TEAM OF TEN FIVE DAYS MAKES A WORK WEEK, NINE RETIRED SMOKEJUMPERS, ONE CHARMING PROJECT TEAM LEADER , KATY NELSON , REPRESENTING THE SAWTOOTH FOREST WORK CENTER IN STANLEY. PLUS OUR ENERGETIC, TALENTED TOM KOVALICKY REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL SMOKEJUMPER ASSOCIATION TRAIL CREW PROGRAM. TEAM AGES RANGE FROM ROBIN EMBRY , MID-FIFTIES, SHE IS THE FIRST WOMEN TO RETIRE AS A SMOKEJUMPER AFTER 30 YEARS SERVICE. FROM THE FOREST SERVICE , FIVE IN THEIR 70’S AND 3 IN THEIR 80’S. THE “ TEAM OF TEN “ ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THE PROJECT SPONSOR ,THE SAWTOOTH SOCIETY , WHO PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT , THEY ALSO SELECT OUR PROJECTS FROM A SUGGESTED LIST IN THE STANLEY , IDAHO AREA. THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE SAWTOOTH SOCIETY MAKES OUR TEAM OF TEN’S WORK WEEK A PRODUCTIVE, FUN WORKING PROJECT. IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THEM , PLEASE DO. THE 2014 PROJECT WAS TO RENOVATE TWO RECREATION SITES. OUR FIRST BURST OF ENERGY WAS SPENT GIVING THE SUNBEAM HOT SPRINGS RECREATION SITE A TUNE UP , WHICH INCLUDED CLEANING AND REPAIRING ALL WALKING PATHS, WEED REMOVAL AND PAINTING ALL THE METAL GUARD RAILS. A MAJOR PROJECT WAS TO REPAIR THE TWO STONE STAIRWAYS THAT LEAD FROM THE PARKING LOTS TO THE BATH HOUSE , PLUS NEEDED MASONRY REPAIRS. THE LARGEST PROJECT WAS PAINTING ALL WOOD WINDOW OPENINGS AND DOORWAYS IN THE BATH HOUSE. OUR TWO HIGH ENERGY WOMEN TEAM MEMBERS SPENT TWO AND ONE-HALF DAYS PAINTING THE ROOF. THE REST ROOM BUILDING RECEIVED THE SAME TUNE UP..NOW THEY BOTH LOOK LIKE NEW... THE FINAL TOUCHES FOR THIS PORTION OF THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED ON OUR PLANNED SCHEDULE. A FAMILY STOPPED TO TELL US THEY HAVE USED THE HOT SPRINGS FOR FORTY THREE YEARS, THEIR COMMENT WAS “ THE HOT SPRINGS HAVE NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD , THANK YOU “. A SECOND EFFORT BY THE TEAM OF TEN MOVED ON TO THE SUNBEAM DAM REST AREA TO REPLACE THE LOG RAIL FENCE POLES , UPDATE THE MASONRY WORK. LASTLY WE CLEANED , WEEDED AND POLISHED UP THE ENTIRE REST AREA. THANKS TO GENEROSITY OF HANS AND TERRY CARSTENSEN WE SLEPT, ATE, RECREATED AND SOCIALIZED AT THEIR CROOKED CR. LODGE . SHELLY OUR OWSOME COOK PROVIDED EXCELLENT ON TIME MEALS. WE WILL MISS HER WHEN WE HAVE TO FEND FOR OURSELVES. THERE WILL BE REPEAT PERFORMANCE ON A NEWLY SELECTED PROJECT TO BE DETERMINED AND FULL FILLED IN 2015 BY THE TEAM OF TEN. WE WILL ALL RETURN TO CARRY ON THE TRADITION FROM THREE JUMPER BASES, GRANGEVILLE, MC CALL AND MISSOULA.. THE HIGHLIGHT OF 2015 WILL BE................................. THE FINAL PROJECT FOR OUR LONG TIME TEAM MEMBER , GEORGE CROSS , HE WILL RETIRE AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 90. HE OUT WORKS US ALL . WHAT A GUY ! STOP BY THE SUNBEAM AREA AND OBSERVE OUR QUALITY WORK . SEE YOU ALL IN 2015.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 15:35:13 +0000