West Asheville, NC – Feb. 22- 28, 2026

COLD temperatures and wind changed Monday’s work plans.  Everyone was able to work indoors.  Mudding and taping continued at several locations this week.  Work progressed to painting and prepping the floors at the Culler house.  Later in the week work continued at the CONSTRUX house at a quicker rate than last week. Rain again moved work indoors for continuation of drywalling, taping, mudding, sanding and painting on Thursday. On Friday they put up hurricane straps, tar papered the roof and completed the last wall on the CONSTRUX house.  Holes were dug and bases poured at the Gyska house for deck support. Concrete was poured for a sidewalk in Beacon Village.

Our 16 weekly volunteers came from the Shippensburg, PA area.  Many had construction skills that proved very beneficial for the jobs during the week.  On Wednesday the construction supervisor and a weekly volunteer prepared the entry for a long-awaited exterior door for the RSAA building. The door company installed the door, but more finishing touches are needed.

It seemed that every spare minute at the RSAA building was occupied with volunteers engaged in ROOK games. They didn’t even wait for dessert to be served and reports to be given before starting a game.  Again, a puzzle was on the table and many hands contributed to completing the picture.

The group again traveled to Bat Cave to see the bridge projects and visit with the volunteers there.  Part of that group was from the same area as the housing project group so they  visited with friends.  Reports of work were given.  Then everyone moved into the sanctuary of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration where the bridge project is housed.  We gathered for a time of singing hymns together, a pleasant time of singing and worshiping together.

At the end of the month, long term volunteers Bruce, Edith, Mel, Carol, Ron L., Karen, and Eric, say good-bye to Asheville.  Ron and Char will continue through the end of March as crew leader and head cook.  Other long-term volunteers will join them on February 28 or March 1.

Edith for all at West Asheville