Karl's Korner

PRELUDE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th, 2011

Sister Kelly Rossini and Brother Cory Ganz spent over five hours prepping the meeting room. They used painter's tape to protect the floor, the newly painted ceiling, the windows as well as the top of the cabinet. Dry-Lock paint was applied to the unpainted mortar. I removed the damaged ceiling in the basement bathroom, trimmed out the side door and added spray insulation foam to areas that leaked. Note: Always follow instructions and use gloves when using spray insulation.

THE BIG SHOW: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

Nick Noussias spent eight hours painting the meeting room. At the same time Brother Adam Huth removed the upstairs kitchen cabinets and walls. Brothers Joe McDermott and Andy Barber finished the work on the side door. It is now airtight and its deadbolt works properly. Brother Cory Ganz helped with painting, but spent most of his time with Adam. I started painting with Nick, but my main responsibility was loading the dumpster. Adam talked his girlfriend Heidi into working with him on his very messy project. We ended our day exhausted but feeling good about a job well done. A special thanks goes out to Sister Helen Louie for providing lunch, water and soda.

POSTLUDE #1: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

After working at EJ, I took down the painter's tape and removed everything from the meeting room. I hosed down and scrubbed the floor to a dull brown.

POSTLUDE #2: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 & 2, 2011

After four coats of wax and four trips to the hall, the floor now shines like the top of the Chrysler Building!

POSTLUDE #3: MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011

My son Rob and I put everything back in the room in preparation for Local B 148's meeting that evening. Brothers Bob Czup, Joe McDermott and I arrived at 5 p.m. to put up new lights. Unfortunately, our toggle bolts were too short. Bob and I hope to return with longer ones and complete the project.

FUTURE MINOR PROJECTS

Paint the meeting room doors a darker shade, caulk and paint the side door, refinish the closet door, analyze and fix the clogged roof drain, etc.

FUTURE MAJOR PROJECTS

Thanks to Brothers Adam Huth, Joe McDermott, Andy Barber, Nick Noussias, Cory Gant, my son Rob, Sisters Helen Louie and Kellie Rossini, and Adam's girlfriend Heidi. We now have the kitchen section of the upstairs apartment open so we can see the condition of the walls, the electrical wiring, the plumbing, etc. We will discuss our next projects at the Union meeting on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 7:30 pm. Come join us and give your opinion. You'll see what the remodeled meeting room looks like. We think you'll like it!