It Takes a Village to Raise a Community Pavilion

Moodus noises of hammers, boards and laughter created a symphonic echo through East Haddam on Saturday as the community came together to support the raising of a pavilion on the Senior Center grounds. Brilliant blue skies set the backdrop as boards were raised skyward to form the frame of the structure.

"The way it went up was magical," said Paul Maxwell, a member of the East Haddam Lions Club.  What onlookers did not see, Maxwell added, was "the time spent in the shop preparing and getting ready for this moment."

The project is a joint effort between the East Haddam Lions Club and The Barn Raisers, a local timber framing company. The Lions donated the pavilion to get the ball rolling on the Heritage Park project.

"The Lions are always looking for an opportunity to make the town more beautiful and this was a great project to get involved in", Maxwell says. "I even got a board dropped on my foot when I got in the way", he jokes.

The 18-foot by 24-foot pavilion is adjacent to the Senior Center on an overlook that is now being referred to as "The Lions Knoll." The Lions have committed to taking care of the pavilion and the area immediately surrounding it. Landscaping, a walkway, and picnic tables are currently being planned according to George Ballek, Lions Club member and chairman of the pavilion project.

Brendan Mathews, owner of The Barn Raisers, got involved in the project through Ballek. Originally, the Lions were considering purchasing a pre-made kit for the pavilion structure. Ballek approached Mathews while he was on another job site in town and suggested that Mathews get involved in the project as a local business.

"I love being able to give back to my town and help out. In addition to creating something wonderful for the seniors and everyone in town, it is a nice way to be able to show off my work in my community as well", Mathews says.

Mathews started in timber framing when he was only 13 years old. With a passion for his craft, he pursued degrees in drafting design and business management. "I was very fortunate in knowing what I wanted to do at a young age and went to school to do it", he says. 

The Barn Raisers hand cut and raise traditional timber frame structures with "a love of the Art, the craft, the community, sustainability and aesthetics of old New England." In addition to custom designing and drafting timber frame projects for clients, The Barn Raisers host events to raise the structures. The Barn Raisers events are "about community, bringing friends, neighbors and family together to build sustainably, to help one another,  and do  it all with a wonderful sense of accomplishment."

Brian Milano, Lions Club member, was on hand at Saturday's Pavilion raising event. "I'll jump in as they need me", he says as he watched progress being made on the project. "It's a good spot, great location, and a wonderful community project that is sure to get use", Milano comments. Milano was joined by a host of other community volunteers and onlookers who braved the cold to participate in the event.

A single pine bough was nailed to the pavilion frame to symbolize longevity and luck for the project. A simple, yet thoughtful gesture that echoes the community sentiment for the project.

The pavilion is located at 15 Great Hillwood Road in Moodus and is scheduled to be ready for use to members of the community by summer.

In addition to funding the cost of the project and providing hands-on labor, the Lions Club provided refreshments throughout the day at the event.

The Barn Raisers is located at 178 Petticoat Lane in East Haddam. For additional information visit The Barn Raisers, or call 860-873-3828.

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