WORK PARTY - August 7A summer work party will be held at the Orchard, beginning at 8:30 AM, Tuesday, August 7. Weed eating, pruning suckers, clearing ditches, cleaning up brush, and possible work around some of the structures are all a part of the work that needs to be done. Please join us when you can, do what you can, and stay as long as you can. Bring your gloves; all equipment provided.
BINGAM ELECTED TO BOARD
Dick Bingham of Stehekin has been elected to a three-year term as a Stehekin Community Representative on the Foundation Board. Dick and his wife Adele are year-round residents of Stehekin. Dick is a retired engineer from Hewlett-Packard and serves as backup in maintaining the Valley's power plant.
END OF AN ERA
On July 6, after 40 years of residing at the Buckner Homestead, Wendy Garfoot moved to her beautiful new log home on the Company Creek side of the Stehekin Valley. Wendy will be truly missed at the Orchard. A gracious hostess, a wonderful guide, and a caring and passionate caretaker of the Homestead and orchard, Wendy now moves on to the new family home begun by her late husband, Phil.
The Buckner Orchard and Homestead would not be what it is today if not for the care and love given the by Wendy and Phil over the past 40 years. We thank them both, and are saddened to see her leave.
Plans for future use of the Buckner home are, as yet, unannounced, with renovation of the electrical, plumbing, and foundation in the works for sometime in the next two or three years. It is hoped that the National Park Service will address this with the community in the near-future, as the Orchard is an important part of the Stehekin Valley Community fabric.
THANK YOU
Many thanks to the 20+ members of the Stehekin Community who, earlier this spring, provided much needed help in raking and stacking brush at the Orchard. Organized by Bob and Tami Nielsen, the work party included younger members of the community, as well as adults. Thanks to all who helped!
PROJECTS UPDATE
Much is being accomplished at the Orchard in addition to the usual maintenance and hard-work done by orchardist, Laurie Thompson.
Funded in part by the Foundation, the following projects are a part of this year's seasonal work:
Tree Cage Removal - (partially completed) 45 wire cages and metal stakes are being removed from younger trees as they are now mature enough to withstand the deer and bear that frequent the orchard.
New Elk and Bear Fence Installation - (nearly completed) With major work contributed by the Washington Conservation Corp, a second section of the orchard is nearly ready for protection by a new elk and deer fence. The fence is located in that section of the orchard adjacent to that already fenced orchard and to the packing shed slab. Designed to allow deer to enter and leave, but keeping bear and elk from doing so, the fence features removable gate panels that will keep elk from jumping the fence in winter when they are most destructive to trees.
Removing cages from younger trees, with new fence to the left.
Culvert Replacement - (permitting stage) NPS is waiting for approval from federal and state historic preservation offices to replace the wire-wrapped wood stave pipe with the original-style wood box culverts. If you know where we might acquire wire-wrapped wood stave pipe, please let us know. It could save a lot of time and effort.
Hazardous Tree Removal - (planning stage) It is anticipated this will be a fall project.
WSU Extension Service Visit - (planning stage) Again, it is anticipated this will take place in early October.
Tractor Tire Filling (in process) Due to the sharp stubs created by the brush mulcher, one tire on the Foundation-provided tractor needs to be filled with a foam-like substance to prevent the need to frequently repair flats. The tire has been sent to Oregon for this purpose, at a cost of about $300.00. Fortunately, one tire was already filled.
Additional Projects - NPS-funded projects are also tentatively planned for this summer, including replacing several logs in the Buzzard cabin which are invested with ants, and re-roofing and repairs to the milk separator house.
Foundation Board Meeting - 8 AM, Monday, August 6, Stehekin Bakery Gazebo.
Don't forget the work party on the 7th of August, and that your help is welcome there at any time. Just look up Laurie at the Orchard and let her know you have some time to contribute.
The Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created specifically to support and preserve the Buckner Homestead and Orchard in Stehekin, Washington,
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