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Log cabin gets facelift
Published 10:36 a.m., June 17, 2009
Matt Muer is a skilled stone mason who has worked on log cabins. Dustin Torvinen is skilled in concrete and carpentry. Both used their skills early Thursday afternoon in Underwood, helping to restore the 140-year-old Foss log cabin, the first home built in Underwood.
Both Muer and Torvinen aren’t your average workers.
Their labor in Underwood on Thursday was part of the Sentenced to Serve program. The men are non-violent offenders and are working to pay off their fines and start their way back into the community work force.
Each of them had no problem being photographed or having their names used for this story. On the contrary, they’re open about their lives and shared their hopes for the future.
“Our on-site crews — including workers such as Matt and Dustin — take pride in their work,” said Crew Chief Pam Stover. “This shows through in their excellent work at the historic cabin here in Underwood.”
Muer and Torvinen were busy straightening the walls, filling in new chinking and preserving the old logs.
The cabin, on its original site, was homesteaded in 1869 by Ole and Anna Foss who emigrated from Norway. The cabin is now owned by the city of Underwood and is operated by the Underwood Woman's Study Club.
“It’s wonderful to see the great restoration work performed by Matt and Dustin,” said Ceceile Kinsler, chairperson of the Cabin Committee for the study club. “We’re fortunate to have them here, working on our behalf.”
During the summer months, the cabin along Oak Street on the east side of town is open by appointment by calling 218-826-6686. Open house is held each year during the Underwood Harvest Festival. This year's festival date is Sept. 5.
“This fall we expect that many people will want to see the restored cabin,” said Kinsler.
While removing the old chinking, Muer and Torvinen found moss, pieces of leather and scraps of fabric used for stuffing between the 140-year-old logs. They also found wooden pegs that had rotted over the years.
The new cement chinking was put in with a pastry-like grout bag and held in place with nails.
“Our crews do various community jobs around the county,” said Crew Chief Stover. “Along with projects such as the one here in Underwood, our workers have worked at locations such as a cemetery near Pelican Rapids where headstones were restored.”
This year's Underwood festival, when many people will see the historic cabin, will have a theme of "The 30's" in order to celebrate the study club's 75th anniversary. There will be costumes, displays, lunch and music.
“A good opportunity in early September for people to come on over and see the restored cabin,” said Kinsler.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by curiouslyamused (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's great there are programs like this -- so many can benefit -- but isn't felony assault a violent crime? According to the OTC jail site, Torvinen is in there for "ASLT 4-FE-INFLT BODILY HARM-NO WEAPON-PO." Doesn't sound non-violent to me.
Posted by clarson (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Could be they were evaluated and knew their mistakes and honestly felt they knew they did wrong and are trying to honestly turn their lives around?? Could be they know its not worth all the problems for doing the crime, and hopefully have learned and don't want to do it again.
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