Red Lake, MN – May 26-31, 2024

We had a delightful mix of volunteers this week coming from as far away as Shippensburg, Pa; Tucson, AZ; Berne, IN, Winnipeg, MB and as close as Saint Paul, Rochester and Pierz, MN.  This was the last week long-term volunteers John Stutzman, David King, Dottie & Tim Weber as well as Rachel & Don Horst are here at Red Lake. Janis and Inko will continue as long-term volunteers.  The total number of volunteers this week came to 21.

Monday was a rainy day but by Tuesday, the sun came out and everyone was able to get a full day in.  Caulking and painting was done at the Hill house.  The removal of the old siding at the Kingbird house moved on to completing the painting and installation of the new siding.  The old siding was taken off Michelle Strong’s house and house wrap installed.  At the Grafal house, three old windows were removed, and three new windows and trim installed.  At Mavis Strong’s house, four old windows were removed, and four new windows installed.  A large picture window and two bedroom windows were replaced at the Johnson house as well as all new trim.  After bushes were trimmed, aluminum siding was removed, and house wrap put on two sides of the Donnell house.

The highlight for our cooks was seeing not one but two black bears early in the week and then on Friday, watching a mamma bear care for her baby cub when it was hungry.  Singing “happy birthday” to one of our young volunteers brought out the musical talents of this group.  Glenn Geissenger joined us Thursday evening and Friday while we transitioned leadership.

Projects next week will include finishing up work on the Michelle Strong and Ruthann Donnell homes.

Always enjoyable to be a part of a team that comes together from many places and carries out the tasks at hand with willing hands and a caring heart.

Rachel Horst, reporting for the long termers, which included Don Horst, PD, David King, CS, John Stutzman, CL, Janis Ott, CL, Inko Ndlovu-Mathuthu, CL and Dottie & Tim Weber, HC & AC.