We've built a new house. See details below.. Check back often to see how the construction develops.

July 2007

John Hendrickson

John Hendrickson, of J E Hendrickson Excavating (296-5411) works magic with an excavator. Using the large machine you see in the picture along with a laser level, John is able to dig the hole for the basement and level the site where the home will be built. That dirt is close to level all around the 28 x 48-foot dimension. That, my friends, is poetry in motion. John's a working class hero, in my book, and if you need the service he provides, I'd give him a call and save your back. If you don't think leveling a dirt site with the large machine pictured is a work-of-art, pick up a shovel and go out in your backyard and move tons of dirt, getting it level from one end to another. As for me, I can't imagine calling anyone else.

Jerry Juntunen, the building inspector

Jerry Juntunen, the Houghton County Building Inspector, finds the time in his busy schedule to inspect the footings prior to the pour. The truck in the other picture is a county vehicle. Prior to its purchase, Jerry used his own vehicle to tour the Copper Country, inspecting job sites. Even though he is a government employee, Jerry is a working class hero. Say true and thank God, big big.

Joe Haapala

Whenever I've poured concrete in the past, it has rained. Joe Haapala, of Moyle Concrete and Building Supply, works a different kind of magic with a very heavy cement truck. Joe is another working class hero, performing another kind of magic, getting the concrete from the truck, to the footings, without the grunt in the hole (me) having to work at a frenzied pace. Thanks to the rain, or because of it, the pour was more difficult than it would have been without. If you need rain, ask me to schedule concrete and we'll be in for a pour. Bring plastic. I always do.

Due to scheduling demands, photos couldn't be taken during the pour, no pun intended, and the plastic in the photo was the first shot after kahvi aiga, (coffee time) as Dad used to say. Learning the ropes with Dad, the words kahvi aiga brought a quiet sigh of relief. Kahvi aiga meant it was time for a cup of coffee in the cab of the truck and a bologna sandwich, the bread buttered on both sides. The only difference is that when it rained hard when I was young, Dad would say, “It ought to be good fishing the Quincy tomorrow,” meaning that I could go fishing the next day, and that would be the extent of the conversation, way back when. I don't remember it raining as much then, and years ago, we did it all by hand, without benefit of the services that Joe delivered. Thanks Joe, you did well.

Erik Kivela, another hard-working employee of Moyle Concrete and Building Supply delivers the Nudura forms that will be used for the foundation of the house. Erik is another working-class hero, say true and thank God big big. I asked Erik if Kivela is French. Here in Lake Linden, where I live and where the house is being constructed, it makes for great comedy to ask if one is French. I'm pretty sure I asked Joe Haapala if he was French, as well. Laissez les bon temps rouler. (I think they eat pot pies, the French, that is. Probably a take-off on the pasty, that Soumalainen delight that the Cornish tries to take credit for.)

If you’re reading this and it’s July or August, 2007, and if you’re interested in the location, interested in buying a home, it’s not too late to make arrangements to finish the basement—as it stands, that will be left unfinished, although there will be a patio door and egress windows installed for a future family room and bedrooms or whatever your imagination and desire can believe possible. The home is also being constructed with an eye toward a future attached garage. Why didn’t I complete the basement and attach a garage at the start? Money. You do what you can afford to do, or what the banks agree with. It may still be early enough to contact me and inquire about kitchen cabinets, floor coverings, windows and doors, and siding and roofing.

If you turned left (you can only turn left here) by Kiilunen Repair works, continue north on Gregory. You could turn right/east, onto any number of intersecting streets, from 12th to 14th, and continue east until you get to Corago Street and turn left onto Corago, following it north until it eventually turns 90 degrees to the right onto Aspen Drive. 1009 Aspen Drive is the last lot on the left just past the “T” intersection with Garden Street.

Check out the photos and the additional information about that area of Lake Linden. The lot size is 18,092 square feet, measures 101.12’ on the front, 100’ on the back, 180.92’ on the west side and 196’ on the right side. For the sake of comparison, I’ve been living on a lot that measures 50’ x 100’, so 1009 Aspen Drive is four times as big.

Walt Anderson, owner, licensed, insured, bonded
725 Maple Street,
Lake Linden, MI
906-296-9750

info@superwindowman.com

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