Bridgeton Volunteer Work
A group of 13 Wabash men take a few moments before tackling their work to hear John Meara talk about the history of the Bridgeton bridge.
One group of guys spent the better part of their afternoon staining what will become the colorful sideboards to the new covered bridge.
Derek Lough, far end in light blue shorts, and Brian Maloney move another panel for painting.
Brad Jones makes sure to get the edges of each board.
Jacob Castilow loads up four by fours on a front end loader. The guys helped organize the lumber yard, painted, and completed general clean up work.
Sean Huston roles on another coat of red stain.
The guys get busy putting the trademark red stain on the panels which will be affixed to the side of the new covered bridge.
James Jared reaches down to help load up another four by four.
Seth Nunan grabs one of the four by fours for loading up.
Garrett Pino was one of several upperclassmen lending a hand.
John Meara, who studied Parke County bridges for a summer Present Indiana internship, rides along on the tractor gathering scrap wood.
The two large superstructures made of tulip poplar beams sit waiting to move into place Monday morning. They will be transported a few hundred feet to the bridge abutments over Racoon Creek then hoisted into place with two large cranes.
Jesse Purvis sweeps down a board to be painted. The bridge superstructure looms in the background.
No question a group of 23 Wabash men can get a lot of work done in just a couple of hours.
Jesse Purvis applies another coat of stain to the wooden panels. Over his shoulder in background you can see the old mill near where the new covered bridge will be erected.
Ok, ok - it was hot! Or is it, boys will be boys? After two hours in hot sunshine the cool water of Racoon Creek was just too tempting. The bridge abutment can be seen in upper left of this photo. Workers are also making repairs to the small damn that adds beauty beneath the covered bridge.