FINISHED HOMES

House #24 is Complete!

We closed on House #24 on January 24, 2006. Linda Gentry and her daughter became homeowners on that date. The dedication was held on January 29, 2006, to celebrate Linda’s new house and this wonderful accomplishment.

Tue, 25 Oct 2005

FOR EVERYONE:

The building inspector approved the farming, electrical, and HVAC rough-in on Wednesday.

Dick Keeney finished covering the exterior trim with aluminum on Wednesday.

The plumbing rough-in is still a "work in progress."

Insulation of the exterior walls should be completed this week.

The water line will be extended into the crawl space this week.

Saturday was the day to put some finishing touches on exterior details:

Larry McDaniel added handrails to the front porch and rear deck. He also fixed the back door that wasn't closing just right.

Russell Addison and Rod Loving worked under the house installing drain lines.

Linda Gentry and Pam Vanausdal finished installing the vinyl siding.

FOR BILL SHARRER AND WALLY HANSON

Met with the American Electric and Power supervisor on Monday and they will disconnect the temporary service and connect permanent service to the house today or tomorrow. The bill will be in our name.

FOR BILL SHARRER

Took water sample to Enviro-compliance Laboratories yesterday. They will mail results to the office. Please put a copy in my folder.

FOR JOAN VILLENEUVE:

Did you get a response to our request for landscaping? I would like to get finish grade and grass started before winter sets in.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Anyone who wants to help with the plumbing please contact Rod Loving at (434) 386-5579.

As soon as the drywall contractor finishes we will need volunteers to install interior doors and trim. I will send another email when a date is set. Until then Saturday work opportunities will be mostly cleanup and touch-up.

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work.

Regards,

George B.

Sat, 15 Oct 2005

FOR EVERYONE:

The plumbing rough-in is in progress. Rod Loving and Dave Bryant have the lead on that project.

Today Dick Keeney brought a metal break and bent aluminum coil stock to cover the sub-fascia and rake boards.

Pam Vanausdal, Linda Gentry and her cousin Winifred Thomas were there to help. They covered about 50% of the trim and plan to finish next Wednesday.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

On Wednesday We will continue covering exterior trim and finish the final course of vinyl siding.

On Saturday we need someone to install handrails on the front and rear steps.

If you would like to help the plumbers contact Rod Loving at roderickloving@yahoo.com.

Joan Villeneuve is coordinating with the landscaping instructor at Old Dominion Job Corps to see if his class can landscape the yard.

Regards,

George B.

Mon, 3 Oct 2005

FOR EVERYONE:
As you can see, Saturday was vinyl siding day.

The Amherst County Habitat for Humanity board of directors was represented by Paul Grey, Rod Loving, and Joey Campbell.

Linda Gentry brought family and friends that included Louis Rose, Phillip Kyle, Woodrow Gentry, and Jewell Burford.

Lt. Cody Grey was home for the weekend and came to lend a hand.

Other volunteers included: Jeff Williams, Larry McDaniel, Millard Stimpson, and Allison Banton.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Anyone willing to volunteer with plumbing skills should contact Rod Loving at 386-5579.

Wednesday Oct 5 we will put finishing touches on vinyl siding.

Saturday Oct 8 we will be covering exposed wood with aluminum trim.

What have you done for Habitat recently?

Regards,
George B.

Tue, 27 Sep 2005

FOR EVERYONE:
Wally Hanson and Russell Addison have finished the electrical rough-in and Bernie Wilson has completed the heating and air conditioning rough-in.

On Saturday the 17th of September, family and friends from Rising Sun Baptist Church removed trash from the building site, helped build the crawl space access door, installed deck rail and pickets. Other workers installed starter strips and J-channel for vinyl siding. Rising Sun Church provided lunches for the volunteers.

Volunteers included:
William Thomas, Linda Gentry, Woodrow Gentry, Phillip Kyle, Charles Braxton, Brenda White, Paul Grey, Millard Stimpson, Allison Banton, Pam Vanausdal, and Jeff Williams.

On Wednesday the 21st of September, Ed Stall Worked installed posts for handrails on the front and rear decks while Millard Stimpson completed some interior framing details.

On Saturday the 24th of September Dick Keeney, Millard Stimpson, Alvin Gentry, Phillip Miller, Linda Gentry, William Thomas, and Sue Johnston began installing vinyl siding and soffet.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Wednesday 28 September and Saturday 1 October: We will continue installing vinyl siding. If possible bring a 6' or 8' step ladder.

Regards,
George B.

Wed, 10 Sep 2005

Volunteers installed roof shingles.

FOR EVERYONE:

Today's roofers included:

Dave Bryant, Paul Grey, Sue Johnston, Chris Banton, Phillip Miller, Phillip Kyle, Jeff Williams, Larry McDaniel. Things were progressing slowly until Phillip Miller showed up with his compressor and roofing nailer. It made a remarkable difference.

Russell Addison continued to work on the electrical rough-in and Ed Stahl installed stair stringers on the rear deck. Linda Gentry helped run wire and cleaned up around the yard.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

On Wednesday the 14th. of September we will continue working on the decks, cap the roof, build the crawl space access door and begin preparations for vinyl siding.

On Saturday the 17th. of September we will continue projects left over from Wednesday.

Anyone want to work with plumbers in the evenings? Call me at 946-5927.

Regards,

George B.

Wed, 7 Sep 2005

Ed Stahl

FOR EVERYONE:
The Army Guard group that was supposed to install roof shingles today called to say that they had been activated to provide hurricane relief along the gulf coast and would have to cancel.

Wally Hanson and Russell Addison continue to work on the electrical rough-in.

Russell Addison and Dick Keeney finished framing and sheathing the porch roof yesterday.

This morning Rod Loving installed exterior doors, cornice, and drip edge.

Ed Stahl cut stair stringers for the front porch and back deck. He installed the ones at the front compete with stair treads. (see photo above)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
On Saturday the 10th of September we will install roof shingles. Work begins at 8 AM or as soon as the dew dries on the roof. Bring your hammer and nail apron. I have some extras.

The focus will be on the roof and there will be very limited opportunity for other tasks on Saturday.

Regards,
George B.

Sat, 3 Sep 2005

It was a super busy day at house #24 and 24 eager volunteers showed up this morning. There were so many new faces that I never mastered all of the names. Matching people to tasks was a welcome challenge. My thanks to everyone for their hard work and patience.

Linda Gentry had 10 family members and friends from Rising Sun Baptist Church come to work today.

Barbara Austin (board member) brought her friend Barbara Allen. Both
Barbaras donated their time to Linda's "sweat equity account."

Wally Hanson and Russell Addison began wiring the house while Dick Keeney and Rod Loving directed a crew installing deadwood, cabinet blocking, and corner blocking.

Ed Stahl led a team from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church to build the front porch and rear deck. The church provided the materials as well as the labor. John Pelissier initiated this involvement. Thanks guys! You did a great job.

Larry McDaniel helped install windows and then took a braver group to the roof and set trusses over the porch.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Tuesday, 6 Sep. 05: 9:30 AM: Looking for two volunteers to help sheath porch roof and install drip edge.

Wednesday, 7 Sep. 10:00 AM: Members of the Army National Guard will be installing roof shingles.

Saturday, 10 Sep. 8:00 AM: Site cleanup and begin preparation for vinyl siding.

"SOLI DEO GLORIA"

Thanks,
George B.

Sat, 27 Aug 2005

FOR EVERYONE:
Just talked to Paul. He is at home and nothing is broken. (Paul took a fall that was potentially bone breaking. He went to the hospital just to satisfy me and make sure nothing was misplaced)

I want to thank everyone that came out on a rainy morning to work on the roof system.

Tony McBride brought a crane to lift the trusses to the roof.

Russell Addison and Wally Hanson took care of hook up and tag line
duties. Russell also helped move plywood to the roof.

Rod Loving and Dick Keeney aligned the trusses and nailed the ends.

Paul Grey and Chris Banton locked the truss tops in place. Not a job for the faint hearted.

Allison Banton and Sue Johnson installed temporary bracing on the roof. Allison also went to the hospital with Paul.

Dave Bryant installed sub-fascia and roof sheeting. Hop Crowder ran cut pile, sheathed gable-end trusses and moved lumber.

Pam Vanausdal and Linda Gentry installed hurricane clips.

Bill Scharrer brought a torch and cut the old metal well casing off below ground level.

Lee Lloyd helped drain the rainwater that had collected overnight on the sub-floor. Later she marked studs and helped everyone that needed a hand.

Jeff Williams installed "rat walk" and roof sheathing.

Millard Stimpson helped sheath trusses and kept folks on ladders supplied with nails and lumber.

Linda brought family and friends to help.
Phillip Kyle kept Chris and Paul supplied with truss locks and "rat walk".

Alvin and Woodrow Gentry helped everywhere. They installed hurricane clips, moved a repaired truss, and lifted plywood panels to the roof.

Brenda White and Rayetta Gentry helped everyone passing materials, supplying nails, and keeping the work area neat.

If I missed acknowledging anyone's contribution today please send me an email.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
We will continue working on the roof on Wednesday the 31st and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church will be building decks on the 3rd of September.

What have you done for Habitat recently?

Regards,
George B.

Sat, 20 Aug 2005

Allison Banton and Millard Stimpson. Raising the first wall

FOR ALL:

The heat and humidity didn't slow down the Saturday volunteers. They had all four exterior sheathed, wrapped, and standing before they left today.

Linda Gentry and Phillip Kyle added "sweat equity hours" to her account.

Pam Vanausdal continued to accumulate "good faith hours."

Volunteers today included: Larry McDaniel, Dick Keeney, Dave Bryant, Mike Bryant, Allison Banton, Paul Grey, Russel Addison, Millard Stimpson, and Joan Villeneuve.

FOR LARRY MCDANIES:

Thanks for the OSHA standards book (I think). Enjoyed having you back.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

We will work on Monday and Wednesday next week framing interior walls.

Trusses will be delivered on Wednesday.

We will also work Thursday and Friday if necessary to stay on schedule for setting trusses next Saturday.

FOR BILL KREBS:

Russell and I will start framing interior walls on Monday morning and could use some help if you have some free time.

Just thought you would like to know.

Regards,

George B.

Friday, Aug 19, 2005

"Sweet Spirits" from Sweet Briar and the "midweek crew"

Hi!

FOR EVERYONE:

The Sweet Briar students assigned to the campus Chaplin's office finished the floor system on Monday morning, nailed the bridging, and installed plastic sheeting in the crawl space.

Dick Keeney layed off the walls and cut top and bottom plates on Tuesday.

The midweek crew (Bill Krebs, Ed Stahl, Russell Addison, Millard Stimpson, and Rod Loving) were back on Wednesday to build corners, tees, and headers. They nailed together the front exterior wall and it will be ready to stand as soon as it is covered with house wrap.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: We will need some strong backs at 8 AM. Saturday morning (20 Aug) to stand the long walls.

FOR CHAP: Thanks for coordinating the Sweet Spirits. It was great.

FOR CAROLYN BURTON AND CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON: Saturday morning would be a good day to volunteer.

Regards,
George B.

Friday, Aug 12, 2005

FOR EVERYONE:

The block masons finished laying the foundation today.

Russell Addison took down the batter boards and backfilled around the foundation.

Linda Gentry cut bushes and hedge to improve visibility as you exit the new driveway.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

We are going to give the foundation a few days to cure and then begin adding wood.

Wednesday (10 August) we will install the sill plate, band, and rim joists.

Saturday (13 August) we will build the floor system (girder, floor joists, bridging, and sub-floor.

Monday (15 August) we will host Sweet Briar students and they will build, jacks, corners, Tees, and headers. They may begin framing exterior walls if they have time.

FOR RUSSELL AND LINDA:

Thanks for all of the hard work today. We made great progress.

Just thought you would like to know.

What have you done for habitat recently?

Regards,

George B.

Sunday, June 26, 2005

After numerous delays we are ready to start work on house #24.

Directions: The house will be located at 130 Rising Sun Circle in Monroe. From Amherst: Take Rte. 29 South to Monroe. Turn right on Cedar Gate Road (where the speed limit changes from 55 to 45 MPH). Go 1.6 miles and turn left on Rising Sun Circle. Turn into the first driveway on your right.

The well has already been drilled and the trailer that was on the lot has been removed. There is an old well to be abandoned and lots of masonry and wood scraps to be disposed of.

I would like to work every Wednesday and Saturday beginning in July and maintain that schedule until the house is completed. The workday will start at 8 AM and with few exceptions we should be done by 1 PM. There is not much shade on the lot so come prepared with a hat and sunscreen.

FOR DICK KEENEY:
Could you meet me Wednesday morning to help install the temporary service, set the tool box, and plan the layout of the site? I will bring necessary tools.

FOR THE BUILDING COMMITTEE:
Could we meet at the building site on Saturday (2 July) at 8 AM to go over the house plans and building schedule? I realize this is a holiday weekend. Call me (946-5927) if you cannot be there.

FOR RICHARD HIGHT:
Hope you can make it on Saturday morning. We will be filling in an old well and stacking masonry scraps.

"What have you done for habitat recently"?
Regards,
George Banton

Contact George Banton at Gbntn@aol.com for current construction schedule.