Interesting improvements for Iskcon Alachua.
The Temple President: Even during one of the hottest summers we’ve seen here, a lot of work got done at the Temple this summer, and almost all of it was by volunteer labor.
Pavilion: You must have noticed by now that the ceiling of the pavilion has been painted white. Not only does it brighten the place up, but it is protection against deterioration of the roof subsurface. This is painstaking work, not only is it very, very high, requiring intense neck bending, but there’s a lot of stop and start for all the cutting in that has to be done. But Kirtan Scott (son of Rucira devi dasi and Adikarta das) has handled the entire job single handedly, and expertly. We will be grateful to him for this huge labor of love for years to come !
Cabanas: The old deteriorating cabanas at the back of the property got some desperately needed rehab, and are now nice living spaces for the WWOOFERS (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) who stay with us throughout the year providing valuable labor on the farm.
Patio Remodel: The first phase of the brick patio remodel was completed. A Tulasi greenhouse once stood here but for the past several years only the old walls remained. Now the area has been cleared and the roof has been installed over the existing columns. In fact, a couple of columns were added to make the whole structure more secure. It’s a beautiful shaded spot for vendor tables, and no more pop up tents required. The design was the brainchild and hard work of Jambu das, who just came by New Raman Reti for a little visit. Or that’s what he thought anyway. Before he knew it, he had agreed to “put a little roof over the columns,” and we have a super engineered structure that will serve the community for generations to come. Stay tuned for new brickwork and comfortable tables and chairs.
New Landscaping: The old landscaping at our front entrance gates had done its duty. It was plumb tuckered out. Maitreya das got his jeep and a rope and yanked the juniper bushes out, a serious task as they are very strongly rooted. Jitari das designed new plantings, and got busy laying the ground work, prepping the soil, fertilizing, laying down cardboard to keep the weeds down, then the plastic layer, and putting in the new plants and fresh mulch. The irrigation system got an upgrade at the same time. He was ably assisted by Bhakta Dave, and by Parasurama das and the three WWOOFERS visiting us now. Special thanks to Advaita Acharya das and Sarad Bihari devi dasi for making a generous contribution towards all the materials.
Workers
Sakshigopal das and family live in one of the oldest mobile homes on the property. And it is Grand Central Station over there; every Sunday he opens the doors for all and any of our Indian congregation to come over, have bhajan, see their beautiful Panca Tattva and Gaura Nitai altar, and take Prasadam. The house needed some TLC, and we gave it some. Fresh paint throughout thanks to Manusrestha das, some new flooring and some basic repairs are a start and feel like a breath of fresh air for everyone who visits now.
Kitchen Floor, Temple Floor and Veranda: Our Big Kitchen floors take a tremendous amount of wear and tear and hadn’t been touched up in six years. Manusrestha das, assisted by Mahabuddhi das, Prabhupada Pran das and Jivanath das, moved everything out, rolled out new paint mixed with a non-slip material and it’s made a world of difference in there. The veranda all around the Temple building was freshly painted once again by Ras Prakash das. Taking on this service is his pride and joy, and it really shows. He polished the Temple room marble floors while he was at it! Hours and hours of work. A real labor of love.
Ongoing Maintenance: I don’t want to forget the maintenance that goes on every week of the year including the hot summer months: the beautiful flower gardens around the property thanks to Madhuryalilananda devi dasi, our prolific organic vegetable gardens thanks to Janmeyjaya das and Shanka das, the ever expanding and productive Eco Teaching Farm led by Akuti devi dasi, Srimati Tulsi Devi’s garden always impeccable and in the best of health thanks to the constant nurturing and attention of Madhuri Gopi devi dasi, and our Serenity Gardens created and maintained and continuously made more perfect by Maitreya das. Thanks to the devotees who take on the constant summertime mowing, Mahananda das and Maitreya das, and to all our farm devotees especially who carry on so many services for our community.