Slow-henadel no more! With spring kicking into high gear, things are buzzing inside and outside Hohenadel’s walls. By the way, you’ll notice a fancy new coat of stucco on those exterior walls, compliments of Mike Labetti’s crew, who are taking advantage of the beautiful spring weather to make the old lady really shine. (After the stucco gets a hand-rubbed finish, it’ll be painted white with black trim. Very period-appropriate for an Italianate house from the 19th century, according to Mike.)
Mike himself has been busy lately playing the role of hero in Felicite’s favorite neighborhood cause, the Colleen Moffitt homecoming project. He responded to an emergency call the morning of the fundraiser/house party to repair a cracked pipe in the bathroom. And if you think it was a simple cut and sweat job, you don’t know 1920s era plumbing (creatively placed joints, different copper, different flux, etc). Huge thanks to Mike! Can’t have a party without plumbing.
That afternoon, Felicite kept the party jumping, setting up games, lemonade stands, and facepainting tables with Soleil, Finn, and Lili. She even helped bring in a $1,000 donation from Mark Sherman (and a megawatt smile from Colleen when she heard the news)!
What’s next? The volunteer crew will be hanging drywall at Colleen’s house for three weekends in May (16-17, 23-24, 30-31 — new volunteers welcome!) before Felicite moves on to her next neighborhood cause. We’re hoping it’ll be Scout Troop 42 (Phillymakers), the Falls’ new scouting troop for everyone. Biking, paddling, hiking — all the scouts stuff you grew up with, only without the judginess.
Speaking of scout stuff, we’ve got a request — rooftop camping on Hohenadel’s carriage house, anyone? Great time to do it, before Mike Labetti’s crew gets to work on it during the next phase of the renovation (turning the second floor into a loft, complete with bathroom and kitchen). Stay tuned for more!