When I first saw Sleepy Hollow a few years ago I thought it was a rather unique name the kids had given it. Half way down a hill, away from the rest of the camp just enough to deserve such a name.
As the years passed, I began to notice that due to safety concerns etc. the cabin was not being utilized as well as it could.
Finally, this year I had it in my head that something needed to be done. At least started. I inquired about the future of Sleepy Hollow and what could be done to either move it or save its condition where it is.
The committee came back to me and said it was going to remain where it was. So lets start a three step refurbish program on it I thought. Stage one would require it to be lifted and new footings placed underneath it. Stages two and three would be a new roof then an interior / exterior upgrade/repair.
Now, when I first approached the committee I really didn't want Oneida to have to put out any costs that may be related to the repairs so some well placed requests for donations went out. The guesstimate for repairs were $250.00 maximum. Well, I am very please that a number of wonderful individuals stepped up and gave with their hearts. Secondly, I am also pleased to say that the work came under the guesstimate and any funds raised above the costs will remain with Oneida for other repairs. Not only were there a number of wonderful people giving donations of monies. People came to the call for volunteers to help and gave their time, muscles, leadership, and knowledge. I'll mention them as we go through the photos below.
Thank you to everyone that contributed to this phase one (of three) project.
As you can see, the footings of the cabin required attention to be reset on level ground. There was one beam that needed a bit of repair as well. Later on when the exterior of the ca
bin is redone with siding it can be set low enough to cover up the edges of the beams so no more rot will occur. Thanks Beth for the photos.
Thank you to John, Gordon, Harry and Ted for your help in raising the cabin. For your continued help throughout the day to dig out the front footings, straighten the entrance steps and secure all of the front footings. This was a very huge day of work and all went according to plan.
A day later Breanna and I went down to pour the footings into the 6 to 10 inch deep holes left from the previous placement stones. A tough day for the both of us mixing and bucketing 20 bags of concrete. The two footings under the middle of the cabin were the most difficult. I finished up the last footing the next day as we actually required 24 bags to accomplish the task.
Monday I did a few beam repairs, moved those 200 pound footings into place and set the big 'O' in the front trenches to be covered in gravel. Thank you to the Walters family for providing the 4 inch big 'O' at no cost. Every savings goes a long way. 
Wednesday we finished up the job by lowering the cabin onto its new footings and pads. A bit of tidying up then we shoveled a good half pickup load of coarse gravel into the front trench over the big 'O' to allow water to much more easily drain and keep the cabin wood dry from rot.
After this first stage has been completed, I would like to thank:
- The board at Camp Oneida for allowing me the opportunity to bring forward the following people and businesses to help make camp a fun and safe place for all those awesome and wonderful children you will be ministering to this summer.
- Harry Alway, Ted Alway, John Nichols, Gordon Nichols, Breanna Oke, Carter Kingsbury, Walters family, Mac Troyer and Townsend lumber, Geo. Burnett Trucking (Sandra) for the gravel.
- Everyone who made a financial contribution to make this happen. Without you, we the above could not have made this happen.
Thank you,
James Oke
P.S. You may be wondering when stages 2 and 3 will occur. Well, when you hear me asking for donations . . . it will be just a little while after that. :)
