AGERhouse.org: Progress on the second floor library 2007

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Progress on the second floor library

As you drove by the Ager House recently, did you observe piles of debris on the back porch, see a large white truck with hoses running into the house, or notice several pickup trucks in the parking lot on Thursdays? Like returning robins are harbingers of spring, these are signs that the remodeling of the second floor library is really happening.

Member volunteers have organized material, stored books, and removed debris from the second floor to make way for the remodeling project. Eau Claire Insulation Company was contracted by the Board to insulate the walls and attic space and has completed that part of the project. Rod Johnson, Norb Wurtzel, Tom Tompkins, and the crew of volunteers from Eau Claire Habitat for Humanity have been meeting at the house to prepare :the walls and floors for their final finishes.

The Board has also contracted with Greg Lindbo
to sheetrock, tape, and texture the walls and ceilings. This work will be completed around the first of May when the Habitat crew will return to finish installing woodwork and trim. We are grateful to Ager Member, Butch Paulson, who has volunteered to refinish the hardwood floors and install carpet.

For the finishing touches on the project, we need volunteers to paint walls and trim, to install the finish on the hardwood floors, and to help move books and other equipment into the completed areas. Hopefully these tasks will occur some time in late Mayor early June.

If you are able to volunteer for any of these projects, please contact one of the Board members listed in this newsletter.

Update: Fall 2007
More progress on second-floor library

Work on the library continues to progress. The walls are now completely refinished with new sheetrock. And, thanks to Tom Tompkins, all the surfaces are painted with a special vapor barrier primer and sealer.

The next step will be to apply the final coats of paint to the walls, ceilings, and trim. If you are a painter and can help with this part of the project, please contact a member of the Board of Directors.

After the painting has been completed, the renovation will continue with the refinishing of the wood floors, the installation of the carpet, and the construction of the bookshelves.

Update: Fall 2007
Furniture and Frames — Lovely Gifts for the House

During the past few months, the Ager Association has had several items donated to it for use in the Ager House. Karren Bergh Bloom has donated two beautiful table picture frames to be used on the organ, which will display photos of her grandparents, Waldemar Ager and his wife, Gurolle Blestren Ager, as young adults.

Borgny Ager, also a granddaughter, has donated the original settee and rocker used in the Ager House to the Association. She has also designated memorial funds for Inga Ager to have the two pieces recovered for placement in the sitting room of the house. In addition, Borgny has given some of the frames that have been used for pictures of the Ager children, and she has had the framing done for all of the photos.

Thank you both for your generosity.

Update: Fall 2007
Eau Claire Library book group meets at Ager House

The morning book group from the city library met at the Ager House in May. Tim Hirsch, Ager Board Member and retired UWEC English professor, led the discussion of Ager’s Into the Melting Pot, which the group had selected as their May “read.”

“Being in the actual home of the author and seeing the family pictures really made the discussion more interesting. Tim’s enthusiasm for Waldemar Ager and his works gave us a more meaningful understanding of his work and the issues he supported,” said Sue Glenz, group member.

Following the discussion and a tour of the Ager House, a buffet lunch was served.