October Work Party, 15 Oct. Present: Elaine Habeger, Jim Morgan, Lowell Satre, Bob Seibold, Jim Stone, Jeff Wagner, MB.
The main thing on the agenda was the door at the Accessibility Ramp. Both Jims, Lowell, and Jeff arrived soon after out 10 AM start time, and we removed the door (more easily than I had expected) and laid it on sawhorses to allow access to the mangled copper insulating strip on its bottom. I had hoped to straighten the strip and reinstall it, but it was beyond repair; we did one pass with a belt-sander and put the door back in place (again more easily than I had feared). It really makes a difference to have enough people on hand.
The door-closing mechanism had to be disconnected, of course, and remains disconnected because we were unable to remove it from the door-frame to tighten its screws. The screw that is readily accessible had no wood to grab, and the hole could not be improved with the gadget in place. More effort will be required to get the device out and reinforce all three holes. For the moment, the door closes easily. I’ll procure a sealing device to attach to the outside of the door.
Jim Rak arrived as the door project was finishing up, and turned his attention to the mess in the Cave (storage area under the Office). I had complained of the difficulty in getting out the metal ramps to load the chipper-shredder into my car to take it home, and Jim has rearranged the items in a more rational manner. This will reduce the hassles involved in getting out the snowblower as winter approaches.
Elaine removed the accumulated leaves and twigs from the screens atop the window wells on the East side of the RE Wing. [On Monday 17 Oct. I worked on one of those screens, removing and reinstalling staples to correct the mismatch between screen and wooden frame. Screens should be slathered with spar varnish to reduce weather-caused deterioration, but that effort will probably have to wait till warmer weather.]
Bob worked on weeds, perhaps for the last time before Spring weather arrives.
All in all, a successful Work Party. Thanks to all.
Martin Berger Youngstown, OH