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Michael Soldan
04-20-2004 17:43:10
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First thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Time makes a big difference. Yesterday we got all the tractors and machinery out of one shed. We used two loader tractors to lift debris and roof trusses etc and then we'd extracate the machinery under it. We got the 584 out, then a hopper wagon then the M and a cultivator, then baler, corn planter and an Innes bean rower and set of JD pullers for beans. The 584 has the most damage, the rest of it came out with minor stuff like bent markers or scrapes in the paint..nothing ruined and all easily repairable. Today we shoved the debris up in a heap and lit it..there were just too many screws to remove to get the steel separated fron the rafter pieces. We took a hay rack and went along the highway picking up steel roof sheets and we cleaned up the neighbouring fields of wood and steel from the roof. We believe the barn roof was airborn for about a 1000 yard before it hit the field and the debris pattern started. We stripped the roof steel off of one side of the other shed, lifted it and rescued a car that was under it. There are still two cars, a tractor, wagon and manure spreader along with garden tractor, air compressor and the general farm tools and hand equipment. Two contractors bid on the house repair and that is taken care of. It looks like the insurance company is willing to let me replace the two sheds with one big one and so I think that will just about cover the cost of the new shed. The barn will be close as the adjuster said I may need an engineer to determine if it is structurally sound to rebuild the roof. Cutting the stringer beams out and putting in trusses is another option( nothing against engineers but they seem to add so much to the cost of a job, however if it wasn't for engineers the place might fall down too!) I am considering getting a deep hole dug and burying the foundations from the old sheds. Today I had 6 neighbours there helping, two yesterday. My story was featured on CFPL tv London Ontario, picture coverage of the damage and an interview, I recieved many calls from folks who didn't know and had several well wishers including the mayor drop in today. We have several days clean up yet but things are starting to fall into order, I'm thinking about a new building and work area, barn roofed in time to put hay in and things tidied up. I have always kept the farm neat and buildings painted and in good repair so I am anxious to get to that stage. My brother arrived today and he had tears in his eyes, it was his home and childhood and place where he grew up too, my eldest daughter arrived and she too teared up, remembering her granddad and grandmother and how they would have felt if they were still here, it was tough to see the damage but I'm looking on. Our good friend on the forum Hugh Mackay has made so many offers to help and there will be a time when I call upon him. You guys were so supportive and even though I came home for supper at 7:30, and dog tired I thought I would update you all, things are looking better already. God bless my good neighbours, thats just the country way, and bless all of you for your concern and support...slowly surely getting there..Mike in Exeter Ontario
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