The much anticipated focal point for Yei-Yei’s Game Room arrived this week. The 600+ pound bronze Lorax has taken his place on the pedestal we built for him. The crew had given me a hard time about over-designing the structure for the pedestal base, but I think they changed their tune (toon?) when it took five stout men to move it into place. The delivery company sent two guys to place it and there is no way that would have happened. We were able to move it around adjacent to the exterior doors with a forklift, but from there it was all Egyptian style moving through finished space… in some cases over wood floors and ceramic tile that had to be protected. Fortunately we were able to accomplish this without mishap.
When he realized that he was going to have to help move the statue, John volunteered to take its place rather than do the heavy lifting. That was until it was pointed out that the Lorax is naked in the sculpture. John agreed with the rest of us that, “No one wants to see that!” Poor Lawana!
In any case, the statue is in place with no damage to it, the room or the movers. We are pleased to help the Owner realize their vision. The Lorax looks like it was meant to be there… which it was!
We are currently helping the Ole Olsen Theatre troupe in Peru, Indiana with repairs to the dormers on the old railroad depot that they use as their base. The old wood siding on the dormers have gaps to the point that our crew said you could see from one side of the dormers out through the other side! We are replacing the old siding with vinyl and wrapping the existing window trim with new rot resistant materials. The window glass will be protected and insulated with Lexan covers.
It’s unfortunate that the previous roofing project was poorly executed. Flashings were not installed properly around the dormers causing damage over the years. The shingles were not properly laid out, so the lines are uneven and do not match on either side of the dormers and there is a round turret where the shingle line waivers up and down as it rises. All this detracts from what is an impressive historic structure. The details on the building are quite impressive, though as is often the case with historic structures, neglect has taken its toll over the years. Bob Cooper and Ken Stiles have been our crew on site and they are struggling to fix past mistakes and blend the new work to fit with the historic structure.
Apparently there have been a plethora of gawkers sharing their comments and perspectives with Bob and Ken. One of them spoke very authoritatively on the structure and stated as fact that the structure was over 200 years old. The guys found that a little suspect since the State won’t be celebrating its 200th birthday until next year. I did a little internet research, which I admit is also always a little suspect, but I found references to the railroad first coming to the Peru in 1854 on the Indiana Transportation Museum site. Since is seemed a little unlikely that the depot was built in anticipation of the railroad that didn’t arrive for another 40 years, I did a little more digging. I found the picture to the right showing a picture of the original depot with a reference to the current brick and limestone depot being constructed in 1901 on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Picture page. 114 years old is still impressive, but a little short of the 200 year claim.
Historic structures are always interesting and challenging. We are attempting to be cognizant or the theatre troupe’s limited funds, where more extensive work might be appropriate. We want to thank the Ole Olsen Theatre Troupe for their faith and confidence in Easterday Construction Co., Inc.
We had a retirement party for Will & Kathy Pearson on Saturday night. Kathy was with Easterday Construction for over 38 years and Will was here somewhere around 25 years. As discussed in a previous post here, they will be missed.
Almost everyone in the crew was able to come out for the party. We shared a lot of memories and everyone had a good time.
Easterday Construction Co., Inc. lost another good friend last week with the passing of the Reverend Dr. Ronald Liechty. As President of Garden Court, Ron was a client through the seven Garden Court projects Easterday Construction Co., Inc. has completed. As often happens with good people, Ron also quickly became a friend. You often hear the accolade, “He’s a gentleman and a scholar.” That was Ron.
Along with our interaction on Garden Court projects I also had the opportunity to work with Ron through our mutual involvement in PIDCO, MCCF and the Community Resource Center. Among various other groups to which Ron volunteered his time, Ron set the bar very high in his examples of volunteerism, philanthropy and community leadership. I had the opportunity to attend his retirement party when he left the Presidency of Garden Court and his 80th birthday party. The number of people in attendance at both events and the uproaring of goodwill shared there was testament to how he had touched many lives in the community. Ron’s ability to lead and to find amicable resolutions will be missed. I counted Ron as a personal friend who will not be replaceable. I want to extend my personal condolences as well those of the Easterday Construction Co., Inc. family to Ron’s family. I’m sure they’re aware of how many lives he’s touched but this is just a reminder of how he touched ours.
Eric Wildey of Game Room Guys shared this video he made of the interior of Yei-Yei’s Game Room. Game Room Guys supplied all of the arcade games. I think he’s done an excellent job here!
We were still finalizing a few details when this was made, but I’m probably one of the few that would even notice that.
The page on our website for this project is still under construction as I write this, but if you want to see what’s completed so far, you can click here.