[:en]Earlier this year we had a thorough safety inspection of the Fern Lodge facility and grounds. We were informed that an electrical panel was overloaded and inappropriate for its location. We are grateful to our dear friend and contractor, Jim Keven, for managing the smooth replacement of this electric service. Jim also constructed and installed a gate to enclose our garbage bin shed and shield the bins from view and from the weather. With the substantial savings Jim realized for us, the total cost of these two projects, neither of which was anticipated this year, was about $10,000.
Hillside Hall, the nursing wing of Fern Lodge built in 1960, is in need of a major remodel. Patients in adjoining rooms must share a bathroom, and this seriously limits the room assignments we can make. We are working with an architect to prepare a design that will add three additional bathrooms. Also in Hillside, the hallway lighting now consists of a long row of inefficient fluorescent lights. We plan to install LED lighting, which will be more energy efficient while providing additional light.
We will appreciate donations to help fund these projects.[:]
