It Warms You Once, Twice, and Three Times Over
The morning of Thursday, August 21st began much like any other late summer morning in Ironwood, Michigan. The sun rose up above the horizon, the trees were fairly still, the grass was covered in dew, and hummingbirds whiz by as they make their way toward Angela’s feeders. However, this morning was still different in some respects. For example, the parking lot was slowly filling up as volunteers began to arrive for the Work Bee scheduled for that morning. It was also the first Work Bee for Matthew, the new Operations Manager here at ABR Trails. Without doubt, this was going to be a great morning. With the help of 19 total participants pooling their efforts together toward splitting and stacking firewood, the Work Bee was a massive success. Matthew was also able to meet and work alongside some of the loyal members of the ABR Trails community. It was a great opportunity to be productive, combine our efforts, and to enjoy each other’s company.
It is often said that splitting firewood is an act that “warms you twice.” It first warms you as you expel the energy to split and stack it, but then it warms you again, of course, when you burn it in your stove. The wood stoves, whether in the ski chalet or in our charming rustic trailside rental cabins, are part of what gives ABR Trails its great character and atmosphere. When you find yourself here this winter and sitting beside one of our wood stoves, soaking in some welcome warmth, we hope that you take a moment to consider the love and effort of the volunteers which make it all possible. Furthermore, in that moment of consideration, we hope that it warms not only your body, but also your heart, knowing that you are part of a community which extends beyond snow, trails, skis, and the winter months. From the perspective of the ABR Trails Staff and Board of Directors, we know that our firewood certainly warms us three times over. While the first two times, from splitting, stacking, and burning, can be found wherever firewood is processed, it also warms our hearts to see what it provides and represents right here for the ABR Trails Community.
Thank you to all our loyal Work Bee volunteers for your physical investment in the ABR Trails Foundation and for continuing to be, both figuratively and physically, part of what makes this community so warm and inviting even in the cold of winter.
For those that may be interested, we have additional Work Bees scheduled for September 18th and October 11th. You can find registration information for these events at https://abrtrails.com/events/
A huge thank you also goes out to Angela’s niece Kendra who shared her talents in photography by taking photos during the Work Bee.
