taping and mudding underway, a door jam expanded to prepare for the baseboard molding, and the baseboard molding was continued. As you might have guessed, Ron is elated!

At the third place, Mildred and Norman's (see photo above), we have been hanging drywall. We had to take down one ceiling -- ughh! -- and then put it back up. About two and a quarter rooms have been covered. Also, two large rooms have been taped and mudded.

Next week when our expanded crew arrives, there are several other homes that we will be working on. The NYS-FITS+ will really be hopping! Stay tuned.

Treading Water in NOLA

Rain, rain and more rain. Because we have been getting so much rain (8" fell today - Monday - in some parts of NOLA -- schools and city offices closed early and Tulane University canceled classes), we began our work day by covering the floors of our houses with protective paper. However if you weren't soaked by the rain outside the house, the humidity got when you were working inside.

Ron and Seth are much closer to having clear lists of work to do, so that we can prioritize our tasks and make clear assignments. In some cases we are undoing work completed earlier, in others we are taking the next step, and in some we are still trying to figure out how to do what needs to be done. We'll begin to roll soon.

We continue to receive information about increasing financial support. Jeff White of Mediapolis, Iowa, has sent money to Bethany in Menands to support our work. Likewise, Sydney Lemire (age 6) had her dad, Jim, forward all the One Great Hour of Sharing money that she had saved this year -- $22.94! These last two push our total up to: $16,218. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we could raise this much!

Our last five rebuilders will be here tomorrow - Tuesday. Kevin and Allen have reached Birmingham, AL, and are within striking distance for Tuesday; JoEllen and Tom are still on the road and should be here tomorrow. Marcia should be here any minute - she was flying into TX.

Finally, you need to know that the weather forecast for tomorrow indicates that by mid-afternoon tomorrow - Tuesday - the rain should stop.

Work Site Visits

Leroy, Roland and Eric toured the houses that FPCNO is working on Saturday morning, paying special attention to Royden and Lina's and Yolanda's houses. These are the two we will concentrate on and try to complete while we are here. The other work sites include drywall installation, roofing and some smaller, short-term jobs.

The picture is of Lina's new kitchen. Debbie and Eric began this home in March with Roland's help. They added the new roof that is visible in the photo on the far left. Other work remaining includes finishing installation of the baseboard, painting the walls, hanging a door, grouting and sealing the new tile and completing the bathrooms.

On Sunday we returned to our two main work sites with the lead builders: Seth Honeyman for Royden and Lina's home and Ron Pedersen for Yolanda's. They did work throughs and later spoke with Leroy about their respective houses.

At supper we self-selected ourselves onto work teams for these two places, and, despite the dire forecasts for rainy weather, began planning for our first day on the job. We have alternate plans if the rain descends on us. Please keep us in your prayers as we begin tomorrow morning.

Patch Work

First Presbyterian Church has a "Pumpkin Patch" in the field adjacent to the building. The work and profits are being shared between the Child Development Program (nursery/daycare) and the church. Such cooperation in the "Patch" benefits both groups. In fact, cooperation is what really keeps this rebuilding ministry and so many other things in life going along well.

Teamwork in rebuilding is cooperation. One volunteer team picking up where another left off is cooperation. Think of all the other places this appears: homeowners who have been helped and who then assist others; companies and organizations who donate tools and materials, or allow employees time off to help.... One of our dreams is to plant the seeds of cooperation so that it's fruits may flourish in all the Patches of our lives and in every life we touch.

And as one of our pastor friends says almost every week at the close of the service, "May it be so for you and for me."

Advance Team Arrives

Eric, Debbie, Roland and George will all be in NOLA today to make preparations for the reminder of our first week's team. In some places, things are still about the same, rebuilt homes and barely touched places stand side by side. First Presbyterian continues to work with families who have very limited resources to enable them to return to their own homes. We are in the process of deciding and gathering materials for the projects that we will be working on this first week. Daily photos, we hope, will be posted.

Two Weeks to Go!

We're counting down the days until we start helping with the rebuilding in NOLA being led by Cliff Nunn and Leroy Harbauer at the First Presbyterian Church, 5401 S. Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans.

Last week we had some increases and decreases in our volunteer numbers, but now I think the numbers have settled down. Our average volunteer week will be 22 persons, and we will be sharing the building with just one other group, that one from Falls Church, VA.

We still do not have a firm count on the money we will donate. It really depends on whether or not the Synod Grant we applied for comes through. With it we should be at about the $10k level; without it we will be around $7k. Either way we hope to be prove ourselves good stewards of the funds given by working hard at our tasks and helping families return to their homes.

Three Weeks to Go

Team Meeting Reminder: Saturday, September 28th, at 10 AM, in Bethany Presbyterian Church of Menands. This will give most team members an opportunity to meet one another, prior to our re-building work beginning on the 22nd.

Our NOLA Challenge: Leroy Harbauer has asked us to work on both Royden & Lina's home near the Dental School and Yolanda's home closer to Lake Pointchatrain. These two homes are approaching completion, but a great deal of finishing work remains. Leroy said the plumbing and AC work should be completed next week.

Katrina Fund Update: Because we have been away, I'm uncertain of the actual total, but from the emails I have read our rebuilding fund is in neighborhood of $4,700. If we can bring a total of $7,000 with us, First Presbyterian should have the financial resources to complete these two homes described above.

Katrina Fund Status

As August ends, our Katrina Fund stands at the $4,193 level. Additional contributions keep coming from a variety of sources. All of this money will be used to purchase construction materials through the rebuilding ministry of First Presbyterian Church NOLA to help families return to their homes in the New Orleans area. Bethany Presbyterian Church in Menands maintains this account for us. Donations of any size can be sent at any time; please put "Katrina Fund" on the memo line. The address for Bethany is 21 Lyon Avenue, Menands, NY 12204.

Seven Weeks to Go

We now know where we will begin our work: finishing Royden and Lina's home. It's pictured on the upper left, after we replaced the roof in late March. Leroy's estimate is that it will take about$20,000 to complete this. If we get done in a timely fashion, Leroy has assured us that there are plenty of other houses.

Quick Notes: Please remember to contact Rose Ann for t-shirts; Please plan on joining us for a team meeting Sat., Sept. 29th, at 10 AM, at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Menands.

Week One: Gary F.; Seth H.; Ron & Peg P.; Ted & Rae Louise T.; Kevin M.; Tom & JoEllen P.; Eric & Debbie F.; Peter & Linda F.; George C.; Marcia S.; Johnny R.; Roland F.; Todd C; Jeff W+5.

Week Two: Ron & Peg P.; Seth H.; Tom & JoEllen P.; Marvin S.; Eric & Debbie F.; Ted & Rae Louise T.; Peter & Linda F.; George C.; Marcia S.; Roland F.; Kevin M.

Week Three: Ted & Rae Louise T.; Ron & Peg P.; Tom & JoEllen P.; Seth H.; Eric & Debbie F.; Peter & Linda F.; George C.; Marcia S.; Roland F.; Gene & Ellie R.; Liz M.; Tim C.

Fall Team Sign-ins

With 9 weeks to go before work begins on Monday, Oct, 22nd, our team is just about in place. Our numbers may yet increase some -- a few have still not decided and Tom and Roland are out beating the bushes to enlist volunteers. Please remember to set money aside to purchase building materials and encourage your congregation/organization to do the same. Donations can be sent to Bethany Presbyterian Church, 21 N. Lyons Ave., Menands, NY 12204 with "Katrina Fund" on the Memo line.

Links of Note: "New Orleans' Deluge," the graphic description of hurricane Katrina's devastation can be viewed by going to this link to a page on the Times Picayune web site. Also, the "Sun Herald" carried a story recently about former President Jimmy Carter and the work of Habitat for Humanity on the Gulf Coast. Click here to view the story.

Week One: Seth H.; Ron & Peg P.; Ted & Rae Louise T.; Tom & JoEllen P.; Debbie & Eric F.; George C.; Marcia S.; Johnny R.; Roland F.; Kevin M.; Todd C.

Week Two: Ron & Peg P.; Seth H.; Tom & JoEllen P.; Debbie & Eric F.; Ted & Rae Louise T.; Peter & Linda F.; George C.; Marcia S.; Roland F.; Kevin M.

Week Three: Ted & Rae Louise T.; Ron & Peg P.; Tom & JoEllen P.; Seth H.; Debbie & Eric F.; Peter & Linda F.; George C.; Marcia S.; Roland F.; Kevin M.; Gene & Ellie R.; Jim & Peg M.; Liz M.; Marvin S.; Tim C.

Katrina Fund Status

As June ends, our Katrina Fund for rebuilding now stands at the $1512 level. Additional contributions, though, are coming from Brunswick and Hamilton Union Presbyterian congregations. (Brunswick's donation will go directly to FPCNO.) Bethany Presbyterian Church in Menands maintains this account for us. Contributions can be sent at any time; please put "Katrina Fund" on the memo line. The address for Bethany is 21 Lyon Avenue, Menands, NY 12204.

Union Presbyterian Schenectady

Ellie and Gene Rowland have been speaking with their pastor and friends at Union Presby. Ch., Schenectady. Ten of their number hope to join us for our third week!

Fall Team Sign-ins

It is very early, since we begin work Oct, 21st, but already our team has started to take shape. While you are planning, please remember to set money aside to purchase building materials and encourage your congregation/organization to do the same. Donations can be sent to Bethany Presbyterian Church, 21 N. Lyons Ave., Menands, NY 12204 with "Katrina Fund" on the Memo line.

Week One: Ron & Peg Pedersen; Tom & JoEllen Parsons; Debbie & Eric Fagans.

Week Two: Ron & Peg Pedersen; Tom & JoEllen Parsons; Debbie & Eric Fagans.

Week Three: Ron & Peg Pedersen; Tom & JoEllen Parsons; Debbie & Eric Fagans.

Mardi Gras Beads Benefit NYS-FITS+

Peg reports that the Fagans' Mardi Gras beads generated $44 at a Bethany church event; this money will go into our treasury. The even better news is that she has some left over for others to use.

RCHFH Has Building Permit and Other Notes

Peg said that the building permit is in hand and work on the foundation will start as soon as a contractor can be scheduled.

Lisa will work as our trusty treasurer again this fall.

MINC will be doing rehab work from June 24th through August 25th. Each week two teams of 15 are scheduled to work. Interest permitting, we will put a team together and get ourselves on their schedule.

Initial Sign-ins

I plan to keep an update in this space of who has signed-up to work and for which weeks. Our first commitments have come from Ron and Peg.

Week One -- Ron and Peg; Deb and Eric

Week Two -- Ron and Peg; Deb and Eric

Week Three -- Ron and Peg; Deb and Eric

NYS-FITS+ Drawing Approval

The first emails of the day were all very positive towards the new name that Marcia created. I hope, too, that this Blog will prove a good way to make informatiion available to everyone.