Vermont Bridges – Dec. 8-14, 2024

Don and Rachel Horst arrived on Saturday from KS to serve as Project Director and Assistant Cook.  On Sunday,  Ethan Spicher from JZ Engineering in Harrisonburg, VA arrived, as well as, 9 volunteers from Delaware, including our Head Cook, Dottie Tennefoss.  Total number of volunteers this week came to 12.

In spite of the cold, snowy and rainy days, this team slipped into their boots and warm clothes each morning to work on the Cook and Teachout bridges.  The placement of rip rap and backfilling was done on the road side of Charles’ bridge and then the team moved to Woden’s bridge site.   Tasks completed included digging out for the footers; placement of the forms; driving down the pylons; installation of the cage and stem wall rebar. Concrete was poured for the footers on Thursday and for the stem walls on Friday.

When it was discovered that our head cook’s suitcase was still at her home, we were grateful that there was a Walmart here.   Dottie was able to get her needed prescriptions filled and purchase some clothing and essentials to carry her through the week.  Since all her menus and recipes were “In the Suitcase”, she and Rachel collaborated in creating meals that keep the team well fed before and after they came back from the job site.  Another memorable part of the week was the generosity of the home owners and neighbors who provided hot beverages and hot lunches each day, including a birthday cake on Friday for my birthday!  

Plans for next week begin with placing the rip rap and backfill at both Cook and Teachout sites, moving equipment to the Freedom Acres site, build forms and make cages for the abutments.

Even though the weather presented additional challenges, excellent progress was made this week.  Our team of volunteers worked hard and were committed to completing the tasks at hand.  I am especially grateful that Ethan Spicher could serve with us this week.  His expertise and youthfulness was well utilized.

Submitted by Don Horst, Project Director