More Painting

Wrapping it up! Ron finishes up the painting while Ken provides entertainment.

Reorganizing for Smarter Storage

The far corners of the restrooms at the Tech Center had become pseudo storage closets and were quickly filling up. In prep for future visitors, Ron and Ken took time Friday to find new storage areas for infrequently used supplies.

Renee unveils Friday's lunch smorgasboard! You want it? You got it!

More Wall Work & Getting Tidy

Friday morning: Ron continues work on the wall.

Welcome Donna!

NCSG and CSIA's new Program Coordinator, Donna Lee Kasmer, gets to see the trade from an entirely different perspective this week. She's taking it in stride!

Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon...

Debbie enjoys an afternoon break with the Joys.

It's all in the details..

Ken Hoelscher measures twice and cuts once as he works on the entryway to the conference room.

Lunch is on the way!

Connie and Paul Anderson, roving retired chimney sweeps, are RV'ing their way from Cave City, Kentucky this morning just in time for a late lunch. The Andersons are feeding the crowd today, on a slight delay... Their campsite power went out last night! Oops!

Good news: Lasagna will be here today, made the Anderson way! :)

Wondering about the later hours?

While the others sleep, Eric and Jordan watch movies! (As Renee keeps our photojournal.)

Remember that hallway photo from earlier? That "picture frame" is coming down! A museum-quality photo hanging system is in the plan for its replacement.

Back in the wonderfully air-conditioned Tech Center... Ron and Fred begin work on changing out a light fixture in the work room.

Concrete delivered...

From the first cuts to the final smoothing, volunteers have been keeping this project moving. Blume the Merry Sweep of Greenville, SC volunteered this saw to get the project started. (Thanks, Blume! We're positive that Jim was thankful for the lighter load too!)

The mixer arrived and the morning flew by. All hands on deck to keep this project moving! The hot Indiana sun kept the concrete drying almost as fast as it was being poured. Moving into the early afternoon, the finishing touches were put on this project and the job was done... Thanks to each of these guys for their work on this project and all Sweeps Week projects. Their backbreaking labor is highly appreciated!

Thomas Trims Trees

Earlier this week, Thomas took some time to trim the trees around the Tech Center. Loads of lingering limbs awaited Jordan and Eric.

Them Bones... Them Bones...

Them Rib Bones...
In what has become a Sweeps Week tradition, Wednesday morning welcomed a HUGE batch of ribs from Mr. Marion Schroll in Riley, KS.

Here, Renee is getting them sorted out and ready for Wednesday's lunch. We wasted NO time consuming those ribs!

Thanks, Marion!

The View from Melissa's Office

Exhibit 1 - This was the view from Melissa's office door on Wednesday morning.

I caught the biggest fish!!!

Okay, so they likely weren't talking about Caryl Ann's latest fishing trip, but... they were definitely engaged in some serious conversation!

Jordan Williams (All-Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance of Charlotte, MI) and his friend Eric help keep things moving out by the woodshed.

Not Quite Dancing on the Rooftops...

More like reshingling them. Our thanks to Tim Smith of Chimney Sweeps of America - Lebanon, IN for tackling this one.

Hey... Hoe....

The backhoe arrives just in time for the next phase of the dumpster project.

Ron Brigman

Someone looks happy to be here! :)

Goodbye, Monday!

Kristin's getaway vehicle. Farewell, Monday! We'll see you around. :)

Concrete, Concrete EVERYWHERE

During...

And after...

A Much Deserved Break

Ken, Fred and Ron take a breather as Connie doles out the refreshments. Whew!

Makin' progress on the concrete slab prep. It's amazing how much work a simple square slab can be... Especially with temps in the mid-90s!

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme...

Ken Hoelscher (Abbey Road Chimney Sweep - Brookville, OH)'s daughter, Kristen, helps out in the kitchen. Check out that SAGE!

Lunch is served!

Check out this spread courtesy of Renee Brigman and Company. Yummo!

Heeeeeere's Connie!

Mrs. Connie Baynes is joining us this week for a bit of sweep comeraderie.

Bustin' Up

Fred and Jim start busting up the concrete in front of the dumpster surround. After years of loading and unloading the dumpsters, the trash truck has finally taken its toll on the pavement. Time to bust it up for a replacement concrete pad.

Let the On-Site Planning Begin!

On-site planning progressed on Monday morning as Sweeps Week 2009 kicks off!

Counterclockwise around table (from left):
- Jim Baynes (Gray shirt)- Expert Chimney & Fireplace - Plainfield, IN
- Thomas Rhines of All-Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance- Charlotte, MI
- Mark McSweeney, NCSG and CSIA Executive Director
- Sara Sichting, CSIA Certification Coordinator
- Fred Joy - Top Hat Chimney Sweep, Inc. - Hoyt, KS
- Debbie Cornelius, NCSG and CSIA Outreach Coordinator
- Ron Brigman - SweepStuff, Inc. Dba Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps/Bless Your Hearth Chimney Service - Laurens, SC