October 2019 Anadarko, OK

October 2019 Anadarko, OK

Oakridge Ministries

After the SOWER Board Meeting at the end of September 2019, Wayne and I traveled to Anadarko, OK for our October 2019 project - Oakridge Ministries.  The Harper's and the Olson's joined us for the month.  This is a family run camp by the Ball's, they made us feel like one of the family of course.  Many delicious meals and lots to accomplish, which primarily was the remodel of the bottom floor of a 2-story lodge.  Four bedrooms with at 8-10 bunkbeds and one large bathroom with toilets, sinks and shower stalls which needed major renovations.  A dark floor came alive with bright colors and new flooring.

We were also able to make a sightseeing trip to Oklahoma City to see where the bombing took place at the government building and the land-rush scene.  We also took this opportunity to venture to South Dakota to change our domicile address, which incorporated our drivers licenses and voter registrations.

Many side trips to Lawton, OK for dinners, shopping and theaters.  At the end of the project the Keumichel's stopped for 3 days of which Richard was able to finish the details on the entryway signage for the camp that he and Laurie had begun that summer.

Roy & Lola left immediately after the project for their home in Oregon.  Lola needed to return for some annual medical appointments where she found out that cancer has returned.  She and Roy are staying for treatments as I write this update.

Oakridge Ministries
A family run camp where the
presence of Jesus is felt everyday.

Our mission was to remodel 4 rooms like this.
First the dismantling and removal of the bunkbeds,
and removal of all decorations.

The toilets and stalls were removed along
with urinal plumbing and all decorations.

Then the shower stall decorations were removed
to include lighting and ceilings above the showers.
Leaks were repaired from up above.  Floors of showers
had to be ground so that new while tiling could be
installed.  All shower plumbing was revamped
and new FRP walls were installed on top of the brick walls.

Roy & Lola Olson needed
some g'parenting moments
with one of the g'babies of
Ball's.

Lola Olson, Lana Harper and myself

were primarily instrumental in 

prepping the walls

of the lodge, and repainting.

Roy Olson and Wayne grinding
the floors of the showers so that
while ceramic tile could be laid.

On days we were unable to get into the lodge,
us ladies sorted and priced items to go in the
camp store for next year.

One weekend Wayne & I went to 
Oklahoma City for sightseeing.
Here is a relic from the Cowboy Museum.

Large mural paintings in the Museum.

The land-rush monuments
in Oklahoma City.

The sad part, visiting the area
that was bombed by Timothy McVey
in the 1980's.

At nighttime was when
it really tugged at your 
heartstrings.

The little chairs represented the many
children that lost their lives in a senseless
act that day - they were in a daycare
located in that building.

 Back to Oakridge!
Gail making toast in an
antique toaster.  I am
sure you cannot buy one
of these today!

The Harper's.  Dan incased the AC unit in this
room so that it could be accessed by a door.  This man could work circles around all of us.

Roy & Wayne laying the tile in the showers.

Next came the FRP for
the walls in the showers.

A little time out for dining in truly a hole in the wall cafe
in truly the middle of nowhere.  If our friends the Harpers
had not suggested it, we would have never stopped!
Hamburgers are the most amazing ever!

Mz. Lola getting more
GRANNIE time in!

Now Mr. Wayne getting

some of that G'PA time in.

Something we SOWERs miss

while traveling - our own g'children.

On the way to South Dakota
to change our domicile from
North Carolina to SD.  This 
was flooding in Iowa.

Oakridge's new entry way

thanks to Mr. Richard Keumichel.

Before lettering.

New tiles on floors of 

shower stalls.

Bunk rooms coming
along.

New shower 

plumbing being built in.

New ceilings to 
incorporate recessed
lighting.

The ladies altered purchased curtains to be put in each
 bunk room and the leftovers were made into toppers for the privacy rooms outside the showers and a curtain
for the bathroom.  Waste not!

Starting to brighten up!

Even brighter!

Lola painting new
baseboards to be installed.

Now, the hallway needs brightening up!

Privacy stalls added
to outside of showers.

Much was accomplished at Oakridge.  We would love to come back in our travels.  The family atmosphere was the best part of being there.  We love the Ball family!