When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

O&W Historical Relic

It has been spoken, that how one deals with adversity defines the metal of the man (or woman), and in the past several weeks, and more specifically the last two weeks, our Sullivan Renaissance Project here in Mountaindale has faced a great deal of adversity through no fault of our own...it is what it is, and comes with the territory as they say.  Couple that adversity with the monsoon weather we have been getting, and our project is behind schedule.  

"Have no fear, UNDERDOG is here"...I know, dating myself again.

It is pouring down rain again today, and I do mean pouring, so spending my day catching up on all the office work that a project like this entails, and making a great deal of progress, as I wait on the letter from the Town of Fallsburg and Sullivan Renaissance which will clarify certain areas of our project that are in dispute.  We will simply go with the flow, and make whatever necessary adjustments need to be made, and who knows, in some aspects, it could work out even better.

1.  It looks like the landscaping at the entryway is going to be negatively impacted, and so we are already busy with alternative plans.  Rather than give away the opportunity to make a bold vision statement at the entryway, it is the projects intention to simply revamp, redraw our plans, and simply make a beautiful entry way on the inside of the posts that signify the gateway entrance, thus abiding by the terms of the newly draw deliverable s, while at the same time being true to the original artistic statement of the project.

2.  Work was started (on our one dry day) in earnest at the location of our first historic element, and if we can catch a break in the weather (Sunday and Monday), look for some WOW FACTOR to start creeping into the project area as soon as next week...this will be an EXCITING time for us on the committee, and for our intern.

3.  Arrangements were made this week to do a big volunteer day with the local Girl Scouts which will involve two troops, so very excited to have the opportunity to be working with them again on this year's project. 

4.  Clearing and clean up of the project area is almost done, and if we can get a few days of sun so that the area dries out, that portion of the project can be crossed off of our list.

5.  We are really excited that the GREEN ASPECTS of this project are pulling together as nicely as they are. It was our intention to use as much reclaimed materials in the project area as possible, and with a few very GENEROUS DONATIONS from people, pleased to announce that about 85 percent of the sculptural interpretation of the 33 Steam Locomotive will be constructed with recycled lumber and materials.

*CURIOUS...does any one have an old 6"-8" bell they are looking to get rid of?

6.  We have our barrels, and thanks to Raymon Elozua kind offer to use his welding equipment, we hope to get said barrels welded, and construction started on the train this upcoming week.

7.  Our fund raising plans are still in FLUX, though we have so far been very fortunate in receiving a lot of in kind donations.

So, we are digging in, and getting down to the tasks at hand, and hope to have a few more great photos to share next week...the one at the top of this articles is the beginning stages of work on our first historical element on the trail.

Fact Sheet Handout-March 2, 2011 Planning/Volunteers Meeting

As mentioned in the previous posts, tonight we will be holding a planning/volunteers meeting as we progress down the road toward applying for our 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Category B Grant.  Below is a replication of the information sheet that will be handed out at the meeting for any of you who are unable to attend tonight, so that you feel "In the Information Loop"  If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like your name and contact information added to our Volunteer/Donors list, please give Sherwood a call at (845)693-4513.

Mountaindale 2011 Renaissance Project-Volunteers Meeting-March 2, 2011
53 Main St. Mountaindale, NY 12763

As in years past, it is the intention of the Mountaindale Community Development Corporation (MCDC) to participate in this year’s Sullivan Renaissance Project, and to apply for a  Category B Grant.  To qualify for a Category B Grant, our proposal must include at least two components.  Tonight’s meeting is to seek your input into this process so that we can move forward with the task of meeting the Renaissance Committees more stringent guidelines for receiving a grant. 

The most significant changes to the guidelines are:

1.  We must include an actual drawn out and detailed design plan for our project…if there are any drafts people or architects willing to lend a hand in this task, the help would be greatly appreciative.

2.  We must provide (too the best of our ability) a detailed inventory list of the plants we intend to incorporate and use in our projects (including their lighting and water requirements).  If any one has considerable knowledge about the native plants of our area, your help in plant selection would be greatly appreciated.

This year, the three proposed components currently on the table for consideration are:

1.  Sprucing up, cleaning up the main entrance to “Rails to Trails” and adding more landscaping materials to give it a more finished look that has some serious WOW factor to it.  Some (as example) Blackeyed Susan and Shasta Daisies, perhaps some low bedding plants and more defined and edged beds so that what is there, such as the fir tree next too the bench on the left side stand out more, rather than looking as if it had just been stuck there as almost an after thought.

2.  The major proposal would be a significant landscaping effort a bit further in on the trail itself that would begin at the old abandoned switching box with the historical information sign just behind it.  This area would be cleaned up, and bedding plants used to better define and beautify the area.  Further more, gravel for drainage and top soil would be used to turn the old switching box into a structural component of this part of the project as the switching box becomes the first attention getter in what will be a far larger part of the project.

Just back from this switch box are the remnants of an old O&W siding where a large landscaping project would be installed…specifically, the intention is to recapture a feeling of our communities involvement with trains, their rich history, by constructing (using found items and objects from nature) a reasonable facsimile of one of the great old locomotives sitting there in the siding as if coming back to life.  Said engine would then be landscaped around, creating the illusion of the train about ready to pull back onto the tracks.

3.  A third component of this years plans would see us drawing more attention to the bridge behind the school by doing landscaped beds on either side of the bridge abutments, and doing some planting along the bank to help in easing erosion.

Our Needs for the 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Project

1.  Volunteers…VOLUNTEERS

Fact is, though seldom receiving the full recognition they so richly deserve, they are the troopers who make reality work, the soldiers who take dreams and bring them into the reality of our world, and specifically our little hamlet of Mountaindale, NY.

2.  Raw materials…plants, stone, top soil, and of course a host of salvaged materials that will help us build the train (samplings, limbs, old weathered lumber or barn wood, and a host of other things).  Any help in the sourcing and or transportation of these items is greatly needed, and will be instrumental in the success of this years project.

3. Donations of in-kind services…this could be anything from water/beverages for our thirsty volunteers, to hardware items and tools needed for the projects, such as sheet rocking screws, wire  and twine, rakes, shovels and even landscaping timbers.

4.  Actual cash donations…we are very grateful for the generosity of Sullivan Renaissance, and the great help that their grants provide in making these projects happen.  But, $1500 dollars does not go very far when you start purchasing nursery stock, yards of soil, and other necessary items, so donations are always greatly appreciated, as it helps us stretch our budget, and often those donations are what allow us to really polish our projects, and take them over the top to a new level.