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April 2006 Newsletter
To our Guests & Friends,
As you will see when you read this issue of the newsletter, March was a
particularly busy month at Hermann Hill Village. Highly skilled concrete workers
had to face many challenges. But with the cooperation of Mother Nature, who
provided ideal weather for the job at hand, the concrete work was completed on
schedule.
(You will notice an asterisk (*) throughout the newsletter. This indicates a
reference to Hermann Hill's
Three-Mile
Walk. Information about the walk is on
our web site.)
| Million dollar cement pump hired for Village project |
When people see the work going on at
Hermann Hill Village
for the first time, they often comment about how big a project it is.
However, last month when a brand new, $1.5 million, 55-meter, concrete
pump pulled up the driveway at the Village, we knew we had latched onto
something really big.
The pump, from Mid America Pumping in Eugene, Missouri, is the third
largest in the world, and pouring the concrete flooring in the
cottages at Hermann Hill Village was this pump's maiden voyage, so to speak.
Designed in Germany and built in White Bear, Minnesota, by Schwing
America, the pump makes its way from job to job hooked up to a Mack
Truck cab and chassis. |
The boom of the brand new, $1.5 million, concrete pump spanned nearly
200 feet to reach the job site
at Cottage #3. Also pictured are Cottages
4 and 5. |
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Dean Kern operates the flow of concrete from the pump
to Cottage #3 by remote control. |
Pump operator Dean Kern, an 8-year veteran of pouring concrete and member of
Local 513 in Jefferson City, called this job "very challenging." What made it
difficult was finding enough room, and stable ground, to park the equipment.
Dean said, "You must be very careful about what's underneath." Another challenge
was dealing with all the trees on the property. He described his as "a dangerous
business". Operators are well trained, and Dean said the owners of the vehicle,
Mike and Pam Rackers, hire workers who are drug free, competent and responsible.
"They have a lot of faith putting one guy out on a piece of equipment like
this," said Dean, about the million-dollar machine.
The 55-meter boom spanned nearly 200 feet to reach the site where the
concrete had to be poured at Hermann Hill Village. Using a
remote-control device that he operated from the deck side of the
cottages and out of eyeshot of the pump, Dean controlled the flow of
concrete from the pump to the work area. Then Brian Terry's concrete
workers took over. |
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Brian, owner of OCI Concrete Specialists in Macon, Missouri, was in
charge of the concrete work in the cottages, and he was the one who
hired the concrete pump for the job. With an extensive background in
pouring concrete and owning concrete plants and ready-mixed concrete
businesses, he said his experience with these aspects of the concrete
business were helpful in a complicated job like this. "It was about as
complicated as you can get," admitted Brian. |
Concrete flooring was selected for the cottages because it is quiet underfoot.
However, weight, particularly on second-story floors, is an issue when you deal
with concrete, so a lightweight rock had to be used. Also, the coloring of the
concrete is a factor. When stamping concrete to look like wood, stone, or brick,
the color has to be just right.
Brian admitted that a huge amount of planning and preparation went into a
project of this magnitude. Using such a large concrete pump for the first time
added an unknown component to the project. Concrete work was done in several
phases. During Phase 1, the basement floors were poured with colored concrete
and stamped to create the look of wood plank or notched slate. Phase 2 included
using the 55-meter pump to pour all the upper floors with lightweight, colored,
concrete and stamping in a planked design. |
Workers hired by OCI Concrete Specialists spread concrete delivered
through a hose into the bedroom/bathroom of Cottage #2. |
Brian is pleased with the end result now that the floors in all five cottages
are poured. Working conditions were ideal during the month of March, and "the
job was completed right on schedule on March 22," Brian happily reported.
To view more photos of our progress at Hermann Hill Village, click on the
Hermann Hill Village page. Samples of different types of flooring that can be
created with concrete using the stamping process can be seen on OCI's web site
at www.ociconcrete.com.
Hermann artists open studios for Artists of Wine Country Tour
Six Hermann artists will open their studios and galleries to visitors on April
29 and 30. Some will demonstrate their craft. The studios will be open from 10
to 5 on Saturday and 11 to 4 on Sunday, and the artists will be selling their
work on site. Admission is free.
A printed tour guide with artist profiles and a map showing the locations of the
studios will be available on tour dates only at Colorful Brushes* at 126 E.
Fourth St., the studio of watercolor artist Catherine Mahoney.
Catherine is a life member of the National Watercolor Honor Society and holds
memberships in several other prestigious organizations. She is a national
award-winning, multimedia, "en plein air" artist. For the past 16 years,
Catherine has conducted "Young at Art", creative summertime workshops. A 20-foot
historical mural of Gasconade County that Catherine produced in oil is
permanently installed at the courthouse* in downtown Hermann. Other works by
Catherine can be viewed and purchased on her web site at
www.colorfulbrushes.homestead.com. |
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My Father's Signs on Hollyhock Alley
will be open during
the
Artists of Wine Country Tour. |
A short walk from Colorful Brushes is David Ludig's My Father's Signs studio on
Hollyhock Alley. Dave describes this unusual structure as a "patch-work,
Pennsylvania Dutch style barn, crafted from five local, headed for the torch,
out-buildings." Inside, the walls are covered with Dave's colorful, German Schutzen Targets, often portraying Missouri River Valley wildlife. Also
displayed are Dave's scrimshaw on bone that have a Native American feel and
samples of his custom-carved wooden, sidewalk Santas.
Just around the corner from Dave's studio is Artur Hohl's studio and gallery* at
the corner of Market and Second St. Artur creates beautiful porcelain
wheel-thrown pottery: vases, |
bowls, teapots, dinnerware, and ceramic wall portraits. Although Artur trained as a jet engine mechanic and studied political
science in Berlin, an evening class in ceramic art changed the direction of his
life. He said that his love of working with clay convinced him that pottery is
for him "the most natural and satisfying of occupations."
On the other side of town are the studios of Anita Landrum and Betty Stiers.
Anita paints in acrylic, pastel, and watercolor. While she is mostly
self-taught, Anita pursues her education and interest by taking classes and
workshops, reading books on art and artistry, and studying the works of other
artists. Anita is an inspiration for those who want to express their ideas
through art, and her door is "always open" to those who want to bring their
paints and brushes and work along with her.
Basket maker Betty Stiers has lived in Hermann all her life, but her studio has
rarely been open to the general public. Betty truly lives her art because each
room in her home is filled with her creations. Her work includes market baskets,
hip and egg baskets, and pie baskets. Betty has taught basket making for years
at her home in Hermann and at state conventions, and she attends classes to
learn new techniques. She holds memberships in several basket-making
associations and is the author of basket patterns that are sold throughout the
country. |
Betty Stiers displays a variety
of her
handmade baskets. |
About a half mile from Hermann is the sculpture studio of Joey Los at The
Cottage Restaurant & Gallery. There she creates decorative paintings and
remarkable metals with natural and painted finishes. Joey studied art in St.
Louis, the Netherlands, and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her work has
been featured on several occasions in St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles magazine.
While visiting Joey's studio, be sure to stop by the fine art gallery that
features the artwork of the restaurant's owners Sidney and Al Miller and Connie
Keith. Read more about the restaurant and gallery by clicking
The Cottage
Restaurant and Gallery. |
German School Museum reopens
After a winter of repairs and refurbishing at the German School, Historic
Hermann has reopened the
German School Museum*
and a brand new museum shop. A new logo has been created for the organization
and is featured on T-shirts and canvas tote bags that are for sale at the shop.
In addition, the artwork of several local artists is available for sale. For
several of the artists who don't own shops, this is a good opportunity for
visitors to be able to purchase their work.
Potter Artur Hohl and basketmaker Betty Stiers, who will have their studios open
during this month's Artists of Wine Country Tour, sell their items from the
museum shop. Don and Joyce Riedel of the
Gourd House, who were featured in the Day Trip section of our
August 2005
newsletter, are also among the artists whose works are available. Others who
are represented in the shop are mother/son artists Joy Hausman and Greg Hausman,
along with Tom and Julie Van Horn. Works by these artists will be familiar to
anyone who has attended the annual
Kristkindl Markts at
Stone
Hill Winery* and the
Hermannhof Winery Festhalle* in December.
The museum is open April through October from 10-4 Tuesday through Saturday and
noon-4 on Sunday. It is closed Mondays. For additional information about
Historic Hermann and the German School, visit
www.historichermann.com.
Benefit reception to be held April 29
The public is invited to a reception on April 29 as part of an on-going
fundraiser to help support several restoration and improvement projects in
Hermann. Sponsored by Historic Hermann, Inc., the festivities will include music
by the Apostle Band, hors d'oeuvres, and a cash wine bar. In addition, an
auction will be held. Guests may bid on antiques, creations by local artists
including a Grimble Box and paintings, and services such as a bouquet of fresh
flowers every week for 20 weeks, hand-cranked, homemade ice cream, and a
performance by the four-piece Loehnig Band.
The reception starts at 6 p.m. at the
Hermannhof Winery Festhalle*. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door
and can be purchased at the Visitor's Center, German School Museum* and First
Bank* in Hermann. Ticket holders are eligible to win one of 25 door prizes that
will be given away during the evening.
And, if you haven't had the opportunity to purchase a "One-of-a-Kind Experience"
that are being offered as part of Historic Hermann's fund-raising efforts, visit
www.historichermann.com to see what's still available for sale. These unique
packages will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis through the end of
June. A special package that includes
Hermann Hill
Vineyard and Inn is among the "Experiences" being offered.
Noted St. Louis string quartet to perform in Hermann
The Arianna String Quartet will perform a free concert at the Hermann United
Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on April 28. The event is open to the public.
This prestigious group of musicians has been hailed as one of America's finest
chamber ensembles. Formed in 1992, members of the group were appointed to the
faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis as Artist Teachers and
Quartet-in-Residence in 2000.
In an interview that aired on Classic Radio 99.1 FM on March 24, one member of
the quartet referred to the ensemble as "St. Louis' own quartet". The musicians
play a series of four concerts in St. Louis and then travel throughout the
United States performing much of the same classical and contemporary music they
play at home.
The quartet also plays a series of concerts designed for the family hoping to
involve "children of all ages". One of the quartet's missions is to introduce
the younger generation to this classical art form. They hope to inspire
youngsters to listen to, and ultimately play, classical music. Prior to the 7
p.m. performance in Hermann, there will be a master class for several young
string ensembles beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Hermann Arts Council is sponsoring the event. For information about upcoming
events sponsored by this organization, visit their web site at
www.hermannarts.com.
Stone Hill Winery named Best in the East
For the fourth time in five years,
Stone Hill Winery* has found its way to the
top of the medals podium at the Wineries Unlimited Seminar and Trade Show held
each year in Lancaster, PA.
Stone Hill Winery earned the top award for "Best Native Varieties Wine" with
2002 Norton and also captured the five-year achievement award for having the
"Most Wines in the Top Ten" since the Best of the East portion of the event
began in 2000.
Wineries Unlimited is the largest such event for the wine industry east of the
Rockies with attendees from more than 30 states and provinces representing the
elite of the Eastern/Midwestern wine industry.
Stone Hill Winery, located just down the hill from
Hermann Hill, produces a
port
wine made from grapes grown in our Norton vineyard.
Hermann Hill Village update
March was a very productive month at the Village highlighted by installing and
connecting underground utilities, seeding the hillsides with native Missouri
wildflowers, laying erosion control mats, completing the stamped concrete floors
with logos for all five cottages, and installing privacy walls for all decks and
patios.
Furniture is ordered for all twelve units, and we hope to have at least some
units open by the end of May or first part of June. |
Kitchen cabinets were installed in Cottage #2 once the
concrete floor
was in place. |
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To view more photos of our progress, and for reservation information,
click on the
Hermann Hill Village page.
May newsletter: The sounds of summer: dedicating the new amphitheater. |
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