November 18, 2013
The Stone Will Remember
Here’s a stone quote — not etched in stone — but about stone.
Construction of the Stone Bank was completed in mid-December 1900. Imagine the world that has rolled past it over 113 years. This building really is a link to those who came before us, you can actually see the chisel marks in the stone. It remembers.
We are glad it does.
It’s Day 18 of National Blog Posting Month — and we would appreciate it if you “remember” the Stone Bank with a contribution. We are actively restoring this beautiful structure, and you can touch history by helping us put the back section of the building back together again.
The stone will remember, and, I think I hear it saying “thanks.”
November 8, 2013
Stone Quote #10
As longtime readers of the Stone Bank blog can attest, at times we get a little philosophical around here.
Today’s deep thought: (in honor of Week 2 of National Blog Posting Month)
This is profound thought is great for National Blog Posting Month — there is still a long way to go and many posts to write. About the Stone Bank, we have great hope. No time for despair.
Some of you have asked where we found these great quotes etched in limestone.
Answer: In the Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden.
May you have deep thoughts and a great weekend. Thanks for reading the blog.
July 18, 2013
Stone Quote #9
Waiting is not my strong suit. But this week in Bottineau, waiting and then waiting some more is on the menu.
Nearly daily thunderstorms are making it impossible to pour the concrete footings for rebuilding the back section of the building.
So, we are waxing philosophical — and waiting for dry weather.
We aren’t squandering our time … we’re biding it until we can get rolling again. See below for what we’re up against.
The forms are in, but we can’t pour concrete footings until the rain stops. It seems intent on staying.
Stay tuned. We will be moving very soon — for us that’s the stuff life is made of!
We would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments and donations. All the buttons are installed on this page!
Thanks for reading the Stone Bank Blog.
April 7, 2013
Stone Quote No. 8
The Giver and the Gift
James Russell Lowell, an American poet, 1819-1891.
To learn more about poet James Russell Lowell, check out the Poetry Foundation’s biography.
Beauty and history are two other needs your “alms” can feed. Our work to preserve and restore the Stone Bank on Bottineau’s Main Street is moving ahead, but we really need your help to pay our stone mason and buy supplies. It’s a different kind of hunger — but one that must be met somehow.
How can you help?
Join our “Dedicate a Stone” campaign to help rebuild the back 20 feet of the bank over a new foundation.
Encourage your friends, family, neighbors and organizations to chip in. We truly need your help to make this happen.
Want to know more about dedicating a stone? Click here and visit our website to see our lovely commemorative certificate.
Don’t leave us hanging!
The edge of the south wall dismantled in 2012. The wall will be rebuilt over a new foundation in 2013, with your support.
We have 20 feet down and 20 feet left to rebuild. Built in 1900, the Stone Bank has borne witness to a growing and changing Bottineau over the years. Help us restore it and put it back to use so it can reflect the changes of light and passing clouds and Bottineau history for another century.
The Stone Bank showing the jagged edge at rear where 20 feet of the building was taken down.
The Stone Bank is a beauty worth saving. Please make a gift or a stone dedication today.
Thanks for reading the Stone Bank Blog. Scroll down to the last two posts to see pictures of our stone mason at work last week.
January 14, 2013
Pushing the Boulder
Historic restoration isn’t an easy road. It’s rugged, and, yet, rugged roads often lead to the highest reward. That’s how we feel about the Stone Bank Project.
Here’s a quote from Paul Graham, an entrepreneur, on the value of an idea (or purpose).
The founders who do the best are the type of people who just refuse to fail. Most startups have at least one low point where any reasonable person would give up…. The only people who get through it are the ones who have an unreasonable aversion to failing.
That’s pretty much how we feel about the Stone Bank Project — we are going to see this through. PERIOD. We are really pleased by a recent uptick in donations. It’s great to have some other cockeyed optimists join the effort.
Mark Briggs puts it this way:
Developing a great idea into a successful business is like pushing a boulder up a hill. The best entrepreneurs — those who successfully reach the top — get to watch the boulder roll down the other side.
Mr. Briggs is writing about business and entrepreneurship — but historic restoration projects — like the Stone Bank — are also a form of entrepreneurship.
So, we are pushing the boulder up the hill — indeed — our stone mason is actually moving boulders to bring the Stone Bank back to life. Check out this video about moving stone!
By this time next year? We hope to be watching that boulder tumble down the other side. We hope you are there to help us give it the last shove.
Here’s a great video from the day our contractor began pulling down the Stone Bank’s back wall. It’s all up from here.
Thanks for joining us on our journey and thanks for your continued support.
October 9, 2012
Stone Quote No. 5
For your Stone Bank blogger, it was disappointment for lunch, when the call about a grant came at about lunchtime.
As the Rolling Stones famously put it … “you can’t always get what you want.”
And no, we didn’t even get a little bit of what we wanted. A representative of AgriBank called to say that although the Stone Bank is an interesting project that they had decided against sharing their oil-lease riches with us in the form of a grant. Seems that even though the grant information said they were looking for projects of cultural and historic value that there were, uh, constraints on that.
Let’s just say that the instructions were vague. The result? In the short term, the Stone Bank won’t have the financial boost needed to help move the project along.
That brings us to (the very fitting) Stone Quote #5.
Inscribed at the International Peace Garden’s Peace Chapel — quite near the Stone Bank.
That Alexander Graham Bell was one smart cookie.
No regrets! We will just move along and keep working on this great building. A door will open — and it will ROCK!
In the meantime, tell all your friends, relatives and passersby that they can do what AgriBank didn’t do. They can support the restoration of the Stone Bank. There are lots of details on our website: StoneBank.org.
Chin up. Tally ho. Thanks for reading the Stone Bank Blog!
August 9, 2012
Stone Quote # 4
Let me check the time.
Just as I thought, it’s time for another Stone Quote.
One of the quotes carved into limestone at the International Peace Garden, near Dunseith, N.D.
Another great quote that is applicable not only to world peace but to how we deal with everyday life.
Here’s a nice article about U Thant from the Encyclopedia Britannica, for those of you who are drawing a blank on his name.
And here’s a link to information about the International Peace Garden. The 2,339 acre botanical garden is not only lovely, it is dedicated to world peace.
Thanks for reading the Stone Bank Blog.
Remember, we are raising the money to do more work on the Stone Bank, and we could use your help. Use the PayPal link to send us some love.
July 7, 2012
Stone Quote #3
Another great quote etched in limestone at the Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden.
Isn’t this a great quote?
The Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden never ceases to inspire. Depending on my mood or the day or current events a different quote strikes me as “more” meaningful on every visit.
At the Stone Bank, we are working to raise $40,000 to help raise (rebuild) the back of our building this year.
“The only hope of preserving what is best lies in the practice of an immense charity…”
It’s as simple as that. We think the Stone Bank is “the best,” and we are working hard to keep it standing for another 112 years. We could use “immense charity” to get going on this year’s work. Remember, the Stone Bank is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization — so your contribution is tax-deductible.
What’s the plan? A sketch of the overall plan is here. (Scroll to the second half of the story for the plan!)
Want to review earlier quotes? Stone Quote #1 and Stone Quote #2.
Want to make a donation? Click the DONATE NOW icon in the right column. Or send a check to Touchstones, Inc., 524 Main Street, Bottneau, ND 58318!
Fossil embedded in limestone panel at the Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden.
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