By Showandah Terrill
“I see who you are,” said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw.”
Admittedly a very old pun. Still, it can be hard to want to volunteer to help out on a job site or on a committee, when you don’t know who anybody is. Habitat for Humanity is really in need of helpers, so we thought we’d let you know who’s already there helping.
We are your neighbors, your friends; the person who sits beside you in church or at the high school football game. All of us are local. Here are three people you may know.
If you don’t, come by and introduce yourself. If swinging a hammer and physical work is your idea of volunteering, these are the guys to ask.
The job site itself is being supervised by construction coordinator Connor Nielson. He owns Clear River Construction and Design.
Three days a week he works on the Habitat house, the other four days he’s an independent licensed contractor. He’s originally from Idaho and came to Forks after serving in the Marine Corps.
He’s been here a while and plans to stay, saying Forks suits him. In “all his spare time” (followed by a chuckle) he enjoys the same thing most of the folks out here do – fishing, hunting, surfing. He’d welcome you on the site and will patiently teach you what you need to do to best help out.
Bob Tiemeyer has been here since 1958. After 50 years you’re considered a local, even by Forks standards. He’s a retired correctional officer who worked at OCC, which accounts for his gruff and humorous approach to the job.
He enjoys traveling with his wife of 13 years and he enjoys working on the Weavers’ house, as well. He says he got his building knowledge from working as a volunteer for Habitat, and “just common sense,” which should tell you that serious walk-ons are welcome.
Bill Terrill has 40 years of building houses under his belt.
He’s retired only in the sense that he doesn’t have to punch a time clock anymore. When he’s not pulling his big orange Woodmizer around doing custom bandsaw work for people or working on the Habitat house, he and his wife are refurbishing the old Hagadorn place out on the Quillayute – you know, Jack Tuttle’s dad’s old place – where they tend a small herd of lowline Angus, a huge garden, greenhouse, berry patch and a relatively unproductive orchard.
Bill is a patient teacher, having been married to one for 42 years. He, too, would welcome more help, and says every person can contribute something.
Habitat is once again building in our community. Our crew is a mix of Forks folks who worked on the last house, along with an enthusiastic new group of local talent. Habitat in Forks has a bright future and we would like you to consider joining us. Come by the site or contact the Habitat Clallam County office at 360-417-7543.
