New Trees

New Maple at ECC

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. 

Tulip Poplar in circle drive at ECC

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.

CFL’s

Although compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s) still offer a large amount on energy savings, it turns out that they might not last as long as expected.

According to the Wall Street Journal, when PG&E Corp. first started the CFL rebate program, it expected the bulbs to last 9.4 years.  But, the company has decreased the estimated lifespan to 6.3 years, therefore limiting energy savings from the bulbs.  Higher burnout rates were experienced in certain locations throughout the home, like in bathrooms and in recessed lighting.  Turning them on and off a lot also seems to impair longevity.

From Hardware Retailing Magazine, March 2011

Culver Garden Court Ground Breaking Ceremony

Culver Garden Court Ground Breaking
Breaking out the gold shovels. Left to right, Beth Barrett (Congressman Donnelly's representative), Ralph Winters (Councilman), Ed Pinder (Councilman), Ronald Liechty (Garden Court President), Casey Howard (Clerk Treasurer), Ginny Munroe (Council President), Kevin Berger (Easterday Construction) - Picture by Pam Fisher

Today we had the ground breaking ceremony for Culver Garden Court.  As you can see in the picture, actual ground breaking occurred over a week ago and we already half completed rough grading and have the building pad in place.  There was a pretty good turnout including dignitaries from Culver and Plymouth as well as a representative from Congressman Joe Donnelly’s office.  I was pleased that Culver Council President Ginny Munroe attended along with Council Members Ralph Winters and Ed Pinder.  The Culver Town Manager, Michael Doss, was there as well as the Culver Clerk Treasurer, Casey Howard.

Culver Garden Court, Inc. is a HUD 202 project.  It is a 13 unit assisted living facility for senior citizens.  It is sponsored by Garden Court, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation located in Plymouth which has worked to provide affordable housing to Marshall County residents for over 40 years.  It will be the 7th Garden Court built by Easterday Construction.  We have been working for years trying to find suitable property for a Garden Court in Culver and are extremely pleased that the Culver Town Council had the foresight to help with this project and that Wade and Claudia McGee chose to make property available for this project.

Our contract with Garden Court and HUD allows us 12 months for completion, but we will strive to complete work in the 9-10 month range.  We will work to have the facility weathered in quickly which will allow us to proceed with interior finishes even in inclement weather conditions.

Culver Garden Court Start-up

Culver Garden Court had a project closing yesterday at the HUD offices in Indianapolis.  FINALLY!!! The closing for this project was similar to a closing on a house where the mortgage is finalized, the previous property owner receives a check and the ownership transfer is made.  In addition to this, the HUD closing for this project included the finalization of contracts for the construction of the new Garden Court facility.  I was back in the office about 4:30 yesterday afternoon and the first round of purchase orders were sent releasing the surveyor, excavator and concrete contractor to begin work.

Culver Garden Court Site Plan

HUD requires the project to break ground within 10 days.  This should not be a problem at this time of year.  Everyone has been waiting for this project to be released for months.  There will be a separate ground breaking ceremony on April 8th at 2:00pm for anyone interested in attending.  Odds are there will be actual construction going on in the background at that time too.

The project has a 12 month time line.  We anticipate being out of the ground within a couple of months.  We should be weathered in before winter allowing interior finishes to be completed regardless of the weather.

You can see a previous entry on Culver Garden Court here.