United Day Nursery Flood of 1997 Chapter Six A Miracle in Progress

Rebuilding the Spectrum, April 1998

United Day Nursery Director Suzie Thorson writes...

We have a poster that says "A miracle in progress - United Day Nursery" and that is exactly what it is. God was with us every step of the way giving us strength to continue day after day and guidance so that we walked the right path. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that without Him, we would not be moving into our newly reconstructed area on June 22nd. United Day Nursery is now better than it has ever been!

In July, 1997, we received permission from the United Lutheran Church Council to draw up plans for our new kitchen and lunchroom, to be located in the former Tiki Room in the basement. The kitchen was important to our recovery because of the cost of having lunches catered. We started planning even though United Lutheran was still discussing relocation, and we did not know if we would actually be able to build the kitchen.

In September, the United Lutheran congregation voted overwhelmingly to remain at their current location. This made it possible for us to move forward on reconstruction. We started planning for the new Spectrum classroom. We advertised for bids on the kitchen and lunchroom in October, but received none. This was very discouraging. Our architect put the kitchen out for bids again, and this time we received two bids, both much higher than expected. But we needed the kitchen, so we accepted the lower of the two bids. Construction of the kitchen and lunchroom started in November, and was completed in March, 1998. We began using the new kitchen March 30th.

In December, 1997, we received permission from the church council to begin construction on the Spectrum. Construction began in January, and was completed in June 1998. The children returned to the rebuilt Spectrum on June 22, 1998. The total cost of reconstruction was over $320,000. Thank you to everyone who helped.

Go to Thank You page...

The Spectrum after cleaning

This room would become our new kitchen and lunchroom

What are your thoughts now regarding getting back to normal? Are we going to make it?

United Day Nursery staff members write...

• Things are looking up. Yes, I feel we'll get back to normal soon. - Brenda D.
• It feels great - everything is falling in place with so much help from all the caring people across the country. - Dixie Horner
• Yes, no doubt about it. This normal is going to be different because we have changed because of the flood. - Kathy McCue
• Sure, we'll make it better than ever. We will make a new 'normal'. - Janice Hinkley
• We are better than normal. We have a better kitchen and cafeteria. Through many generous donations we have been able to replace some of our toys, games, books, etc. - Roseann Koppy
• Very glad. I will enjoy being back in the Spectrum. - Mary Dalzell
• There are times, no matter how normal things are, that I will still miss our old Spectrum, lunchroom, etc. I have to say, though, that our new facilities will be wonderful. - Bill Roberts
• I think what we are going to have in the next few months will be a day care that is much better than the one we had before. - Christie Taylor
• Personally I have a long way to go in my home. Much was lost, but I feel normal when I am teaching music with my children. Everything else will come eventually. - Lila Jane Nelson
• Yes, I believe we can do anything now after all that moving. There are many dedicated people here. Also there are a lot of caring people. - Kabie Wilson
• I have learned to appreciate the conveniences of life more and I try not to complain about inconveniences. Of course we will make it! - Sandy Wilson
• Getting back to normal has been hard but we are going to make it by coming back even better. - Marilyn Yanish

Building our new kitchen, December 1997	Building the new lunchroom, December 1997
Our new kitchen was completed in March 1998	Our new lunchroom was completed in March 1998

Go to Thank You page...

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