Welcome to the Meany Work Party Page

if you have been wondering what it takes to keep Meany going, well come to one of the fall Work Parties in the fall and see what it takes. The cost to you -- is absolutely nothing -- well some work would is required.

We offer mid-week and weekend workparties, If you want to attend any of these simply click on work parties, pick the weekend and sign up.

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Work Party Reports

Please click on any of the topics below to go directly to that section or simply scroll down

• July Report
• August Report
• September Report
• October Report

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July Report

Attendees

The following individuals were at the work party: - THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING !!!!!

1. Doug Damm
2. John Rice
3. Bob Grass
4. Tom VanDevanter
5. Dan Solomonson
6. Don Finrow
7. Phil Christy
8. Mike Lonergan
9. Patti Polinsky
10. Dave Claar
11. Ray Nelson
12. Phyllis Nelson
13. Emilio Marasco
14. Jim Fahey
15. Linda Marasco
16. Christopher Marasco
17. Juliana Marasco
18. Avner Aharoni
19. Nimroul Agmon & son Vri
20. Dan Nord
21. Jim Noyes
22. Tom Dunston

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Intro

First, as with any event at Meany, a cook and "galley slaves" are required to feed the hungry masses, well at this work party, the cook was Don Finrow and the galley slaves were the Harkness/Marasco clan.

Second, I'm sure most individuals have heard of the committee talk about the fossils and how the lodge is indebted to them for all of there tireless work that they put in, well during this work party, we manage to get a picture of a bunch of them lounging around the lodge

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Road grading and creek crossing repair

The backhoe was delivered as scheduled on Thursday. It was used to repair the water damage up the hill to the Railroad tracks and did some straightening up of the creek crossing. Someone had fixed up the creek crossing about an hour before we got at it but left it a little rough in places.
Webmaster note: I was up at Meany for the MOFA class weekend in June, and I can tell you that the creek crossing and road then was extremely rough, mostly 4x4 were only able to get to the lodge. In July I was able to drive my mini-van to the lodge.

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Lodge foundation

Lodge concrete foundation wall was exposed, treated with a sealant, a new 6 inch drain pipe placed on the footing and backfilled with drain gravel. Because we did not get the last truck load of gravel until late Monday we did not finish the back fill. When the final grading and backfill is complete, we will put some logs on the brink of the slope going into the Lodge to keep cars from getting to close to the drop off into the foundation.

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Campus grading

The dirt and rocks removed was used to fill the areas around the Cat House and Zoo. These areas received their final dressing and are believed need no further work, in prep for the leveling, various miscellaneous equipment was moved away from Zoo

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Water Supply Dam repair

The leak at the water supply dam was fixed. The dam was extensively repaired in several aspects rather that replaced. Replacing it turned out to be just too big a task at this time.

It should be noted that when the dam was filling that there was some minor leakage. It is not known where the leakage is taking place (it is not obvious). The dam did mostly fill and was supplying water to the 1500 gallon storage tank. The hose and water collection arrangement was left in place just in case there are further problems that develop with the reservoir. It may become necessary to further seal the bottom of the reservoir with a clay substance or some other method.

For now and some time into the future it appears that the dam is structurally sound and should serve our needs fine (it may not look as pretty as new). What is in question is the sealing of the bottom and around the ends of the dam. Time will tell on this point.

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Furnace inspection & fire wood

The shrouds around the wood furnace were removed and the furnace inspected. The shape of the furnace was found to be in better condition that it was feared it would be. Based on what we have observed we do not feel the furnace needs to be replaced at this time. What needs to be done is to replace the shrouds with new, replace the elbows and horizontal flue pipe along with replacement of blower used to draw off heat from the furnace and direct into the basement.

Collecting and splitting fire wood was carried out. The trees down in the swamp were cut up, mostly split and hauled to the lodge. The trees behind the Tow Hut that were down have been cut up and hauled to the Lodge.

There are limbs that still need to be chipped as a result of the wood gathering. A lot of limbs were chipped.

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Electrical Work

The electrical work on the tows started. The old switch gear was removed; trenches were dug for the new electrical runs to the Turtle and Super Worm Tow. The conduit was placed in the trenches. More conduit parts are needed and will be acquired and use at the next work party.
(Note: the trenches may be back filled at any time except for the last 50 feet of the phone line run toward the Lodge - there is still work to do on that end and the conduit needs to remain free there).

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Other tasks

I apologize for not having pictures of the other activities, but here is what was also done

• Work was done on Moose and a lot of engineering of items to add or repair. Next work party will see many of the additions and repairs now that we know what is needed.
• The really thankless task of digging out the garbage pit and burning the remains was performed by Avner Aharoni, Nimroul Agmon & his son Vri. They also chipped in and helped to finish up the foundation trench.
• Gas cook stove was repaired and should be 100% at this time (really makes the First Aid person breath a sigh of relief)
• The Jane was cleaned out and made ready for its intended purpose, just in case the dam repair didn't take.
• The old Dino parts were taken to the diesel hut.
• The drive wheel was removed from the Turtle and the idler wheel was removed from Super Worm for repair. The wheels were taken to town for repair and will likely not be available to be placed back in the tows until October.
• The bridge across the swamp on the junior trail was removed and a trench dug to place the old culvert in to serve as a new crossing of the swamp. Work was not finished on this item and is a good item for the fall work parties.
• A new exterior light was installed on the Zoo to provide entrance light in the dark.
• Squirrel nests and remnants of the fir cone dinners were removed from the Cat, Diesel and Gas House
• Propane Hut was cleaned up and remodeled by Dan Nord, to permit the rearrangement of the existing tank and possible placement of a new tank in anticipation of having a propane alternative when a new wood furnace is placed in the Lodge replacing the existing wood furnace.
• Old snowmobile was removed and taken to the junk yard.
• As for fire escape on the front of the Lodge, the temporary support poles were placed and new concrete foundations for the new permanent support poles were placed. The light was removed from the support pole and replaced with a new light installed on the Lodge front wall. A lot of lumber that was brought up for this project was lost to the dam project. Sigh

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August Report

Men's dorm remodel

Early in August the remodeling of the Men's Dorm was started; yes Norm, Deb and Alex, out of the kindness of their hearts, and not wanting to hear the begging and pleading of the Men, decided that the Men Dorm needed an overhaul. So Out came all the old beds and on went new paint. Sadly no pictures. This remodel will continue with new carpet and beds.

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August midweek workparty

Attendees

The following individuals were at the work party: - THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING !!!!!

1. Doug Damm
2. Dan Solomonson
3. Phil Christy
4. Mike Lonergan
5. Ray Nelson
6. Deborah Cole
7. Tom Dunston

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Tasks Accomplished

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  Fire escape repairs were advanced with the support poles being replaced and the first and second landings along with the first set of stairs were replaced. More damage than first thought was found, hence more work is in order to complete the project. Picture on right show work in progress.
• Moose's cargo carrier was brought up and partially installed in part on the Moose. The remaining parts will be brought up for the next work party.
  Webmaster note: When we were up for the Garfield Retreat, we looked at it, pretty nifty, should help take the load of off PackRat and TomCat.
• Remaining Lodge gravel back fill was completed. Final grading and barriers remains to be done.
• Pulling lines were placed in the conduits for the new electrical service to the tows. A pulling line still needs to be installed in the phone conduit.
• Garbage was taken to the dump.
• Even more wood was split.
• scrape metal was taken to the recycler (1900 lbs +/-).
• Painting was finished in the men's dorm
• Carpet layer was up for measurements and a review of the work to place the carpet.
• Recon work was done on the dam leaking problem and will be addressed at the next Work Party.

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Meany Engineering

We always talk about the "Meany Way" of doing things, some may think of it as "Rube Goldburg", but I rather call it "Engineering on the Fly". Here are two examples of how things can be reinvented to serve a purpose at Meany

Clothes dryer

I'm sure all of you have noticed that "big green box" that pumps out hot air to dry your clothes. Well during the inspection of the furnace, it was decided that it too needed to be replaced, well someone, think it was Mike Lonergan, suggested that we may be able to make use of a used Furnace carcass. Ray Nelson found a very understanding furnace company near his home, and they graciously gave us one. The first image below shows it at the furnace company and second image has it installed at Meany. All we need to do is to install the motor and "squirrel cage" and we have a new blower

High Tech Milling Machine

For everyone's information, there is a master wooden pulley for each of our tows. For example, the biggest, for Mach, stands about 4' in diameter and has a thickness of around 6 inches. Well after many years of successful service, they eventually begin to wear out. The problem, in replacing them, is you can't simply go down to the local hardware store and pick up a replacement. You need to build one. Mike Lonergan took it upon himself to do just that for Worm. So for everyone's edification, in the third image below, I present the one of a kind "Meany Milling Machine", now not tooo many oohs and aahs

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September Report

Weekend Workparty - Sept 11^th - 12^th

The first weekend workparty had real intimate group, some of the fossils (Ray Nelson and Doug Damm) were up sizing what was to be accomplished during the coming week, the Harkness-Marasco family, Andy Smith, Phil Christy and Jerry Thompson. Ray Hecox cooked some killer pork chops for dinner and we sampled the Mushroom Risotto that will be served Mushroom Weekend.

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Carpet

Andy and Jerry manage to get the carpeting out of the men's dorm and both stairwells to facilitate replacing it on the following Monday. Chuck and Christopher did the final vacuuming. You should have seen the amount of "dust and assorted stuff" the shop vac picked up. Deb Cole gave us her day off, Monday, to come and supervise the carpet installation. Webmaster note: the carpet is fantastic, we will probably require feet wiping before you go up the stairs

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Men's Dorm remodel

Chuck and Christopher sawzalled the old iron mattresses out of the wooden bed frames. Phil and James got started rebuilding some of the bunks while Juliana and Linda primed the frames and new bed platforms plywood Webmaster note: After seeing what Juliana looked like when we finished, I'm wondering what got most of the paint - her or the wood

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New Meanyite

During the morning, a vehicle came up the drive with someone we didn't know. He stopped and told Chuck that he had always heard about Meany and wanted to come and see if he could find it. (He is a volunteer for Washington trail association) - well he not only looked around, he stayed for lunch and pitched in and split wood !!!! He stated that we will see him in the winter. - new Meanyites are acquired by the strangest means

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Midweek Workparty - Sept 14^th - 16^th

The following individuals attended:

1. Doug Damm
2. John Rice
3. Bob Grass
4. Tom VanDevanter
5. Dan Solomonson
6. Don Finrow
7. Tommy Dunstan
8. Phil Christy
9. Mike Lonergan
10. Ray Nelson
11. Deborah Cole

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Remodeling

The carpet was installed in the Men's dorm, and stairwell from the third floor to the basement. The doors that no longer fit were shortened to fit and the old carpet was haulled to the dump. More of the men bunks were rebuilt.

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Dam Repair

The leak in to dam was addressed with placing Sodium Bentonite in the leaking area. The leak was reduced considerably but still needs more work. Additional Sodium Bentonite will be applied at the at the next opportunity when we can have sufficient time to flush the reservoir.

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Furnace

Furnace shroud and new flue pipe were installed. The furnace is now in service. The basement "dryer" fan was installed but not wired up. It will be wired to have multiple speed switch so that one can select how much heat you want in the basement.

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Moose cargo carrier

Last year Meany purchased another sno-cat, which we named "Moose". It was bought to help off-load TomCat. It was decided that we needed a cargo carrier to do that. It is almost finished. Last thing to install will be stairs to help loading and unloading

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Others

• Fire escape rebuild is done
• Wiring of tows continues
• Re-establishing phone line to tow hut continues
• Tow wheels have been reinstalled and minor adjustment is needed
• Propane was delivered and all tanks filled
• Issue with TomCat overheating being looked at

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Weekend Workparty - Sept 26^th - 27^th

Almost 20 people at dinner Sat. night. And there is still a ton of work to do. So this is what got done

• Installed the idler wheel on the Medium tow
• Pulled the replacement rope into place on the Small tow and began splicing
• Installed terminal strip on Big tow safety gate circuit
• Began lubricating all tows
• Finished filling the wood room
• Finished up painting on the men's dorm
• Built and installed beds in the men's dorm, anchoring them to walls
• Finished grading the ski hill to cover the trenches
• Cleaned the propane line to improve stove performance

We also sampled two possible entrees planned for our Italian themed dinner. Yes Emilio has been talking about it for awhile, now time to produce..... for Saturday dinner, did a Chicken Caccittore that was hard not to over indulge and for Sunday lunch, Minestrone

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October Report

Weekend: Oct 11^th - 12^th

What got accomplished

The Turtle tow rope replacement and splicing got finished and the drive guards replaced. And before I continue with the list, here are a series of pictures taken by the world reknown (well maybe not yet) Meany resident phtographer Amy Deyerle-Smith. In between mowing down South, she took pictures of the splicing of Turtle. Now was she biased in that her Dad (Greg Smith) was helping Jim Fahey - who am I to judge.

• The walls in the kitchen got WASHED. Who knew they were yellow?
• The bunks in the men's dorm got finished - almost: Safety rails and ladders need to be added
• The men's dorm painting finished - except for bunks
• Wiring for for Worm & Turtle power progressed
• Greasing of tow wheels was almost completed
• Furnace motor wiring was completed. We now have a fan in the basement again!
• Road drainage water bars were cleaned to prevent erosion
• Kirkland Park and lower Lane got mowed
• Psychopath got surveyed for protection requirements

MidWeek: Oct 13^th - 15^th

The following individuals were in attendance during a very cold and wet 3 days

1. Doug Damm
2. John Rice
3. Bob Grass
4. Tom VanDevanter
5. Dan Solomonson
6. Tom Dunstan
7. Mike Lonergan
8. Ray Nelson
9. Patti Polinsky
10. Dave Claar
11. Brian Johnson
12. Jay Johnson
13. Deborah Cole

Here's what we got done:

• The installation of the equipment in the Tow Hut is nearly complete
• Wiring to the Turtle Tow is nearly complete
• The Tow Hut was cleaned up for state inspection.
• The Cat House basement was cleaned up
• New electrical heater was installed in the operator shack - yes so Andy and Bob can keep their toes warm
• Gravel was delivered and spread on the 420 road near the junction with 54 road
• More work on sealing the leak in the reservoir was done, patch will hold till a more detail analyses in the summer

• The cooking range was cleaned
• The supply gasline and all interior gas pipes were blown out
• A gas leak was found and repaired in a gasket area of a range top burner.
• Failure of the left oven was forced and then corrected

• Basement back door was replaced and a new lock added
• Contuned work on luggage rack for the Moose
• New batteries for interior lodge emergency lights installed
• Exterior batts that were damage during excavation were replaced
• Sink strainers (6) associated with the dish washing sinks were replaced
• Generators were load run and the oil changed with synthetic oil.
• Trash behind the Tow Hut, limbs in the swamp and barbecue pit were burned out
• More painting was done in the men's dorm.
• The lights in the men's dorm were rewired to make them recessed.
• The bread rack was installed above the stove.

• Vents were placed near the furnace to get air circulating to the furnace and under the floor.
• Work continued on remodeling the women's restroom with work completed on the north wall.
• Approximately 2500 pounds of scrap metal were taken to the recycler
• Work continues to try and restore braking power to the Ox, work will continue next summer
• Cross country trail work continued.

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