Volunteers needed to help deck the blue bridge
Comet staff report

Volunteers interested in helping with the wood decking of the Stearns truss bridge behind Pizza Hut/Dairy Queen in west Delphi are invited to a workday this Saturday at 9 a.m.

Dan McCain, Delphi Historic Trails chairman, said two portable WoodMizer sawmills will be cutting planks from 15 white oak logs. One sawmillwill be at each end of the bridge.

He said planks will be cut two inches thick, 17 feet long, and in widths of six, eight and ten inches.

These will be placed tightly together in alternating width patterns.

One job for volunteers will be handling the fresh cut planks and drilling pilot holes in the hardwood as the deck is nailed to the bridge stringers. Another is assisting the sawyer at themill.

"If you come, wear hard toe work shoes, gloves, and durable clothing,"McCain said.

"As the day progresses, the 78- foot long historic iron bridgemay see the middle connected," Mc- Cain predicted. "Ultimately, this will be a trail bridge crossing the reconstructed canal."

Therewill be a lunch for volunteers at noon at Canal Park, prepared by Psi IotaXi sorority.

McCain said the sawing of logs could last well into the afternoon so those who come later will be welcome to relieve the morning volunteers.

Otherworkday activitieswill be available for those not wanting to place decking out over the water. In Canal Park, also starting at 9 a.m., there will be fall activities such as flowerbed renovation, trail cleanup, maintenance work, and window washing.Alist of varied jobswill be available at the volunteer signup station.