A GOOD WORK—Clarence Crouse (left) and Randy Andrews cut a piece of vinyl siding for the home of Dennis Maines. Both men are volunteers with Solid Rock Building Ministry, which is finishing the home that it started for Maines' brother, David Smith, who died about two-and- a-half years ago.

House for Dennis Maines in being built in Smith's memory

Alleghany resident Dennis Maines is likely to have a new home by Christmas, according to volunteers with the Solid Rock Building Ministry, a division of the Alleghany Ministerium. Maines is the half- brother of the late David Smith, who participated in many humanitarian efforts in the county.

According to volunteers Randy Andrews and Clarence Crouse, the project began about three years ago, with a request from Smith that the home he shared with Maines be winterized before cold weather set in. "Once folks walked through and looked at the house (built in 1924), we decided something else needed to be done because basically, it was beyond repair," Andrews remembers. The members of the organization decided Smith and Maines needed a new home.

"In November 2003, land was cleared to proceed with the project," Andrews said. "When we got under way with the project about two-and-a- half years ago, David was always inquiring, 'What will happen if something happens to me and the project's not completed? What's going to happen to my house? What's going to happen to Dennis, my brother?' At that time, we made a promise to David that if we did get started on the project that we would continue with the project even if he did pass away. David's health began declining at that same time," Andrews remembers.

Shortly thereafter, the project was put on hiatus due to weather and the need of other projects to be completed. On Feb. 4, 2004, tragedy struck when Smith died at the age of 57 after suffering heart problems and other health complications. The project was then put on hold until settlement of the Smith estate could take place. Work on the two bedroom, one bathroom, 1,039 square feet home resumed this August. During the first week of work, Andrews said footers were dug on Monday, the footers were poured through the assistance of high school teacher Tim Stamper's vocational class on Wednesday. That Thursday, Sherill Bottomley laid 500 blocks on the site and the following day, a crew of about 15 men worked from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. When they were finished that night, 80 percent of the interior walls were built.

During the Nov. 10 interview, Andrews stated a total of 15 days had been devoted to the project thus far. For the most part, crews work at the site on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers also work on the home on other days, should their work schedules allow.

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