Progress is continuing on the outdoor living project previously discussed here. The perimeter walls are going up now. These walls are solid concrete retaining wall block. They are double sided allowing them to be dry stacked vertically and used as both the inner and outer wall finish. A separate cap stone will be installed where the wall serves a a seat wall. Around the kitchen area, shown in the progress picture to the right, a granite counter top will be installed once the stainless steel kitchen appliances and cabinets are in place. The stone floor progress can be seen in this picture as well.
We are currently waiting for the bar stool structures to be delivered. They will be installed using a cantilever support system by Seating Innovations that will be mounted to the floor behind the wall. It will then extend through the wall. The chairs themselves will be aluminum to simulate the stainless steel finish of the cabinets. The seats will be cherry. The seats do not come with an outdoor finish from the factory, so we will be getting them raw and field finishing them with a marine finish. It will require maintenance, but should be good for several years before retreatment.
We’re installing the ceiling at this time as well. We are using vinyl soffit material as the ceiling finish. The flexibility of the vinyl allows it to conform to the wood framework of the barrel ceiling. The ceiling is being installed using screws to allow for future accessibility. This will allow access to the attic area for additions or changes to the electrical system or sound system. Can lighting is being installed throughout along with some ceiling fans and chandeliers. There are also surround sound speakers planned for enhanced television viewing. There will be hurricane shutters that require periodic maintenance as well. When necessary, the ceiling can be removed to access the shutters and actually lower them for service if necessary.
Cabin 2A Opens This Weekend
Last weekend I took some final pictures of the cabin before its inaugural year. We received our Certificate of Occupancy from the Town on the 16th. The Counselors moved into the camp last weekend on the 17th and the first batch of girls will be moving into cabin this weekend. While taking pictures, I was introduced to the Counselor for 2a, who had already moved in. When she was told that I was responsible for building it, she responded, “Cool! You Rock!” I took that as a pretty resounding endorsement.
It’s a little hard to pick out since it has been stained to match the others, but you can see it east of Hwy 117, just across the creek and just south of the basketball courts. You can see some pictures of it under construction in previous posts here and here.
40/40 Notice
It’s always nice to be mentioned. Thanks to Jeff Kenney for the shout-out and quote in the June 16th issue of the Culver Citizen. This was an article concerning Jennifer Laurent and Andrea Cook regarding their Forty under 40 recognition, previously discussed here. Congratulations again to Andrea and Jennifer for receiving the honor.
New Trees
The Culver Tree Commission purchased new trees and they were installed over Memorial Day Weekend. Their funds are limited so the number of trees planted this year was fewer than in the past years.
Easterday Construction Co., Inc. has lost several trees along our street scape and the Tree Commission has slated one of our trees, a Wild Cherry, for removal. We’re not the prettiest face on the street, but I do think our large Oak trees along the street add character. When I was growing up there was a huge tree in the center of our loop drive, but it has been gone for more than 20 years, recently replaced by a volunteer Tulip Poplar.
For those of you that don’t know, the Culver Tree Commission accepts donations for the purchase of trees. I spoke to Tree Commissioner Dick Brantingham several times over the past few years about starting some replacement trees along our street scape. This year we received two Maple trees and a Honey Locust.
We made a tax deductible donation of $100 per tree to the Marshall County Community Foundation in the name of the Culver Tree Commission. I would consider that a bargain. On top of getting a nice tree planted, the Culver Fire Department takes care of watering the new trees in the first year. (If you’re interested in taking advantage of this and helping the Culver Tree Commission next year, contact Dick Brantingham or Mike Stallings. You can also contact the Town Hall to let them know you’re interested in helping.)
When I first moved back to Culver, I lived on Ohio Street in the house currently occupied by the Wesley United Methodist Church Thrift Shop. One of the nice things about that location was the beautiful tree-lined street. We have several such streets in Culver. Thanks to the efforts of the Culver Tree Commission, we will have more in the future.
Cabana Ceiling Framing
One of the more difficult parts of this project (previously discussed here and here) was achieving the crossing barrel ceilings. We had hoped that the truss manufacturer could provide the framework for this, but in the end, we only received square blocked out areas. Coming up with a way to frame this and then actually doing it was a challenge. This is the result, looking up at the area where the two barrels cross with the fireplace in the background.
We are in the process of completing electrical rough-in now. Some of the ENT (Electrial Non-metalic Tubing) being used is visible in the picture. Once that is complete, we will be installing vinyl soffit material to form the ceiling itself. Vinyl soffit was chosen due to its flexibility in conforming to the barrel framing and its linear form that will accent the length of the barrels.