"Cross over the bridge" (click on the arrow)

🎶  🎶  Cross over the bridge, cross over the bridge
Change your reckless way o'livin', cross over the bridge
Leave your fickle past behind you and true romance will find you
Brother, sister, cross over the bridge  🎶 🎶 

Thanks to Patti Page for the lyrics and 

Larry Arp for the new bridge in the SOS garden.

Lawn Care Summer 2021

A big thanks to the Lawn Mowing Team that took such good care of our lawn this summer.  They showed up on a weekly basis, come rain or shine. 

Lawn Mowing Team Members:  Steve Nelson, Paul Brynteson, Hans Jordan, Rich Evertz, The Murphy & Stephen Family, David Beumée, Robert Shaw, Larry Arp and David Burrous.

Why don't you join us next summer?

The Murphy & Stephen Family

Larry Arp
(the only known photo of him resting)

Rich Evertz

Stephen Nelson

Paul Brynteson

Hans Jordan
(last known photo taken of him)

David Burrous

Leopold Benches Project

With the financial support of several sponsors and the skill of our weekend warrior woodworkers, we now have 11 Leopold benches to enjoy in the triangular gravel area accessed both by the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall on the north side of the building and in front of the building on the Ceres Drive side.

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Don Engelstad, sponsor of 2 benches (with Trudy Wood)
Steve Nelson, craftsman (with Leah Nelson)

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Alisa and David Burrous, sponsors
David Burrous, craftsman

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Lorraine Wilson, sponsor
David Burrous, craftsman

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Cindy Beeler, sponsor
David Burrous, craftsman

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Dotty Stauber Crafts, sponsor (with Bill Crafts)
David Burrous, craftsman

Special note:  Visit the Building Committee's Week 69 video clip to hear a reflection by long-time member, friend, and supporter of the Fellowship, Dotty Stauber Crafts, entitled "I am not there".

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Joan Mulcahy and Hans Jordan, sponsors
David Burrous, craftsman

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 Constance Holden and T.K. Smith, sponsors of 1 bench

Mary Stackpole, sponsor of 1 bench

Rich Evertz, craftsman

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Mary Headley, sponsor of 2 benches

Brad Shannon, craftsman

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And soon to be installed on each bench ...

plaques honoring these members and friends

for their contributions to the

BVUUF Leopold Bench Project 2021.

Many thanks to you all.

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If you would like to build your own Leopold bench, click here for the plans.

Build it ...

Did you know that we haver a brand new, super duper playground at the Fellowship? 

To view a short video of the playground construction, 

click below:

Build it and they will come to play!

Can You Build or Donate Materials for a Leopold Bench?

The Leopold Bench ...

Who was Aldo Leopold?   

"Considered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology and the United States’ wilderness system, Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast. Among his best known ideas is the “land ethic,” which calls for an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature." For more information, click on this link:  The Aldo Leopold Foundation

Aldo Leopold created the Leopold Bench as "a revolutionary act of a conservationist".  If you sit frontward, you are comforted and supported by the back part of the bench.  

If you turn it around, you can put your legs in the space between the back support and the seat, rest your arms on the back, and with binoculars in hand, enjoy nature.

A Request:

The Grounds Teams has members who are building Leopold Benches with funds that generous members donated to purchase the materials.  These benches will be placed in our outdoor sanctuary -- the outdoor gravel-covered space between the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall.  

Imagine sitting out there with a beverage and enjoying this meditative space with fellow members after an invigorating sermon and music by our choir and music director. 

Where can I obtain the plans?  

Four Oaks Crafts offers a tutorial and free plans for a Leopold bench.  Click on the link and download a pdf copy of the plans.  The cost of lumber, stain, sealant, and hardware is about $100.  Your skills, time, and  generosity are priceless.

If you would like to take part in this project, won't you please let David Burrous know of your interest?  d303burrous@gmail.com

Thanks.

When it rains...It pours!

Members of the Grounds Teams checked the Fellowship Building and there were no leaks inside.

Our detention ponds did their job and prevented our neighbors' properties from being flooded.

 

Under the old apple tree.

 Members of the Grounds Team got out and pruned the old apple tree on the west side of the property next to the raised gardens.  Yes, the apples are delicious when the frost doesn't get them.

Other members took the branches to Western Disposal for composting.  Particularly strong members moved the picnic table into the shade.  

All set now for a picnic!

Off to industrial composting.