It was quite a busy week at the barn this week.  Last Sunday it appeared that we'd not be ready, but the weather and time work for the barn.  The album for the 15-16, May show the preparation.  I have included a couple of pix from the last couple of days here.  Make sure you check out the album.....

From left to right. The barn today- Dad secures the Jin Pole - Dad cuts the mortise into a gable end rafter.

Above Left to Right - Dad and Kirk steady a rafter for raising to the loft. - Tim takes the high-road and secures the hoisting pulley. - The east end wall plate is prepared to receive the gable end rafter #1.

Rafter Shaping

Over the last couple of weeks Tim, Dad and Kirk have been shaping the rafter pairs that will be raised next weekend.  There only 3 sets of rafter pairs to be completed.  Each set has to be made to match together perfectly.  Hope you enjoy the first set of photos for the year.

Tim uses a Mallet and Chisel to shape the Bird's Mouth on one of the Rafters.

Tim uses the monster saw to make the first cut on one of the rafters.

Pretty much the project slowed and came to a halt as the weather worsened last weekend.  Last Saturday at 18F Tim, Dad and I, stacked all the wood in preparation of snow.  The siding was placed on the wagon and moved near the south side of the barn so we can use it if the weather permits. 

All the slab wood for the lofts was picked up from Rudy Stempel's saw mill and that was offloaded and stacked for winter.

The sheep were moved closer to the barn and given shelter from the elements.

Today, Dad finished the siding on the Pump-House.  We can finish that up in the spring when we need running water again.

The best thing that happened is two dancing elves showed up to tidy up with us.  They will be keeping watch over the barn during the winter months.  Watch this video to see the dancing elves.  If you look closely at the faces and you've worked at the barn, you might recognize the elves. Click Here to See the Elves

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All ---- If work occurs I will update the site.

Ken

 

We got started on the roof rafters today, yes the roof rafters.  Below is a picture of Dad laying out the Birds-Mouth joint for the base of the rafters. He is also seen below taking a short rest to admire his work.  Brandt Bolding the German Barn Documentation Specialist photographing wood again.....You'll have to come to the raising party n the spring time to hear the rest of that story.....:-)

Pat (my wife) came by to bring a lunch and we put her to work making tenons for the upper wall posts. Oh and yes, she helped to install one of the highest ones on the barn.  You can tell it is the highest by the look in her eyes as she stated to climb the ladder.  The beam she made fit right in with only minor persuasion.

Took a few shots from the lofts today. Quite a nice view from up here don't you think?

We added some wind-braces to  the south side of the barn today and started putting on the wall studding that is required to keep the siding secure for a long time.  There are a ton more wind-braces to make and install, so if you are feeling bored with fall/winter, stop on buy and we'd be glad to show you how.

And finally a short-video from the loft.
Loft Video

It was a bit warmer at the barn today and we got some more done.  We welcomed a new member to the work crew today. Mike Zegarelli took up chisel and mallet and started right in.  Mike is the father Tony Zegarelli who is the young man who has been dating our daughter since early this year.  Tony has serving our country as a member of the US Army.  He has recently returned from a tour in Iraq.  Thanks, Mike for coming down to help, we look forward to seeing you again. Thanks Tony for serving our country.
 
Kirk (left) holds the upper wall-post so Mike can shape it for placement.  Mike returned the favor while I took a few swings of the mallet.  Yup, it was a work to stay warm kind of day!

Brandt was up from the southern tier and shot some more videos and photos.  He came up with me to the Stempel Sawmill to pick-up a load of slab wood for the loft floor.  Sandra, loaded us up with precision.  The story around the mill from what I've been told is she is the best driver up there.  I have to mention that the Stempel Sawmill did us another favor and cut this slab wood special for this loft floor.  Thanks again to the Stempel Family Sawmill.

To close out the day only three wall-post remain to be installed on the west side of the barn and believe it or not the roof rafters are being moved into the barn for working up. Some pretty complicated joints have to be made or these rafters.  On the bright side Dad and me simplified the methods by which the rafters will be hoisted.  Stay tuned here to see how we do it.

Oh, almost forgot to mention there is a MONSTUROUS surprise coming for the new barn, something that is old will be new again.  Watch here for the unveiling, SOON.

We got a it more done today and it was darn cold as we did it.  Before even going today, I had to go to TSC and get some new Carharts to keep warm in.  Today we worked on the East loft.  We got all of the boards on except the ones that need to be notched around all of the beams.  The sun had gone behind the hill and it got COLD!  Certainly not like the days when we worked in shorts and Tee-Shirts.

The Times Union did a nice story on the barn on Thanksgiving Day. Article From the Times Union 11/22/2007

On another note, Kirk has recovered from his eye-surgery and was back in action at the farm. Kirk, glad you made a nice recovery.

I have put the photos from today as a new album under today's date.

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Ken

These photos were taken by the Times Union Photographer for the story.

 

Well, folks it's been a couple of weeks since I had the chance to write to you all.  We had a bit of a slow down due to Tim being sick and Kirk having to lay low far a week.  They are both recovered and back in action.  Before the slow down the loft boards on the west side got placed.  The second level is now ready to aid in the assembly of the roof rafters.

Those rafters where harvested from the farm by the Stempel's and transported to the mill.  I guess it should be mentioned that the rood rafters where planted by Dad when he was a very young boy.  I remember when I was young and loving the straight lines and even spacing of this forest.  I recall Dad telling that they uses the steel wheels of the Farmall Regular as a guide.  Now ever time we look up into the barn ceiling we'll know exactly where the wood came from and who planted the trees so long Ago....Thanks Dad.

  Greg Stempel takes any load of wood and the rafters up to the mill.  If you look at the album you will see pictures of the finished product.  Brian the sawyer worked is magic and produced the tapered rafters for the barn. 

As you can see in the background of this photo, the wall posts are being placed.  Dad has worked along and more wood gets added each day...Let's hope the weather holds up.

This weeks photos are in the album for the week. Take a look and see how much progress has been made. 

This week photo award goes to Kirk for this classic work pose.  Kirk, thanks for the laugh.

The floor joists are going in. Wall posts are being placed.  There is actually more wood in the air than laying on the ground for a change. Don't forget to stop and have a look.....Be careful we might hand you a mallet and chisel and put you to work again.....

Ken

 

You know I was thinking last night that there have been some people who've contributed an awful lot to this project even though you don't see them out there in the photos everyday.  You know every big project has a supporting cast that plays a major role in the overall success of the endeavor whether it's a barn, a movie or huge office building many are behind the scenes but they still deserve credit for the success.  You have to wonder how many more meals mom Rau has served since this project started....My wife Pat has seen some things get delayed at home while I build a barn with my father and son.  All the ladies contributed to the first  barn raising weekend food supply....There are a myriad of ways the behind the scenes players have either done or said something that has made a difference in this project.  I just want to let you all know that it is recognized and graciously accepted and not often enough mentioned.

Thanks, Mom, Pat, Kristin, Sarah, Stacie, Jim, Ernie, Mary Jane, Meredith, Lyman (for the Land Rover), Jason, Ping, Sherry G., and all the rest .......

Now there is someone else who has gone far too long without being recognized for his contribution to this project.  You've all seen him moving about quietly, climbing ladders, feeding his dogs, protecting his equipment from flying wood and the list goes on.....He has been driving 1.5 hours per day each way from Dutchess county to document this project for my father and his family.  He has shot more than 12 hours of video and taken hundreds of still photos in this process.  Brandt Bolding deserves a very special thanks for his efforts.  Yes, we'll have the barn to look at when it is done, but we'll also be able to sit inside on a cold winters day and share in the joy of its creation as documented by Brandt.  I have seen some of his work already and I can't wait to see the rest.  In case you missed him, there are a couple of pictures of Brandt...If you look at the photos....of the barn you'll spot him....So when you see him the next time thank him for his dedication and commitment to Pleasant View Farm and Everett and Peg Rau.....Thanks Brandt....Oh I almost forgot he often times comes to the farm with two helpers Peepers and Chester....

Thanks again Brandt.......See you soon and you will get the Cuban I promised....Really.

Ken

 

After the excitement of News 9 being there on Sunday it was business as usual....Everett, Tim and Kirk and Brandt.....were onsite on a chilly morning at Pleasant View Farm.  I trust most of you have seen the news and the footage but I can't resist one more chance to send it out.....Since Brandt and some of you are not from this area you'd not have seen the local news....anyhow.

Capital News 9 Story from Pleasant View Farm
Click the link above to see the story.  You may be asked to install a Microsoft Active X control....If asked say yes....ELSE you won't see the story. I do not know how long this link will be active so take another look while you can.

On with Today's progress.  The last bent was raised....Number 6 and the northwest wall plate was attached.  That leaves only one more beam to raise.  Most of the rest of lumber is not so large that it takes armies of people to handle....Having said that....there are a number of roof rafters to raise.....Don't miss the fun and join us.  See photos of today in the album for today....

Every day here there are numerous events that deserve special attention and I have to wrote all night to cover just 10% of them.  Today we placed the 2007 $1 Dollar coin in the beam pocket on the corner where the ground-breaking was held just two-months ago.  This specially marks the year that the barn was built.  Both Dad and Tim, held the coin of the mortise and then it photographed in its permanent home.
 

Check-Out the Album for Today!

Thanks for reading, thanks for helping, thanks for believing.

Ken

 

Sunday 28-October-2007
After the rain out yesterday, today started off crisp, cool and clear.  I managed to get there first today around 7:30 AM and took some nice early morning photos.  A couple are shown below, the rest are in the photo album under today's date. The moon was still up and setting in the western sky....A beautiful day was at hand for raising the largest bent in the barn.

After a bit the work began. Family friend Art Frey was on the scene first and well we had to get over the house and get Dad moving a bit this morning.....He soon followed and the lifting poles were assembled and raised into position.  All the rigging was placed and lots and lots of rope was used.  Keith Cramer, President of the Dutch Barn Preservation Society came prepared to work and he jumped right in.  A bit later in the day Ray Smith our neighbor came and then John Hughes from across the street showed up.  Then the Ashley from Capital News 9 - pulled up and the rush to raise the big beam without a hitch was on and on camera.

Look for that story on News 9 - tonight after about 9PM.....The raising continues. The Big Boy Rises......See Below

By the end of the day there was only one more bent to raise, the Gable End West Side.....A great days work - Thanks to all who were able to be there today and everyday that we've worked on the barn.....for without the efforts of those who worked the last few weeks and last weekend, we'd still not be this far.

View the ALBUM FOR TODAY FOR MORE PICTURES.

 

So it was Friday on the farm and another nice day.  Everett, Tim and Kirk finished preparations to lift the very large but not the biggest or heaviest bent into place.  Since this is so heavy it was necessary to use two block and tackles and because we we short of people-power we used some tractor HP instead.

At about lifting time, John and Freddie showed up to assist.  I will let the photos speak for them selves.  I have put a couple of pix here the rest are in the photo album for this date.

With the first three Bents raised it was time to add the half wall plate.  A notable couple of visitors stopped by today. Rosie and Gus who helped move the first beams into position came up the hill for a visit - accompanied by their riders of course.  Read the early blobs on this site to see them working. Tim took a little break from the building to take a ride on Gus.

  No it is wall plate time.  Trish Marciano stopped back later to help lift the beams into place.  A skeleton crew of 6 did this job today.  Thanks ALL.  It fit in place like a glove.....due to he careful fitting that tokk place when it was all on the deck of the barn.

Tim, drives the wooden pins in place to hold the north wall plate into place.  Check the photo album for Day 3 Barn Raising for more photos.

 

 

Today the smaller of the LARGE drive through bents was prepared for lifting.  The last HUGE wind-brace was fitted and pinned into place. The lifting rig was readied for the new task. An additional block and tackle was installed to handle the load.

Since we had some trouble with the wooden pegs last weekend, we started soaping them up with homemade soap that my sister Mary Jane Pelzer makes.  It seemed to do the trick and now the pins go in much better and they are clean too :-)

 

Back a few days, I did some writing thanking the Stempel family and employees for their hard- work and effort on this project.  Now it is time to do a couple of things. First and foremost I now have the family name spelled correctly.  The spelling I got came from the Capital District Business Review article on the sawmill.  Apologies to the Stempel's for getting this wrong.

Secondly I called Rudy's daughter Judy, when her actual name is Sandra.  I got that right now also....and best of all I have some photos to go along with it.  On the 20th of October, Rudy, Sandra and Brian stopped by to see the process.  Brian is the magician (Sawyer) who looks at these big logs and decides how to cut them correctly.  Brian is also the one that a few backs took extra time before lunch one day to cut some 4x8's I need for the floor joists.  The whole Stempel team delayed their lunch that day so I could keep going on the barn.  That is good old-fashioned business and neighbor helping neighbor.

 

So here they are from left to right, Rudy Stempel, his daughter Sandra and Brian Stempel....Now for an interesting twist to the lumber business.  Greg Stempel is an expert at falling trees and getting them to the mill. He told me that he has never once put a tree back up in the vertical position.  Well, I have pictures that proves he can and does know how to stand them back up again.....

 

 

See here is Greg thinking about it.....NOW.  I bet he has always wanted to stand one back up.....Gregg stayed the whole day Sunday until the first Bent was upright and locked into position....It was great to have him there.  I am going to sneak in two photos ahead of schedule so the entire Stempel Family Sawmill can see what their efforts have done for Pleasant View Farm.  Thanks to all of you, especially the ones I was not able to mention by name.

 

THANKS AGAIN to the Stempel Family Sawmill.

 

No pictures today, you must read after the barn raising weekend to see the photos.  Lots and lots of people attended today. Many of the usual players were there, Ev, Tim. Kirk, Tony and cast of 20 others.  I should begin by mentioning and thanking the Stemple's for their contribution to this project.  Without it and their dedication to the preservation of rough-cut lumber this entire project would not have been possible. Rudy, his daughter Judy and their employees all deserve a special thanks and blessing from Pleasant View Farm......

Let's all think back a bit...For some of you that are not a part of this family to a time not so long ago when we were much younger and I was younger than all...Being the youngest that goes without saying. Times were hard and yet the family and farm persevered.  We all benefited from the blessings of God and Mother and Father that took heart in the preservation of the past to preserve the future.  Now that work continues as testament to their efforts.

I feel strongly that my siblings Jim, Mary Jane and Ernie contributed greatly to the preservation of this heritage all thought they may not have realized it that time. Let me address that for a moment.  Jim. the eldest son of Ev and Peg was there first and provided many things to the farm including most recently the wooden pegs that will hold this new barn together.  In the end I turned out most like him even though I was the most removed from him by age.  Mary Jane my sister brought me the big-sister and protector thing to me.....Lots of writing could go on about this here, but I feel she will understand and many of you can identify with what having a big-sister means.  Next in line is Ernie, my next oldest sibling.  I spent a great amount of time with him.  Ernie is 8 years my senior and yet we are close in  a special way that we understand........ Ernie was my inspiration for the farm even when I was to young to understand his approach. Quite honestly, Ernie is a key and integral part of why this barn is being built today.  Through my association with my brother as I was young, I developed a sense of love and appreciation for the land that is Pleasant View Farm.......Thanks, Ernie.

Over the years the family of Pleasant View Farm has developed many friends and acquaintances that showed up today. When I publish the photos, I will try and give credit to as many as possible.  If I have missed any of you I apologize in advance.

So many people have contributed in one way or other to the raising of this barn....One that cannot go without mention died over 2000 years ago and my belief says that he created the rainbow that ended the day on Saturday. Yes, God himself has put blessing on this project for all the right reasons.  What other reason could or should be assumed from the fact the day ended in a rain shower with a most magnificent rainbow.  Perhaps the barn was meant to be raised on Sunday 21Fact is, the family is truly blessed by God for Parent, bothers and sister, nieces, nephews, their husbands, wives and children. 

The heritage of Peter J. Ogsbury lives on.  Thanks to all....Watch here for photos tomorrow.  There will a great celebration when this is done.

See you here tomorrow, Ken

Well I went to Philadelphia for two days on business and here is what happened while I was gone. Oh, by the way.....The Barn Raising is this weekend.  I won't commit to all the beams being ready to erect at 7AM on Saturday morning.  Based on what I hear from the lead Project Manager's Everett and Tim, most of the barn will be ready to go and the anticipated time will be around noon-1 on Saturday.  Does that mean you should not show up early?  Of course not there will still be plenty to do in advance of the raising.  I guarantee you, when you first see the work that has gone into this you will want to take some time just to look at the effort.

 

Wednesday, 17-October-2007

This was the day to move the BIG-Boy beam around in preparation for tenon and mortise making for the 8x8 Wind-braces.  Yes I did say 8x8.  You have never seen anything like it.  Many of you might be asking why there is a 10x16 beam in a 26'x42' barn.....Good question and I asked it myself....Answer, the original barn had a 10x16 beam in this location....and believe it or not we still have a piece of that original beam on the farm.....Take a look...appreciate the effort.

In my excitement of the Big Beam, I almost forgot till I looked at the days photos that, the first two bents were put together and placed for raising day.  What an exciting thing this is.  We got to use the wooden pegs my brother Jim Rau made in his shop in Dover, Delaware.....This contribution from the smallest state and my oldest brother sure looms large in the biggest construction project on the farm for over 150 years.

This picture show the first two holes and pegs ready to be placed.

 

Dad, Tim and Kirk take turns putting the pegs in that hold the first bent together.  While there have been a lot of contributors that have made this project a success and I have tried to give all credit. The three people listed below are the prime reasons this project is where it is today.

Thursday, October-18-2007

So the 10x16 by 26' was placed on the deck and the work began and what a job it was.  By the end of the day both tenons were made on the 10x16 and the wind braces and pockets to receive them are complete.  I tell you this is one big Tooth-Pick.

Want to hear the best news.....? 
This 10x16 actually came from a tree that was harvested from Pleasant View Farm.  By its age, it was most certainly there when our ancestors lived on the farm.....Their legacy lives on in this barn.  Thanks to them.....I am thanking them because I am sure St. Peter has the very best broad-band connection and wide-screen monitors with the latest Internet Cafe......

Ever seen an 8x8 wind-brace?  Well now you have. The best thing to do is to come see it person on Saturday.

See ya'll Saturday.

Dad owes me some text to go along with these photos, but I wanted to get them out there tonight.

Mom and or Dad please send me the names of these people and some text.

 

Sunday - 14-October-2007

For this the youngest Lainhart, Charlie stopped by to work on some joints.  I have not seen him in years and years and unfortunately we did not get a good photo of him either.  That surely doesn't matter because we sure appreciated his help.  I am sure his visit also provided some good memories for my Dad as Charlie is the son of Reid Lainhart one of my father's closest friends as he was growing up.
 

These two photos show the entire South wall assembled and ready raising day.  Too bad it all had to be taken apart so that the 26' cross beams can be prepared for the final assembly. 

Monday - 15-October-2007

We had a special delivery today. A man (WHOM I WILL NAME LATER - Because I don't know his name now) stopped by with a most marvelous gift for Dad (Ev).  I must admit I have never replaced a handle in a Broad Axe or any tool that did not come from the hardware store or Home Depot.  When you look at the photo and realize that (INSERT NAME HERE LATER)  hand split a piece of ash and hand crafted to a custom fit this beautiful handle for this Axe.  What a craftsman....Thanks Very Much, (INSERT NAME HERE LATER).  Please accept my apologies for not having the name tonight. I am trying to get this done before I leave for Philadelphia in less than 6 hours and it is already 10:30.

Tuesday - 16-October-2007

Just when you thought you'd seen a lot of wood Rudy Stemple delivered the final load of large timbers.  The Stemple's went to a lot of extra effort to cut this lumber at 26 feet long.  This effort by the Stemple Lumber Co. has not gone unnoticed......So for those of you who thought big wood had been delivered to the barn, take a look below.  Those are 8x8x26 and the mother of all beams a 10x16x26. My God that is a lot of lumber in one piece.  The work has already begun on the small beams, but on Wednesday the big-boy will get moved around somehow and prepared for assembly.  When you see these beams, you'll know why we need lots of muscle on Saturday. 
Enjoy the photos.....
The BIG Boy Tim and Kirk got right to work!

Thanks to The Stemple Family Sawmill

Well folks, it looks like there will be a barn to raise this weekend - RAIN OR SHINE.  Tim Rau informs me that on Tuesday the West wall and maybe more will be assembled and placed into position for raising. In many places things are left unsaid, but not here because I am the editor of this blog/publication, so here goes.  This weekends raising would not be made possible without the dedicated effort of all those that have helped.  Most honorable mention goes to Kirk Greenfield for his daily efforts at Pleasant View Farm.  He has thrown his time and full dedication to this project and I know I sincerely thank him for this.  This is no way diminishes the efforts of the other dedicated workers who've got full schedules and my thanks goes out to them also.

I would be completely remiss for not mentioning the Stemple Lumber Company for making the effort to find and deliver a 26 foot 10x16 beam to this project.  In today's era of early harvest such beams are hard to obtain.  Also, Rudy Stemple overcame great obstacles in his yard to even cut this lumber.  I am grateful for his cooperation and extra effort.  Thanks, Rudy Stemple.

One last thing before I close for today.....A picture of the Senior Project Manager (Everett) talking to the Rudy Stemple on a MOBILE phone during the recreation of a 1799 barn that my ancestors once built.  Rest assured that this barn will not fall victim to a leaking roof. It will stand for generations as a testament to the determination that Everett and Peg Rau have demonstrated to me and my family about what is good and right with our country and the heritage that made it great.  Of wood, sweat and good friends that past is preserved for more generations.

Now for the photo! - Wait what is this? Am I really standing in the place of two-four generations before talking into a phone?  ..... Imagine, how our wood for a barn was ordered when this barn was originally built.  See you all Saturday!