 | Brushes With Greatness ...Paint-a-Thon 2001 |  |
| Brushes With Greatness ...Paint-a-Thon 2001 | |
A stalwart crew of Joan of Arcers braved the heat and the humidity to
participate in this year's wonderful effort known as the Paint-a-thon.
This is the 18th year of the Metro wide project, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. Co-sponsors are the Archdiocese, The Jewish Community Relations Council, and the St. Paul Council of Churches. Over 160 teams take part, from congregations, corporations, companies, and civic groups.
Throughout the year, applications are accepted by senior groups, and by the sponsoring organizations. Senior citizens and those with health problems that make it impossible to maintain a homes exterior are encouraged to apply. Usually, there are
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| Julie Madden(left), organizer |
Under the invaluable leadership of Hank Moss, painter of renown, and Julie Madden, general overseer, provider of treats, and “coordinator of bits and pieces”, our team took to the field. The preparation day - Saturday, July 28, dawned with an ominously overcast sky. As we assembled at the Church to car pool to our site, it seemed a little doubtful that we would be able to work without weather related interruptions. We started out, heading for the home of a most delightful lady, Verna White.
Residing in North Minneapolis, Verna, at
86 years young, still takes Communion to several parish members who can
no longer get to Mass! The hardest thing about this process for her was
the idea that she would be the recipient of the generosity of others,
instead of her more customary role of giver!
The team members ranged in skill and in age - from 10 year old Lewis to some of us who belong to AARP. The Spirit of St. Joan's was abundantly present - with cooperation and good -natured kidding filling the air. As we prepped windows and doors, scraped storms, shared cold drinks and food, scrambled (or crept) up ladders, we shared the sense of community that is so highly valued here.
At some
point, we looked around and noted that the picket fence looked a little
on the sad side. Although that wasn't in the original plan, it was
decided that, if Verna approved, we would also do the fence. The joyful
tears of disbelief when her permission was sought provided more than
enough motivation. The scraping began at once, with a few nails to
stabilize loose pieces. The rain held off all day, and the preparations
were completed. A few storm windows were dropped at the local hardware
store for glass replacement, and we were ready for the final work the
next week.
August 4th was a completely different weather scenario. HOT and HUMID!! The week had produced some tragic events as a result of dangerous heat indexes, so the reminder to keep drinking was heard often. There were some folks who had been part of the prep day, and some new faces joined in. The painting commenced early, with Hank going to the home with some eager beavers intent upon avoiding the noonday sun. Those of us for whom 8 a.m. is plenty early for any civilized activity, joined them later.
The progress was measurable and very rewarding.
The few trips to the hardware store to supplement supplies and to
retrieve the repaired windows sped the process along. The garage door
was painted, the metal awnings removed, washed, and then replaced when
their respective windows were finished. The picket fence became white
again, and more stable than it had been. We tried to avoid destroying
plant life, but did cut back the peony bushes, which had finished
blooming, so we could get to the fence.
Sandwiches and treats were consumed during a break, but the rising thermometer told us that getting finished before the heat intensified was the best plan. As windows were hung, and glistening surfaces emerged, there was a grand feeling of time well spent, with people who provide great companionship for us, wherever we are on our journey!
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| Verna and the community of St. Joan of Arc would like to thank all of the preppers and painters for their help. |
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