THIS IS THE YEAR! We must bring up our image, that we are truly intent on saving the Depot, and that we have a clear vision for its glorious future. We bring this picture of ourselves to the Railroad itself, to the government agencies with whom we are dealing and to business and professional people to gain their confidence to join our cause. All of this of course takes continued and steadfast effort from all of us members and friends of the depot. Let's all join together to pursue the cause with our funds and with many, many work parties.
First, a note of gratitude to Mr. Obie O'brien, Mr. Kelso Depot personified. We must be ever so thankful to have him on site, as he is pursuing the cause all his wakening hours, seven days a week. And that without automobile or telephone. He is our presence at the Depot greeting all visitors, telling the story and promoting funds. He feels the burden of all the work that has to be done, and is overwhelmed with it. There needs to be a work party every week-end (even though it's as small as one person) to help carry the burden and to maintain Obie's good-will and perspective.
Now, to consider the work parties for the five week-ends of MAY. Some of these are dated to a particular week-end, but others are not. I'm looking for a lead man (honcho) for many of the projects.
Project #1 - Continuation of improvements on the water irrigation system. Altho our past efforts were based on the original design, that design was faulty, leading to poor distribution. Brent Washburne and Bob Greenawalt are in charge of improving the system. Whatever fittings they want they shall have. Scheduling and man-power resources are at their bidding. This is not real high priority, since we have an operating system.
Project #2 - Hauling away of trash to the dump. Right now there is a huge accumulation of palm fronds and branches that impair the pursuit of other projects. We must have the use of a pick-up truck for almost all work parties, since much trash results. There should be pick-up trucks among our members. Maybe if you can't be at the work parties, you can offer the use of your truck. Please correspond with Henry on this subject.
Project #3 - Leveling of all lawns: May 14-15 - Bob Ausmus of Cima is donating several loads of well decayed cow manure which will be dumped on the north side of NE lawn and then carted by wheelbarrows to low spots. We need several wheelbarrows and as many as 10 people for the task. Also, the SW lawn needs a lot more work, as we have to fill big holes the removed tree stumps left.
Project #4 - The felling of seven nearly dead trees, the removal of the log sections and slash. We will have the Dave ______family clan to thank for the bulk of this work. But they, being elderly people and not so frisky anymore will need the support of 4 men to load the wood chunks and slash onto trucks. They provide the trucks.
Project #5 - The painting of the exterior of the Depot building. May 7-8 and May 14-15 Danny Wangler (702/878-2433) of Las Vegas and crew, professional painters are generously donating their time and equipment, only looking to the Depot Fund for cost of materials. They will paint the building in three phases, the phases being time independent. Phase 1 will be the upper story and both ends of the building. (this includes the huge UPRR emblem and the name "KELSO". Phase 2 will be the lower story plus building ends. Phase 3 will be the rear of the building. The rear of the building is of lower priority. Altho they will be doing most of the work, we wish to support them with a crew of 4.