Family Project: install new sink

My project was to install a sink in our basement bar. We used copper piping to bring hot and cold water to the faucets. We used Shark Bite T connectors to connect the new copper tubing to the existing pipe so we didn't had to solder into wet pipe.  We connected the drain pipe to the existing PVC pipes that exited the house.

Me, my dad, and my uncle all helped in making this. I helped by drilling holes in the wall, allowing us to stick pipes through the wall, I also collected all the supplies and tools. My dad worked on the drain, cementing the PVC pipe. My uncle was the foreman who guided us through the project, he also helped solder the new pipe.

This benefited my family because now that we have a sink my dad doesn't have bring the glasses upstairs for cleaning. My dad can also make ice cubes without going upstairs. but the big thing is it finishes the bar which is nice gathering place for family and guests.

Family Project-replace smoke detectors

My project was to replace our smoke detectors with new ones because ours were old and broken and I wanted my family to be safe.

The new ones we bought don't only detect smoke but they also detect carbon monoxide. They communicate with each other so if one goes off so does all the others and its loud.

This benefited my family by keeping us safe from fire or carbon monoxide by broadcasting through each detector in the house.

Norman Rockwell Museum

my dad my grandma and i went to the Norman Rockwell museum to see all of  Norman Rockwells artwork.

Norman Rockwell was an artist who was most famous for creating illustrations of everyday life scenarios for magazines. Rockwell also drew pictures for his 64 year relationship with boy scouts. during world war 2 he painted the four freedoms which were freedom of want, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom from fear.

in 1943 a fire in his studio destroyed loads of Rockwell's masterpieces. Rockwell eventually came up with a second phase for his career to draw modern characters and solutions. he eventually meet Elliot Caplin who was  the brother of cartoonist Al Capp then eventually thought they should make a daily comic strip, in 1963 Rockwell painted his last post. he published 321 cover painting. in 1968 Rockwell was commissioned to draw cover portraits of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper he was also commissioned to draw president Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Jawaharlal Nehru. one of his last drawings was a portrait of Judy Garland in 1969. in 1977 Rockwell received the presidential medal of freedom. Rockwell Died November 8 1978 at the age of 84

At this museum i saw most of his Saturday evening post covers, the four pictures of freedom, the art studio (the way he left it) and some pictures of boy scouts.

Some of Norman Rockwell's Boy Scout pictures

Me in front of two Norman Rockwell Boy Scout pictures

The Vernon Police Explorers Post 800

Vernon police explorers is an organization that teaches teenagers what a police officer does on there job.

The explorers learn about weapons such as guns and tasers.  the explorers also learn how to pull someone over and approach the vehicle. the explorers also learn how to help with traffic and get certified in first aid.

Police explorers also help out the community during many town events.
usually they help with traffic and parking.

I joined the police explorers in February.  I go to a 2 hour long meeting every Monday.

I had helped with the traffic during the mothers day dash in Vernon and in the memorial day parade in Rockville I also will be helping with the fireworks on forth of July.  I have already earned over eight hours of community service and I plan to stay involved in the police explorers.

Me with former congressman Rob Simmons at the Police Explorers Post 800 Annual Banquet

Memorial Day Parade 2014 Traffic Control

My 20 mile hike

On Sunday June 9th we did an out and back 20 miler.  We hiked with myself , parents, Teddy, Jackson, Geezer Morse, and my mom's friend Beth. We traveled from Church street in Vernon to the town Andover back to Vernon.
It was an long walk but I overall handled it pretty well however teddy on the other hand actually did the walk for life the day before so he was already sore and he had a tough time. We stopped at the 711 to get food I got chopped peaches and beef jerky and ate on a covered bridge which was also are turn point. I kept hydrated i only needed to refill twice.We walked by camp Johnson It took 2 hours to get there and four hours to get back.

We went from Vernon to Bolton to Coventry to Andover to Bolton to Andover  (and over and over and over).   I'm glad that hike is over.

 

View Hop River State Park Trail in a larger map

Vernon Board of Education Budget Meeting on 6/4/2013

Today me and my dad went to a public meeting about what to do with $51,669,787.00.   The board of education had an extra million dollars that they could add to their budget.

The first person I met was Mrs. Marinan.   She was my sister guidance counselor .    She recognized me. She was just there to watch.

Then Dr.Conway. Was wondering what a kid was doing here. She came to talk to me. She asked me if I was a boy scout. I said yes, very shocked because I wasn’t in uniform. She knew about boy scouts because she has four sons who were all boy scouts. And her Youngest One is a eagle scout.   She was a very nice lady. Before the meeting she whispered in to Mr Houle’s  ear. And he looked at me so I was assuming she was talking about me.

Then the meeting started.   Dr Conway proposed her budget Changes to the members of the board.   Her arms were folded she made eye contact with each board member. She emphasized her points by moving her hands.

The board members took turns voting on each thing that would be added on to the budget. Sometimes they disagree.  But one guy was unhappy he was rubbing his head.  One lady left the table she didn’t feel well.   

They took a break . I went to talk to Mrs. Buell, I see her at school when she has meetings with my parents.   We had a nice chat 

One big concern was whether to add more staff or Having enough money for insurance.  This year they had to remove staff because the didn’t have enough money and they didn’t want to do that again.

Eventually they added a million dollars worth of stuff. And the meeting was over.  

We went to talk to Mr. Houle.  I shook his hand. He went to high school with my dad.   He asked me what I thought of The meeting. I told him it was good but there wasn’t that much fighting.  And he thank me for coming.

10 mile hike #5

Today me my mom and my dad went on a n out and back hike on the Vernon rail to trails. from my house to Rockville high school and back. the trails had snow on them so we had to be careful not to get our feet wet and cold.we stop at the shell station to get more water.  i did get a small blister on my left heel but my dad did have moleskin so i was able to finish the hike.

View Rails To Trails Hike in a larger map