projects
Safety Inspection
Last week we were working on a reroof project on the east shore of Lake Maxinkuckee for one of our good clients. Superintendent Bob Cooper noticed a car parked in front of the site, observing our work. He went out to check on it and found one of our competitors in the car with a Safety Consultant he had hired. Apparently our competitor had just had a visit from OSHA resulting in fines. He had hired the consultant to assist with the OSHA compliance on the current issues as well as to prevent future problems.
Upon some further discussion it was determined that the consultant was a former OSHA inspector. They were touring around looking at projects and discussing the safety violations they saw. Why were they spending so much time in front our our site? Because he was using us as an example of how to do it right! Our fall protection was in place. Our housekeeping was good. When he heard about our safety program, tool box talks, etc. he suggested that our competitor talk to us. “Sounds like this company does it right!”
We strive to do the right thing on our projects. We don’t want to see anyone get hurt. I cringe when I go by some job sites and see poor safety measures employed. I am pleased when our efforts are recognized by our clients and our peers. Earlier this year we achieved Silver Status in the ABC S.T.E.P. program. <certificate> We will strive to maintain that level or move up next year.
Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival
This past Labor Day Weekend was the 2nd annual Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival. I understand that this was the brain child of Dan Bickel, owner of the Lakeside Cinema and Edgewater Grille. Dan tells a little about his vision for the Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival here. He got a group together to put this on as a charitable event. Carol & John Zeglis are involved, so our “Record” became a “Reel of Film” to welcome attendees. The plan was to roll out the red carpet and make the Film Reel an arch for attendees to walk through.
If you want to read more about the Film Festival, there were pictures in the Pilot News here and an article in the Culver Citizen here as well as the Pilot News front page picture below.
Carol Zeglis commissioned this display piece and we designed it to be durable and reusable. It is made of a solid expanded foam interior encased in plywood. It disassembles into two half circle pieces and it has two separate base pieces to stabilize it. When assembled, the individual pieces are pinned together. It has a recessed edge on one face for the installation of rope lighting. We provided a ground fault interrupt circuit cord for use with the lights. Unfortunately, the display is rather heavy and assembly requires several individuals working together. It has been a hit in its two recent incarnations despite setbacks with installations.
Culver Garden Court Annexation
Culver is moving ahead with annexation of the property on South Main Street where we hope to build a Garden Court next year. (Previously discussed here and here.) Annexation is not necessary for the Garden Court, but it will facilitate the installation of water and sewer lines that will serve the new Garden Court as well as open the surrounding area to further development. This is a positive step forward for the Culver community! I sincerely hope that Mr. Roberts reconsiders his position and joins the petition for annexation.
Antiquarian Entrance
We’ve been working on a couple of projects for The Antiquarian & Historical Society of Culver. This is a continuation of the Museum room renovation we completed for them in the basement of the Culver Union Township Public Library. We’ve been working with their Museum Designer, Ted Swigon of Chicago Scenic Studios, Inc., as he creates the displays for the museum build-out. The first project is a simulation of the train station shelters in the hall leading to the museum entrance. Mr. Swigon had us recreate one of the posts from the west pavilion at the Town Park. The Park pavilions were formerly attached to the train station and served as shelters for loading passengers. The pavilions were later relocated to other areas in the park. We also created a simulation of the dentils at the top edge on a slightly smaller scale. We reduced them in size and eliminated some of the details. Mr. Swigon wanted the feel of the station but didn’t want the details to be overwhelming. The “CULVER” sign is a scaled recreation of the sign found shown in pictures of the station when it was in operation. A vintage picture of a train at the station will be blown up and adhered to the doors beneath the display. This not only will draw visitors to the museum entrance, but helps disguise the existing mechanical room doors at the end of the hall.