Activity Update and Schedule Change

Hi all,

A few news tidbits:

First, I need to postpone this Thursday's hewing until next week, as I've got a new student gathering to attend in North Andover.  So, we will NOT be working on Thursday, August 16.  I'll digest the calendar

Second, we've had a couple of fun sessions over the last few weeks.  At one, traditional building stalwarts Hunter '16, Travis '13, and (mom) Betsy Jacques cranked out some good work constructing hewing horses, and Tim Purinton '88 stopped by to arrange his delivery of bricks for our chimney.  Last night,  Kasie (Jacobs) Van Faasen '97 and her two fantastic carpenter sons, Henry ('27?) and Teddy ('30?), pitched in with peg-shaving and some additional horse work.  The Van Faasens take the gold medal for snack contributions, sharing delicious, wholesome lemon balls, trail mix, and a heavenly basil-lime-cucumber juice that's an absolute nectar of the carpenter gods.  Pingree legend (parent, trustee, hockey nut, boatbuilding patron and aficionado...) and overseer Ned Rowland visited, drawn -- as he always is -- like a bee to honey to any fun building project at school, and promises to keep tabs on progress.  

Thanks to all who propel us forward, and stay tuned for additional summer evening dates.  I'll get 'em up here soon.

JE

Hewing this week

Hi All,

Hewing, from 5:00-8:00 tonight (7/10) and Thursday (7/12).  Gorgeous weather for evening work!  Turnout's been slight so far, so we'd love to see new faces.  Athalia split some new white oak peg stock last week, so she's keen to mount the shaving horse and give drawknife lessons to all comers.  Bring your friends!

Also, a new blog feature:  If you'd like to receive blog posts via your email rather than checking here, sign up for direct email notification in the new subscription box, upper right corner of home page.  Enjoy!

JE

Summer, 2012, Work Schedule

Weather and unforeseen interference allowing, I'll be at Pingree hewing logs on the following dates.  I'm hoping I can add a few more opportunities as my calendar gels, but below are what I've got for now.  Times for all dates are 5:00-8:00 PM.  Please check here on the blog if the weather looks rainy.  I'll try my best to post updates by 3:30 PM on wet-weather days.  Look forward to seeing folks on site! 


July 2, 5, 10, 12, 16, 31

August 6, 13, 16

Please remember that you'll need to dress appropriately, which means in sturdy, closed shoes and in clothes you won't mind soiling with pine pitch.  You'll want to bring a water bottle too.

Postponed

Still looks mighty wet.  Let's postpone until next Monday, July 2, 5:00-8:00.

Weather alert

Hi all,

NOAA.gov forecasts 100% chance of "heavy rain and thunderstorms" through this evening.  It doesn't look good for hewing tonight.  I'll post again today at 3:30 PM to either confirm or postpone.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Also, almost no one ever comments on these posts, so I'm not even sure that function works.  Anyone want to test this for me?!  Thanks.

Jay

Hewing, June 25!

Ailsa inspires at Baccalaureate, June 9, 2012.  (She's always craved amplification and five microphones...!)



Hi all,

I'm just back from a second Monhegan sojourn -- this time to replace windows in the cottages with my daughter Athalia and other friends and family.  Since I dashed from a final day of Pingree meetings to Markham Lumber, to Port Clyde and the Laura B out to the (blessedly computer-less) island, it's been a while since I last posted.

I want to let folks know that we'll be resuming work at the hewing site this coming week, and I'm hoping to gather at least once a week all summer.  I'm still trying to get a handle on various summer league schedules that occupy my family's attention, so I'll post a longer-term schedule by the end of this weekend.  Meantime, know that I'll be working this Monday, June 25, from 5:00-8:00.  I'll bring tools, sunscreen, bug dope, and a few pairs of work gloves, but you'll want to bring sturdy shoes and a water bottle.  If you're a newcomer, our work site is on the right-hand side of the Pingree exit driveway, about a hundred yards west of Johnson Rink.  There'll be jobs for builders of all ages.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions/concerns.  My email's jesty@pingree.org.  All are welcome.


See you at the hewing site!

Jay

Ailsa's Big Monhegan Adventure!

     Back from Monhegan last Saturday and it's been a Pingree sprint since...  Our island group was terrific, made so by both the seniors who composed it and Alex Tinari and first-ever alumna intern Meaghan Souza.  For the first time in the roughly fifteen years Ailsa and I have been running these courses, we incorporated a service element, this year helping Monhegan Museum curators Jen Pye and Emily Grey prepare for the late-June opening of the museum.  Photos below of our gang pitching in.  After we'd cleaned, transported, cleared, etc., Emily and Jen brought us up the newly de-leaded lighthouse and into the museum's art vault -- fabulously fun island haunts!

Ailsa and Alex de-mildew the gallery doors.

Meaghan and Shelby DiFiore clean out the fish house.

Keith Morency hauls exhibit materials.

Charlie Parker delivers pizza...  (??!!)

Amanda Monteforte clears the cemetery trail.

The view from the lighthouse!

And, at the end of the day, the group enjoys a well-earned meal.

     This weekend (June 8-10) at Pingree is filled with the rituals of year's end.  Awards Ceremony tonight, Baccalaureate Saturday, and Commencement Sunday.  Ailsa's speaking at Baccalaureate and is sure to bring the extraordinary perspective of her nearly half-century's work at school.  Please join us if you're nearby.

     I'll post a summer work schedule here on the blog as soon as I get my act together (and cross-reference the Esty family calendar.)  I'm hoping to establish a weekly evening or two, starting the last week in June, during which any and all can come to our work site for a few hours and keep Ailsa's house project moving.  Lots have expressed interest, so it should be lively!  Keep checking here for more info.