Friday - Voorheesville, NY

What we do when we are not building and repairing

The Hammer Heads - Work Day 4

Very late and very tired. The team worked till almost 6:30 getting the job done. We were ready to skip dinner so we could finish. We ran into several obstacles today, but with God's help we overcame them and were able to leave Calvin and Barbara a secure insulated modular home ready for the winter. Cal was especially helpful to the team in suggestions on how w to solve some of these problems, and considering most of us knew little to nothing about trailer skirting before we began, the team felt like we really did a professional job. What is best of all is that we did it and all are fine and have their twelve toes fingers and toes. OK, so we grew some extra thumbs. Just kidding. Looking forward to getting a good night sleep and getting to Vhorreesville, NY tomorrow and home on Saturday. Pictures will be posted tomorrow on what we accomplished, so be looking for them here. In Christ name,

The Maddest Blogger

Load 'em up - heading home (of sorts)

8 crews - 8 residents complete

Awesome work

Awesome connections

Load out Friday morning - heading to Voorheesville, NY (outside Albany)

Thank you all for your wonderful support.

The youths, young adults & adults all appreciate it!

Will you get involved next year? Of Course ....!

Mooseberries Day 4 Work Day

Today was an awesome day. We finished up everything we had wanted to do and left Joan with a house that was secure where every window and door and latch locked. Dan and Holly worked on the basement door, Sabrina and AJ worked on the window stops and then we all painted the deck and fixed the garage door. For lunch we went to Beal's Island for lunch for some Very Local lobster rolls. $120 later, we continued on to the Wild Blueberry Land to take a group picture with the muffin man.
Well, it has been a very long day and its going to be even an even earlier one tomorrow. Goodnight my friends and family and see you soon.

Dirigo Again - Fourth and Final Day

Here you see Sarah Nystrom and Dana Petro demonstrating the tall and short painting techniques they developed this week.

With the help of artist and longtime YSP supporter Lisa Ruschman, Alex Young made this beautiful garden stone for our homeowner, Eva. Steve Silvestro helped present it to her during lunch today. Eva immediately declared that it was much too nice to keep outside.

Before we painted the last section of the house, we all signed our names. We even had those who were visiting the site add their signatures - Rob Lewis, Rob Pauley and Nicole Silvestro. Even though no one will ever see those names again, they will forever be a part of Eva's house - just as she will forever be a part of our hearts.

Today was a bittersweet day for us as we were thrilled to complete the task that had been given to us this week, but we had to say "Good-Bye" to our new and dear friend Eva. If you look closely at the picture of Eva with the youth, you can see her cat and constant companion PeeWee. May God Bless Eva, PeeWee and all those we've met this week in beautiful "down east" Maine.

Words from Flat Tammy

Well the day did not start out too well as I got wrapped up in something early. And I have no idea what a Mooseberry is, though by the sound of it it’s likely something to do with the hindquarters of a moose. Anyway, after what seemed like hours but was likely minutes my gallant knight in shining armor saved me with his Exacto knife, which I used later that day to cut some foam board insulation. And was I ever surprised that you needed a knife to cut foam. I was sure all the bubbles would just pop. But Rob showed me this foam was solid and was used to insulate the bottom of trailers. And I thought foam was only good for bubble baths! So all day long Rob took me too many of the sites where the young people were working. I am so proud to be with them. They may be 3D people but they have 4 D hearts that hold the love of God, the love of Jesus, the love of family and especially the love of their neighbor. It makes me just want to shout for joy. But then I can only make rustling paper noises so I need you to shout for me. Nighty night and looking forward to seeing you soon.

Mooseberries Day 3 Work Day

The team pulled off a "1st strike" attack on the Neil Nystrom and Laurie Babcock's van by shrink-wrapping the entire van. (We expect a retaliation...soon) On our way to the job site we were asked to help the local Historical Society to move some display items that were VERY heavy. We also got a real good lesson in local history from the son of the curator. At the job site we built a rail around the front porch including a rail down the steps. The team installed smoke detectors, re-hung the newly painted shutters, and re-hung a cellar door. We are looking forward to finishing the jobs tomorrow!!

Building the Better Mouse Trap (Seriously)

IF we had to remove a small visitor, This MIGHT be the way to do it.

IF (well maybe) then this would be the suggested way to relocate a smal visitor.

IF that small visitor wanted to sit in on our meetings.

IF (well maybe) there were engineers in the group.

IF it worked - HUZZAH!

HUZZAH!

The Hammer Heads - Day 3 Work Week

Day three and we are getting there, though our progress was hampered by the temporary loss of Nicole (a.k.a. Tool Time Girl) due to weakness for a sore tummy (see empty chair). She will be back tomorrow. So we were able to get 90% of the sheeting material up and all of the plywood has been primed. Tomorrow we have the big task of cutting and putting up the plywood plus some small items. We have to give 110% since there is no crew that will follow us. But the team stayed late today to get what we needed to get done and I have faith that they will meet this challenge. Andreas and Chuck have both been inspirations to the team and the team has been an inspiration to the crew leaders. We are blessed by them and their encouragement, especially when we run into an issue that seems insurmountable. But God has been with us so who could ever be against us. And Calvin, the home owner, has been helping at every turn. So we will succeed. And then it will be…ice cream time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Maddest Blogger

PS: Please note Kev is a.k.a. "MC Hammer." My mistake on yesterday's post.

Crusty Crew day 2 and 3

The Crusty Grew has been very busy the last two days. We have been working side by side with the Mobsta Lobsta crew at our house. Or work has included tearing off 6 layers of singles from a roof, taring out insulation and replacing it, painting, hanging, taping, and mudding drywall, hanging drop celing, cutting wood, reinforcing a roof , all of this and we ae still having a great time. Our interaction with our home owner Kathy has been extremely rewarding. We plan on finishing as many of our projects as we can tomorrow on our last work day as well as start and finish a stair repair job in the front of the house. Special thanks to Nicole A. for her help and leadership today on the job site.

Mobsta Lobstas

The ceiling "Dream Team"

Part of our roofing team: Ryan, Mark, Trent, Scott

The new ceiling... almost as beautiful as the ladies :)

Day three: Had a great day today. The ceiling was finished after a long day of painting the tracks and then cutting the tiles with the appropriate measurements. (Lots of trial and error but we were pros by the end.)
The roof crew made significant progress on the roof today and even stayed past the allotted time to finish the job. Kathy seemed very pleased with our progress and even gave us all some peppermint patties for the first time! :D
-Jonesy & Nugget-

The Rocky Rebuilders Work Day 3

Today was a very cool and foggy day at the worksite at Mrs. Tibbitt's house. Today, as well as yesterday, we worked on the framework of the house while installing insulation and plastic wrap at the same time. Evelyn was much more active today, probably because her colonoscopy was over with. She ate lunch with us and was just a pleasure to be around; she also shared some life lessons with us: "don't put off tomorrow what you can do today", "don't do drugs or alcohol" and "Be yourself and don't ever change". Tomorrow we are planning on finishing the framing and we are hoping to install "sheetrock" over the framing. Looking forward to finishing the job for Evelyn and seeing the completed house. Will update our progress tomorrow night.

Dirigo Again - day 3

It's been a week of firsts for us. Several of the crew members had never bfore painted the exterior of a house. Now we can cross that gem off their buclet list! Another first was Sarah's very first EVER peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She enjoyed the one Dana made especially for her today.

We ended our day with yet another first - Alex and Syd competed in the first YSP Scrape Off! We were all tired at the end of the day yet one corner of the house remained unscraped. Alex and Syd decided to see who could scrape the most and quickest. When all was said and done, Alex (always the gentleman) declared that Syd had won - even though Alex scraped paint like a mad Russian!

Creative Energy !

Surprise - some how, somebody managed to WRAP one of the work crew vans in Saran Wrap. You gotta love it!

Always looking out so nobody falls out :)

Foggy Start of Day 3

The youth get up EARLY to get in an early morning run. . . Yes, this morning was a very foggy start (and the fog/low clouds stayed all day) the evening was socked in with rains coming when we were invited to a bonfire on the ocean with "Coach" Cliff McCormick on Sand Bar Island. Still had a great devotion and learned an inmmense amount about the local Downeast communities.

Words from Flat Tammy:

Well, day 2 in I am still in one piece. It was just such a good day today as I got the chance to so end the whole day with Robby L. and a work crew. Man do those kids work! Stripping roofs, painting and dry walling. It’s like they just suddenly turn into super construction workers. Maybe it is something those cooks are feeding them at breakfast. I don’t know but so far, whatever it is, it seems to be working. I do know one of the young adults talked about it being a spirit thing, though I am really not that find of spirits. Or spiders. Or snakes. And do not even mention termites. Why they would have me for lunch like I was some sort of tasty twig. But I digress

I did get to see a little of the town today I also learned from Ms. Laurie that the town is called Cherryfield because after the harvest when all the blueberries are picked the old bushes die and turn red!

At one of the work sites they let me help out with a ladder and cutting a board one of the projects. And I did not even lose a finger (or leg or my head). Eat your heart out Mr. Bill!

Well once again it is sleepy time. Tomorrow is another exciting day. Maybe I will get a chance to hammer some nails. TTFN

“The Maddest Blogger”

Cooks - some thoughts

Our day starts a bit earlier than the crews, breakfast prep, lunch setouts for 71 workers to make their sandwiches, dinner prep (plus the necessary shopping) and dinner plus evening snacks. Can you guess how much ice we go thru in a day? (just add a few bags to that).
The fireworks are shot through the fog at the Cherryfield Days festival & are shot off from the Cherryfield Elementary school where we're staying for the week.
Jim Post, Julie Kanaga, Doug Kepp and Barbara Weil - we love you guys!

"The Steaming Pots"

Random thought from the cooks
Serious slicing of vegetables and fruit everyday for the hungry workers.
If you are going to the store, do not forget your calculator to figure out the best price per unit.
Help wanted! Really good help wanted! Seriously, we need help! (Wow, see above that we got help)
20lbs of taco meat and 220 taco shells later….still going strong, and that is not just the onions.

Dirigo ... Again day two

Waking up sore and tired from our first day at work, we are the "Dirigo Again!" [ say it like dair we go agin] We made our way back to Eva's house and the air was crisp and cool as we loaded up our tools with a lot of accomplishment from the previous day. Alex Young instantly started using the electric sand shaver (ie. electric sander). Sydney McGiffin began using her new favotite tool the caulk gun. The rest of us - Sarah Nystrom, Neil Nystrom, Laurie Babcock, Steve Silvestro, Anthony Wendorf and Grace Sheppard grabbed our brushes working vigorously. We finished our layer of primer before lunch. Lunch was filled with us chatting with Eva and watching PeeWee the cat catch a butterfly.
We finished our day with a white painted wall. We were covered with paint and in desperate need of showers!

Team Dirigo Rock Stars

Two great days so far for our team. We are helping out Iris this week. Her husband died 18 months ago and she has a hard time keeping up with needed repairs. We have a long list this week... replacing 4 windows, installing a sliding glass door, priming/painting a deck and if we can get to it- some scraping and painting.

As we learn more about Iris during conversations with her, it's apparent she has led an interesting life. Her passions are serving others and her cat, Georgie. While she cannot get around easily, she is still able to volunteer and does work for a local animal shelter from her home.

Iris thanked us repeatedly when we were able to present her with her keys to her new sliding glass door. (see picture)

Our Rock Star line-up includes; Emily Harker, Aidan Walsh, Amy Cilensek, Ian Kallay, Kyle Nagle and Mike Gallagher

Our leaders are Scott Young and Jeff McMillen. They are amazing. We have a blast and are getting a lot done.

Hammer Heads - Day 2 Work Week

Another good day. Almost completed all our prep work. Crawling under the modular home, finsihed the skirt framing, painting the shutters. Tomorrow is the big day where we put the plywood and insulation up for the rest of the skirt and hopefully do some priming before the finishing painting. Long night and have other blosgs to input, so just a few thoughs (random) form the team from today’s work:
Nicole a.k.a.”Tool Time Girl”- Not tonight. My tummy does not feel well.
Brittany a.k.a. “Craftsman” – It takes a team to accomplish great things!
Chuck a.k.a “Sledge” – When in doubt order twice.
Nick – Under the trailer is the coolest place.
Garrett a.k.a “The Magnificent Mallet” - The house owners were amazingly nice
Laura a.k.a “ “Hammernator” – The owners of the house we are working on are super nice as they fed us ice cream and cake! Yum!
Kev a.k.a. “MC Hammer”– Too busy with the ladies!
Andreas a.k.a. “Thumb Nailer” – After you hit your thumb start your lunch break. That way you can use the ice in the cooler.
Mike a.k.a. “Tack” – Measure once, cut it till it fits or use shims, whichever works.
The Maddest Blogger

Lobsta Mobsta's day 2

Hello Viewers! It's Megan Gallagher curently, and I'm on the "Mobsta Lobsta" work team. We are currently working for lady named Kathy and I've been roofing!
This is such an exhilarating experience seeing how God works here. Maine is gorgeous so that alone is Godly. But these youths and people in Maine are even more evident.
I am just enthralled. I said a prayer tonite at a church (Faith United Methodist Church, Harrington, ME) that was hosting us for a dinner and I felt God even more.
These ar some different kids this year, but we are all united in Christ. I am more than pleased and can't wait to see what happens at the end of the week.

Thanks for all your prayers and for watching us as we work.

Mooseberries Day 2 Work day

Today was a very productive day at Joan's house. We got a lot of different things done and the house is really starting to look better, both inside and out. We removed and painted the shutters, which were very old and worn. They now look brand new. We also repaired a front window that will now close and lock. Joan said she feels much safer knowing that the window will close and lock. The front porch is now in it's proper place and has received it's first coat of paint. A new railing around the deck is now under construction. New lights have been installed on both sides of the front door. Joan told us today that she slept much better last night knowing that we were coming back today.

We have gotten so much done already, and we still have plenty of time to do more!

The Rocky Rebuilders Work Day 2

Our team consists of Lynda Otte, Dan Gallagher, Ruben Weil, Andrew Denton, Cori Babcock, Adam Nagle, And Meghan Calvert. Our home owner is Evelyn Tibbits. She is going to be a great great grandmother come December. She has a huge heart and a great sense of humor but most of all she is filled with determination. We are rebuilding the framework that supports her trailer along with fixing the insulation. We are learning how to use many tools on the site such as circular saws, drills, and sledgehammers! We feel the Holy Spirit work through our hands in our service for Evelyn and Jesus Christ and are always excited to go back and work some more.

Mobsta Lobstas

Over the blacktop and through the woods of Cherryfield we traveled to our home site where we took on many projects with two other teams. One is of which is from a church in Massachusetts. Some of us tore up 6 or more layers of shingles to prepare for replacing the roof in certain areas. A few of us tore down wood gutters. We are also working on replacing a ceiling. This includes removing tiles and insulation and addressing some water damage. This process uncovered an old news paper from the year 1907. It was pieced together and rather interestingly enough so much has remained the same over the years. Kathy our homeowner says she regularly sees a moose that travels between her property and another which we secretly…(well perhaps not so secretly)...hope to see but we have been warned that he is not too nice. I guess he is not Bullwinkle. All in all we had a very productive and fun day and look forward to all we will accomplish this week. - The Mobsta Lobstas: Mark Jarrell; Lauren Gregory; Allee Vito; Jordan Jones; Erin Walsh; Ryan Parr; Trent Kusar; Scott McKnown; Megan Gallagher