Garage/Apartment

From the very begining I was intending to add a garage with an upstairs apartment to the back of the building. Eventually. When I discovered the back wall was rotten beyond patching and the brick facade crumbling, 'eventually' got bumped up to 'NOW'.

Here Steve and Joel are setting the foundation wall. We elected to use these foam concrete forms.

Steve setting one of the garage roof joists that will be the apartment floor.

Joel setting the joist next to the old wall.


The view above the bathroom. The whole ceiling will be removed and the room remodeled. The volume shown, along with some where the 'roof' is, will become part of the apartment. Lots of work.

Let There Be Light!

This Fall I had Matt Asphal install some floods and electric sockets so the flag can be illuminated and Christmas lights lit.

October 4, 2009

The Rose Pedaler is a gift store and B&B in Rose Creek, about 20 miles west of LeRoy. We share the need to promote the area to bring outside money in and both realize it.

The day was drizzly to rainy. And cold. I gathered the crushed rock together to make a little mound so my shoes could stay dry. I'm told this is the first in 9 years that the weather has not been beautiful. I hadn't realized it, but aparently her advertising had mentioned 'glass blower demonstrating' or some such but I didn't bring my torch because of the weather.

Anyway, the Austin TV and newspaper covered the event and my picture was included.

This evening, Tuesday, September 15, The LeRoy Pleasure Club came to visit. They first had a chance to browse and see what the store has to offer.


Later there was a brief presentation of some of the flameworked glass sculptures including a dog, snail, turtle, marble and a blown ornament.

On July 11 we had the Grand Opening.

A lot of people came to see what we had and to shop. About 50 people registered in the Guest Book.

In the evening the Irish Minstrels provided entertainment.

They had a rapt audience.

A fun day and a successful Opening.

Off and running

The Center opened June 4th as scheduled, but I've been so busy with details and things that wouldn't show well, that I've had plenty of excuses not to update this. Sorry!

Here is the 'finished' exterior. Still needs signage, but that will come.

YES! We Are Open! Come on in, please!

"The Nursery" - Dolls by Elsie Reed, so realistic I keep expecting to hear them crying.

Weaving by Cathy Roetzler. Some of the handbags on the wall she not only wove the fabric, but had the guts to cut it up!

Some of the glass sculptures by Dave Perkins and wood turnings by Lyle Solem.

Photos by Mary Trella, wood toys by Joe Kempke and whimsey from Cindy Bandel.

Wearable art by Jean Munson.

The glass studio portion of the Center.

Water colors by Dona Schuman.

I love sunsets and this was a good excuse.

The mess is gradually being replaced by progress. Here is how the front looks today:

I've been talking with people, inviting them to display and sell through the Center. I hope you are one of them! I had originally thought I'd better plan on preparing a small space at the front of the store so things don't seem too spread out. Now I'm wondering if there is enough space. This is certainly an exciting adventure!

Things still look OK to open the doors June 4 with a Grand Opening July 11. Tight, but OK. When stock starts coming in May 21st, it will probably be chaotic, but it should still workout.

Steve O'Byrne and Joel of Southern Construction, the re-modelers, found the access to the attic. It is kind of neat up there. The ceiling rafters change from 4' and the rear to 8' at the front. There is plenty of evidence of the fire that closed down the restaurant that was in the building in the 30's. I need to research the building history more. With over a century of life, it has seen a lot of changes.