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Since Roshi is in Sweden for two weeks, Chris Pulleyn, the
Chairman of the Center's Board of Trustees, kindly agreed to write
this issue of the Chapin Mill Dispatch. For the latest photos
of Chapin Mill, just click here.
Greetings from Chapin Mill. Since I've been working on the kitchen task force - and since Roshi's in Sweden - he asked me to write this issue of the Dispatch. I'm tempted to say that work is proceeding at a feverish pace, but that could just be the effect of the 90-degree weather we're having here!
Here's a round-up on construction details: Earlier this year we received the good news that we will be able to hook up to the county water supply, as they are bringing a line down Seven Springs Road. In anticipation of that, we're running a line out to the road. This has delayed the finishing of our driveway, but as soon as the water supply is hooked up we will grind up the gravel and blacktop the road. At the recommendation of our contractor, the final finish coat will be applied next year.
A dramatic change was made to the entrance of the building. Hank Reisen and Scheri Fultineer, our feng shui consultants,
 suggested that the high walls be cut down to make a more welcoming entryway. The attached photo, which Roshi likened to the famous shot of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima, shows the walls tumbling down, with a little help.
Inside, the oak flooring for the dining room and chair sitting room has arrived and is spread out while we wait for it to attain the proper moisture content before we install it. Installation of the flooring will be one of the main tasks during the
Ralph Chapin Memorial Work Week (details below). The enormous kitchen range hood is finally up for good - two times down, three times up! And now the kitchen can be dry-walled.
Meanwhile, the kitchen task force has been busy with the multitude of choices and decisions that need to be made before finished plumbing and wiring can be done. Anyone who has ever remodeled a kitchen can probably empathize: wood or tile floor? Slate, granite, wood, or stainless steel countertops? Over-the-counter or under-the-counter dishwasher? Normal or convection ovens? Where do all the lights go and what do they look like? The project is complicated because the Retreat Center kitchen must meet the County code for a commercial establishment. As an overall goal, the task force is aiming to meet all the requirements of the sanitary code while maintaining a warm, inviting environment.
And then there's the paperwork. A drawing and equipment list have been sent to the County Health Department for plans review. Recently a Request for Proposal, complete with drawing and equipment list, was sent to four area restaurant supply companies; their bids are due back on August 10th. Of course, we may be in sticker shock when the bids come back, so some of the task force's many choices may need to be made for financial reasons. If you happen to have a piece of unneeded commercial kitchen equipment cluttering up your garage, speak now!
Finally, we're looking forward to the Ralph Chapin Memorial Work Retreat, beginning on Tuesday, August 14th and leading up to the picnic and Ralph's one-year memorial
service on Saturday, August 18th. Everyone is invited to take part in one or more days of volunteer labor at the retreat, during which we will intensify the practice at Chapin Mill by increasing the number of sittings every day. Bring a tent or camper if you can, and we will also try to house those who are willing to commit to all four work days (and willing to share a room, as in sesshin). Of course, workers are welcome any day of the week. If you're interested in joining us for all or part of the retreat, please call Trueman at Chapin Mill (716-344-1697).
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