Ponditat For Humanity

Friday, July 13, 2007

Danville, Illinois

Well the guys were right to cover the pond up last night with the liner. We got rain in the earlier morning hours. First order of business was to pump out the water that was in the pond and roll back the liner so that we could continue to whip the pond into shape. With the liner out of the way work resumes on the pond. Larry Moore takes over the controls on the track hoe and shows us his skills. While crew member George looks on.

Local hobbyist Stan Hardy shows up for work with gloves on, while Daniel Stotlzfus and sons arrive from Pennsylvania.

Ben Pounds, Bloomington, Illinois hobbyist works on shaping the shelves on the Ponditat pond.

Attendees are interviewed by the "Gazette Weekly News"

Bill Pickett, local radio station stops in for a visit.

It was fun watching the guys, the more pretty women showed up on the job site, the harder the guys worked.

Visitors on Friday

Marsters Sign Co. Jessie comes to visit her husband Jim who volunteered to help out.

Neighbors

Cathy Sackett's parents, Mick and Carol along with brother Jerry stop in to see the progress.

Gary has a talk with the track hoe operator Larry, asking him if he thought the pond was large enough yet?

With the ground pretty much level the guys created a French drain for the overflow of the skimmers.

The area is markedBrandon is ready to dump the dirtand show off his muscles. Mike White of White Water Filters, Batavia, Illinois and A.J. with Creative Scapes, Perryville, Kentucky are there to help out just in case he misses the board ramp.

First rocks in the hole Ben brings in another load All gone

The guys split up in several groups to get the job done, the waterfall area is coming along nicely using the donated "Marlin" hydro vortex by Russell Watergardens and the "Dolphin" hydro vortex donated by Springwater Water Features.

IPPCA President Rocke' Huntington works on the "Tunnel for the Train" along with Brandon and Stan.

Mustard's Last Stand pulls up to serve "Chicago" hot dogs to the attendees.

Mustard's Last Stand pulls up to serve "Chicago" hotdogs to the attendees. Set up and ready to serve.

Brandon takes a break for a "Chicago" hotdog. Thanks for putting the shirt on Brandon.

Dave inspects the water wheel donated by Black Mountain Timberworks.

The pond was ready for underlayment by noon.

Liner shortly thereafter

And rocking the pond minutes later.

One rock Ten rock Twenty rock MORE!!

Rocks being hauled in by the wheelbarrow full. Wow, that one looks heavy.

Dave is asking Mike for a helping hand to move this monster of a rock.

Even the smallest of contractors get involved. John hauls one by himself.

Michael gives John a helping hand or two to get this rock to the pond.

Gary shows us his skills in attaching the EasyPro Pond Products face plate to the skimmer.

It's Gary's good friend Paul Mancheski of Forestville, Wisconsin, shows up to surprise Gary and Cathy.

Paul's wife Justine and children come along for the surprise.

With hugs and greeting done it is back to work for all. It doesn't take Paul long to throw off the traveling clothes and throw on the pond building shirt.