I posted this in two parts so it wouldn't take as long to load up the threads!!

This is Part One!!!


The day started with our traditional breakfast at Lindos on the north side of Michigan City. We also had a short and informal meeting. June, the out going director, introduced Jackie, the new director to the club. Jackie is seated on the far left end of the table.


Harold raised the newly aquired state of Indiana flag that was furnished by the Indiana General Assembly.


Everyone spread out and started working on different projects. Cindy started weeding the flower bed around the porch. The pretty yellow mums were planted last fall and came back beautifully this fall!


Several of the guys were gathered around the main new fall project...the replacement of a platform for the historical implements. As you can see in the foreground, the old platform has rotted and is dangerous for visitors.


A few of the day lillies were still in bloom.

While some started on the weeding, the guys can still be seen in the background finalizing their plans for building the new platform/deck.


Out with the old post and in with the new frame.


Meanwhile on the inside,Doyne and son-in-law, Carl, start to remove the wood strips to expose the underside of the stairs to the attic. The stairs were in such weak condition that support had to be added to make them safe for public access to the new spiral staircase to lantern room.


The century old cart seems to be waiting and watching the construction of its new stage.


Club president, Kate works on the front basement stairs reattaching the non-skid pads.

Meanwhile, Jodi is repairing the back stairs to the basement.


Doyne, far right, whose plan Jeff is going to manage, checks out the start of the frame before returning to the stair repair project.


Judy says this image is for Jakers! This in the past has been a job that the 2 of them did together.


The job is to clean out the algae and "gunk" that collects in the water in the historical horse trough.


Shellie (in the sun) and Kay (in the shade) are weeding along the north flower bed and fence which was a new project started last fall.

Carl and Doyne attach the new support boards to the underside of the stairs.


They glue and then nail them in place. Doyne says that after 24 hrs they will be a solid as walking on marble stairs.


Doyne feels a special pride working at the lighthouse with Carl and his friends. The sense of accomplishment of making the lighthouse a safer place for visitors is obvious on both of their faces.


The supports for the deck are just about finished. Some of the boards are already being laid in place waiting to be attached.


Some of the girls work around the sign, Margaret Ann weeds the day lillies along the east side fence.

It\'s about Lunch Time and Part Two!!

I don't want to get in trouble for noticing this, but did anyone else notice that ALL of the women are hard at work in these photos and MOST of the men are standing around either watching 1 guy work or deciding how to best undertake some task? (Or perhaps trying to figure out how to turn this 'guy job' into a 'gal job'?)

But I have to send congratulations to all on how great the place looks and how many improvements have taken place with the help of the Hoosier Lighthousing Club!!

Way to go, guys and gals!

John, Blind Tony (our union rep) will be paying you a visit shortly to discuss your ailing vision and explain to you exactly what you are seeing.... correctly

Come to think of it, it does look strikingly familiar to a recent visit I had to a booth set-up at a trade show at McCormick place.

Mike