2009

Construction Updates July 19

A gable end is a fine beginning.

Three of four septic tanks were placed in mid-July, as well as 6-100' long trenches for the community septic field. The James A. Sewell Engineered project is for the full build-out, even though it may be years before we fully utilize the system. A single condensed system, rather than individual utilities and septic systems for each building will ultimately be 'greener' than a sprawling network of utilities.   

Dan Dawson of Dawson Construction has been a local hero to our project.

2008

Site Visit Conservation District

August 22

Left to right: Susan, Andrew, Shawn, Chet (Shawn's four-legged companion)

and Matt.

Working with the Pend Oreille County Conservation District, part of our goal is to enhance water quality, minimize erosion, introduce native plantlife, and improve bird and wildlife habitat on the riverfront parcel. This week we began a process that will ultimately find us applying for a funding grant available through the State Department of Ecology. On this day Andrew Huddleston of the Conservation District, Matt, Susan and local contractor Shawn Kulczyk met to discuss the project. Not pictured but vital to this process was Sandie Durand of Cascara Consulting. Photo courtesy of Sandie Durand.

Building Supplies Arrive 8/8/08

While all of the support beams were been milled onsite for the first two structures, we were given a very affordable building package for all of our 2x4s, 2x6's, 2x12's, sheet goods/plywood, and Simpson metal bracing from Matheus Lumber Company. 

A big thanks out to Dan Powell of the Ellensburg Washington division.

Below: Matt bends rebar to be placed within the ARXX building blocks that will comprise the foundation forms, and insulation.

Below, the foundation wall pouring team of Ryan Kiss, his father Steve Kiss (center), and a grateful Matt (holding rebar). We owe the Kiss family dearly for their four plus hours in the summer heat on August 14, 2008. Lunch and thanks were their only reward.

As Steve and his son were leaving, Steve said, "if you need any more help, let us know".

A fine family, and fine friends.

 Summer '07 Hired Help

September found the fine crew member we have in Alex Hankins of Duvall, Washington coming to his grandparent's farm once again. Last year when he was only three, his participation was reserved to watering young trees. But this year Alex was able to join his grandfather (Matt) in the forest for work of a grittier variety. Alex has been coming here since 2005, and we expect the seeds of conservation and reverence for nature so carefully sewn in him will take root, eventually passing down to his own family.   

March 17, 2006

Water Well Drilling

The family owned company of Fogle Pump & Supply, Inc. of Colville, Washington were entrusted with the To Honor community well-drilling in mid-March.

Many weeks of Winter temperature fluctuations caused road use restrictions, postponing the planned February drill. But on March 16, 2006, Fogle's 68,000 lb. drilling rig was finally able to slip in during a pre-dawn freeze.

In just over six hours of drilling, at an depth of 200 feet, an abundant supply of cold, clean water was found. The following day the crew returned, on Saint Patrick's Day, and the well was developed, then capped for future use. A job well done.

We like to thank the very community-minded Rod Fogle of Fogle Pump & Supply for his support of our nonprofit endeavor.

The crew, probably accustomed to being pasted and splattered with wet blue clay in the drilling process spent a noisy six hours in freezing temperatures before they broke through to washed gravel, and clear water. We are grateful for their efforts.

The bid provided us by Fogle Pump & Supply's Bill Davis in July of '05, was honored in the best sense/cents of the word; by actually coming in 'under' bid.  

Thanks to everyone at Fogle for making this such a positive experience!

Spring Visitors 2006

There have been many who have demonstrated generosity to To Honor to date. Since the Spring of '06, we have the following donors and visitors to thank. 

• Pend Oreille County Public Utility District Director, and Rotarian Robert Geddes was an honored guest in late April. We enjoyed warm conversation, and shared the goals and vision for the To Honor community.

A BIG thank you from the friends of To Honor for a comprehensive site visit by Eric Eldenburg of James A. Sewell & Associates of Newport, Washington. Eric was kind enough to offer insight on our future water delivery, and waste water/sewage project here, and we appreciate his generous gift of time and expertise.

• Thanks is also due the Washington State University Extension Service and Pend Oreille County Conservation District crew of Janet Lambarth, Carol Mack, and David Winkler for their May 11 '06 site visit with a representative from the Pend Oreille County Board of Commissioners.

• November of 2006 we met with Andrew Herrick of Sliderule Engineering and Issaquah Washington architect, Terry Phelan. Both were very gracious with their time, and shared many ideas on our strawbale dwellings.  

Time and again we find our project forwarded by such spirited support.  

Spring 2006 Archive of Activities

A previously bountiful garden site was tilled anew May 2 of 2006. 

After a long day working in the forest, Matt indulged Susan's request to prepare a round garden area.

Once it was explained that the garden would be 'pie shaped', all resistance to  the evening chore vanished.

       Meanwhile, we continue to whittle 

       away at the To Honor entry marker.

Milling Begins

With the Spring 2009 strawbale building workshop ahead, milling timbers for our first home building project began in earnest. The first unit of lumber was placed undercover in the barn on February 26, the second on March 5, and Matt has beem milling regularly since.