A labor of love. . .

OSMOND — When the gazebo at the Osmond Orchard started to have issues with some of the railings and the roof becoming rotten, Deb Schmit knew just who to call. Deb has taken over the care of the orchard after the passing of her father, Norman Lorenz, who was its first caretaker.

The gazebo was donated to the orchard by Dr. David F. Johnson after Osmond’s Q125 celebration, during which it was stationed on the grounds of Memorial Park north of the city auditorium.

After it was moved to the orchard, Andy Miller and family painted the gazebo, which needed a little touchup. At that time, a plaque was placed on the gazebo, stating that the work was done in loving memory of Andy’s wife, Cyndi, who passed away in July of 2016.

So when portions of the roof and railing started to get rotten, Deb called Andy and asked if the family would like to do some more work on the gazebo, because with the problems with the railings, it was becoming unsafe. And of course, Andy said yes.

Tin was placed on the roof and new shingles took the place of the old wooden shingles that had been there. In addition to the new railings, the Millers added a hand rail along the steps onto the gazebo.

The Osmond Park Board is supplying the materials for the repairs, but Andy and his brothers Dar and Dave, and other family members are providing the labor to get the work completed, and are doing this in memory of Cyndi.

Osmond residents are reminded that the Osmond Orchard is available for the whole community to enjoy. Everyone may come, stroll through the fruit trees, berry bushes and flowers, pick the fruit or just sit in the gazebo and enjoy the view.

In top picture, Dar (left), Andy and Marv work on the gazebo on Monday. In middle picture, Dar hands shingles up to Andy. At right, Marv works on scaffold.

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