Late November – getting there

We are steadily progressing towards completion of the physical improvements to the Chalet.

We have almost completed this open woodshed to keep our winter fires blazing.  Wood to come?

We have laid down a heavy plastic vapour barrier on the basement floor with about 4 inches of gravel.

We have lais down almost 3/4 of a kilometer of telephone cable  to be used for security purposes. Crew from left Malcolm Johnson, Mariner Palmer,  Marc Sam, George Panciuk and Frans Lecluse

Bringing the wire right up to Chalet Pruche

Phil Davies leans against the (now up to code) railing he has steadily worked on the last few weeks

Their was great danger a person could all to easily fall over the railing before and spill their drink and take out a loiterer down below.  Ask about our patented one inch spring loaded fastening dowels. Click!

Our well needed some warming up

Two layers of R10 blue foam to frighten off ‘Jack Frost’

We even put a cover on the well frame so that little children won’t have far to go.  Phil Davies shows off his handiwork

Cable installation

Cable came to the chalet – it may be the key to keeping the Chalet open year round with the heat sensor
as well as invasion security.  Maybe even a telephone?

Left to right:  Malcolm Johnson, Mariner Palmer, Marc Samoisette, George Panciuk, and Frans Lecluse

 

More images on the arboretum website under the November album.

 

First booking

The Chalet held its first big, commercial booking to follow the renovations …

Seating for 26

28 September 2009

Ahoy Everyone,

We have about sixty hours of work to do to finish up the interior phase of the project.  A special thanks to Phil Davies who helped out on Tuesday before flying off tonight for Ireland  (he is probably eating chicken over St Pierre et Miquelon as I write this note).

This week the schedule is as follows.

• Saturday   Sept 26th  starting around 9AM
• Monday     Sept 28th  starting around 9AM
• Weds.        Sept 30th  starting around 9AM

“All hands on deck!’

Capt’n Palmer (Ret’d)   (on behalf of the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

17 September – coming along well

Hello everyone!

A special thanks to Rosita Pollock, Jason Hunter, Phil Davies, Pamela Plumb and John Watson and his crew for their great help this past week.  It is very much appreciated.

We will be working this Saturday morning (Sept 19th) starting around 9am.  Give me a call at 514-620-4141 if you can join us.  There will be no firm schedule for next week but if there is a day you are available just give me a call and we can make arrangements.

Mariner   (For the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

Rosita Pollock scrapes the old candle off the floor

Rostia Pollock painting the stairs this past Sunday. How does a working Mom find the time?

After a thorough swabbing, Capt'n Palmer paints the deck.

We have a trail so we are not painted in the corner

The furniture goes in Thursday (today)

It looks like it is done but there is lots of detail work to be done. So please don't abandon us yet.

The loft looking east

Before the furniture

September 12 update

Hello Everyone,

Great headway this past week.  Bookcases are varathaned and put up.  The north wall shelf has been cleaned and varathaned.  The loft cupboard has been cleaned and ready for varathane .  The floors have been scrubbed down twice and are ready for TSP and then painting.

A special thanks for Rosita Pollock, Pamela Plumb  and Phil Davies for their efforts this past week.  Your help was much appreciated.

We have lots of detail work to do before we are finished.

The Schedule for the next week is

• Saturday     Sept 12th   starting around 8:30 am
• Monday      Sept  14th  starting around 8:30 am
• Tuesday    Sept   15th  starting around 9:00 am
• Thursday     Sept   17     starting around 9:00 am
• Saturday      Sept 19th   starting around 8:30 am

Thanks everybody….  your gallant efforts are really starting to come together.

Mariner    (on behalf of the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

September 4

Hello Everyone,

Great progress this week.  The interior logs have all been finished with a coat of Varathane.  A great job done thanks to Rosita Pollock  and Jason Hunter  who worked diligently on Saturday when we got 85% of the work completed.

A special thanks to Rosita Pollock for bring new recruit, Jessica Kalmar on board.  Jessica started today with log and bookcase cleaning with our special formula.  Another trooper!

A great deal of effort has gone into this project and we are now  seeing the fruits of our labours.   There are still a number of jobs left and we need as much help a ever.

This coming week we will be working the following schedule

• Wednesday    Sept 9th       starting at 8:30
• Thursday        Sept 10th    starting at 8:30
• Saturday         Sept 12th   starting at 8:30

Give me a call at 514-620-4141 if you think you can give us a hand.  Leave a message if I am away from the phone. Or just drop by on any of the above dates.

We are also looking for end tables, a chesterfield and a buffet cabinet if anyone knows where we might be able to get any of these things or knows an inexpensive source.  Maybe even a large board table or dining room table and chairs.

We are also looking for funds to electrify the Chalet and provide heat for a continuous available water supply all winter long.  If you have any questions please ask!

We know how busy people are just keeping up with your own day to day jobs at home.  Don’t feel badly if you haven’t had the time to contribute.  Just drop by and see the work in progress.  We appreciate the interest.

Thanks again everybody

Mariner (For the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

(Click on the pictures below to see larger originals)

Our youngest volunteer, Emeleen Pollock, volunteers to tackle a big mess

We had a cosy fire going on Saturday to offset the wet and chilly day

Jason Hunter shows us how how a pro applies the varathane

New recruit , Jessica Kalmar, scrubs the washroom ceiling

The logs varnished

Not as light as we might have liked, but looks good and is easy to clean in the future.

It’s coming together

Work on the inside is really progressing.  A special thanks to Rosita Pollock, Jenny Anderson and Phil Davis for their efforts this past week.

Originally we had a Sept 15th date to hopefully complete the the exterior and interior.  It looks like we will be very close to that. Thanks to all the volunteer time that has pushed us along.

If anyone has any ideas on getting help to purchase a new furnace and a quiet generator for the Chalet please get in touch with me at this email address or my home telephone  514-620-4141.  These items are required to make full use of the building in the future.

We will be working the following days in the next week

• Saturday            Aug 29th starting around 8:30 am
• Wednesday      Sept 2nd  starting around 8:30 am
• Thursday          Sept 3rd   starting around  9:00am

Thanks to all for their encouragement and support

Mariner   (For the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

Early morning at the Chalet

August 20 news

Hi Everyone!

Well another week is past and another step forward in the Chalet Restoration has been completed.  Special thanks to Rosita Pollock for the painting this week.  Wow!  The interior is really looking nice.

Soon we will put a finish on the logs and tackle the floor.  Anyone interested in sanding the floors?  Well  eeeerrr!    I have a bad back!

This coming weeks schedule is:

• This   Saturday      Aug. 22  starting at 8:30 am
• Wednesday            Aug. 26  starting at 8:30 am
• Thursday                Aug 27  starting at 9.00 am

Anyone available those dates can just show up or call me at 514-620-4141.   We are nearing the end of the painting and
repairs to the Chalet and are getting ready to tackle the Heating and Electical issues.  Ideas and help welcomed.

Great efforts on everyone’s part.

Thanks – Mariner  ( for the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

Early morn at Chalet Pruche - Doesn't the well look good leveled and painted. Thank you Phil Davies !

12 August update

Hi Everyone

A great week of progress.  Thanks to Jenny Anderson, Phil Davies, George Panciuk, and Rosita Pollock for their time and effort.  A lot has been accomplished and the finishing up of the interior is within our sights now.

The schedule for next week is:

• 8:30 am  Monday August 17th
• 8:30 am  Weds     Aug      19th
• 8:30 am   Thurs     Aug      20th
• 8:30am    Sat         Aug      22nd

We have 6  barrels  (200 litres – 50 gallons) for sale for $35 each.  Great rain barrels or dock and raft floats at a bargain price.   They once held the 3000 lbs of water over the kitchen and toilets.  Picture below …

Thanks to all our volunteers – Mariner Palmer  (for the Chalet Pruche Restoration Committee)

Water barrels for sale