Rick Horner working with our Tuesday team at the Faust Cabin September 1, 2026

by Susan Pocklington, Executive Director

I stopped by the Faust Cabin at Inspiration Point this morning to see the progress on the window restoration and to thank and talk with our crew. It’s a treat to get out of the office and catch up with these amazing volunteers that show up every week from spring to fall at this beautiful spot – just one of our many project sites this summer. Each volunteer’s skills and background is unique, and it’s fun to see how they work as a group and let their kindness and care of these places guide how they work.

We were blessed with two pop-in visitors, Vik and Susan Theiss, who were instrumental in researching and spearheading the restoration method we have adopted of  infrared and linseed oil paint.  They had come from their home down the hill to see the work in progress.

During my visit, I talked with Rick Horner who joined our volunteer team last year when he discovered our work on the Faust Cabin. With a background in finish carpentry, Rick has brought a wonderful skillset to our talented and dedicated preservation team. In addition to his help at our weekly Tuesday window workshops, Rick went out for his first time to help with our North Manitou Island project. He joined Sleeping Bear Forever peers for 8 days on the island led by our stellar Project Manager, Milan Kuklik.

I asked Rick about his experience on the island and his answer really cut to the heart of our work. You can watch an impromptu reel of his comments by clicking the button below. 

We owe so much to these hardworking folks who could be doing anything on a beautiful summer day. They choose to make a difference and help preserve what I call the soul of Sleeping Bear. With every passing year their contribution will become more and more important as these buildings are preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Our donors also make this work possible. We are grateful for every donation of any size. And if you want to make an impact consider a donation, or as our preservation crew is doing every single week in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, consider joining our volunteer team! 

Listen to what Rick had to say about his experience.

Photos of the project coming on our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SleepingBearForever/

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