Covid or not - Manning is as busy as ever.
Kids are back to school - masks and all and thankfully, so far, no major outbreaks!
But what has been amazing is that pretty much the community never shut down completely.
Since spring, most stores/businesses are open but ask people to wear masks and be aware of their health and not come in if they feel ill.
Construction has continued all year, from winter and when spring came, it got busier than ever.
Manning continues to get its brand new and highly upgraded fiber optics system, then Caseys started construction on their new store, the Water slide project is full-steam ahead, and
the Center Street bridge construction is also in full-swing. Then in south Manning, I've been told there are as many as 4 new houses being built. I haven't had time to drive around
to take pictures but maybe will try in the next few days.
One thing I noticed once the state and federal Covid restrictions started ending is that 141's traffic is busier than I've ever seen, with trucks & cars, and I become impatient when
I try to cross 141 now because I have to wait, sometimes several minutes because of the traffic.
I talked to one of the building contractors earlier this year and they said they had all kinds of back-orders of siding and other building materials because of all the construction that
has been going on across the country, in spite of the Covid virus.
I don't have time to show more detailed stages for each of the projects but take a look at what is going on in Manning.
I won't show many fiber pictures, since there really aren't any exciting or unique things to show...basically digging and boring.
One thing to keep in mind when you look at all of these construction pictures - the next time you drive across a bridge, walk into a business, or go to a recreation center - think of
ALL the work it took to provide you with these things that are taken for granted.
If you ever see a construction worker - take the time to THANK them for all of the
physically hard work they do, in all kinds of environments and difficult conditions...
Most people today don't have to do physical work - definitely not as demanding as construction crews...
When you see a worker standing around from time to time leaning against the proverbial "shovel," don't assume this is what they do all day or question why there
are so many workers at times at certain projects.
The old saying with concrete work is "You never have enough help once the cement truck starts pouring concrete."
If you like to criticize then put on some work boots, pick up a tool, and work with these men for just ONE day - you'll be singing a different tune after that!!!
Continued Fiber optics upgrade
The city utilities were busy marking all of the underground wiring, pipes, and water lines in March.
On August 4, the fiber company started pulling the fiber wires.
Boring in September, which is continuing in November.
Center Street Bridge
Center Street bridge June
east side railing
west side railing
Looking south on East Street
June 4
June 6
June 8
June 10
June 15
June 18
July 7
July 10
July 14
July 16
July 28
August 3
August 17
August 17
Screw jacks are used to give the pitch/slope to the bridge deck.
August 20
August 26
August 20
August 26
September 4
September 5
September 14
September 16
September 22
September 24
September 24
September 24
Concrete slump test
It's a joystick world - operating the concrete pump
Video
If I understood
correctly - when the tubing arm is extended way out it generates 70,000 pounds of weight back on the vehicle when full of concete.
Almost finished
Burlap covering with sprinkler system used to keep the concrete wet for several days
Water was pumped from Willow Creek
Video
12:37 AM October 21
12:54 AM
1:31 PM
2:06 PM
2:06 PM
2:25 PM
Caseys construction
July 14 - looking east
July 15
July 15 - footings for the old Rix station canopy
July 17 - looking east
July 30
adding clay soil to replace the black bottom gumbo that was removed.
August 3 adding more clay fill in back
August 7
August 11
August 12 digging the hole for the fuel tanks
August 13
August 13 digging the hole for the fuel tanks
August 13
August 17
August 17
August 19 - adding pea gravel as fill
August 19
August 19
August 20
August 21 - blue liner water barrier
August 24
August 31
September 2
September 2
September 3
September 4
September 4
September 4
September 15
September 22
September 24
September 30
October 6
Looking west
October 14
October 14
October 14
October 19 - first snow on Caseys
October 21
Since the Hillside Splash bid came in $150,000 under the designer's figures, it has been decided to complete the whole project now.
Most of it will be finished this year with completion next spring.
November 2020: Manning Insurance Agency Awards A $500 Gift To The Hillside Splash Pad
As part of the IMT Insurance 2020 Community Contest, Manning Insurance
Agency is proud to award a $500 gift to the Hillside Splash Pad.
Of the nearly 100 entries submitted and more than $32,500 awarded to worthy
causes, Hillside Splash Pad was chosen as one of the 2020 project winners.
This is the 23rd consecutive year that IMT, along with Independent Insurance
Agents like Manning Insurance, has awarded local community projects and organizations in need of funding.
Hillside Splash project
June 1
June 1
June 2
June 2
June 2
June 2
June 5
July 10
August 6
August 17
August 21
August 25 - remember the old high school band room?
This is part of the footings.
August 25
August 26
September 3
September 15
September 17
September 22
September 22
September 24
September 30
September 30
September 30
October 6
October 6
October 6
October 13
October 15
October 20
October 21
October 21
October 21
October 21
October 21
October 21
October 21
Thanks to the Manning Rotary who received a grant from Rotary International for "Free Notes" Harmony in the Park musical stands.
Other groups/individuals who assisted with
the cost of concrete and retaining wall were Manning Chamber, Chicks with Checks, Refresh Manning Trust, and Norbert & Virginia Stoberl.
Free Notes project
October 6
October 15
October 23
October 23
Video
And this is just a little of what is going on in Manning - not counting the 7 new homes that are currently being built in South Manning, and all of the other smaller projects
that pop up from time to time.
This Manning construction feature shows exactly why we can't have a NATIONAL policy of Shut Downs for controlling the Covid virus.
Every state and every community has very different situations and populations and environments to where shutting down in a large city makes no sense in a very small town.
While there have been several positive Covid cases in Manning, from my interactions with the various construction crews, I'm only aware of one positive case
with one of the construction workers here in Manning, and that person didn't catch it while at work, but somehow his grandmother got Covid and they
suspect he contracted it when he visited her.
When I visit with the various crews, I try to maintain a safe distance - I don't want to be responsible for giving them the virus and I sure don't want to catch it from them.
But I think, based on the infection rates, that you are much less likely to catch the virus outdoors...not impossible but being locked up in close contact in a home hasn't prevented the spread
in these situations either.
Another amazing thing about the Manning community is rather than shut everything down completely we all work together to help each
other by various activities such as the "Drive-thru" fund raisers that have been held throughout the Covid Pandemic.
Main Street Manning To Host "Drive - Thru Harvest Dinner" On Sunday, October 25
To cap off a successful season of "Drive-Thru" Sunday meals, Main Street Manning will host a "Drive -Thru" Harvest Dinner on Sunday, October 25.
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