To the editor:

Why does it take so long to build a house? On Saturday, May 31, we accepted the challenge from Habitat for Humanity to see if we could build a house in eight days, along with 265 groups across the nation.

We did ours in seven days.

I would like to thank all who pitched in to give Rose and Chloe Tosh a home of their own: Robert Long and crew, Lee Rasmussen and crew, Tim Lewis and the Lumbermans’ crew, Jeff Daley and Crew, Jim Thelen and crew, Shayne Leask and crew, South Whidbey Plumbing, A/C Electric and crew, Lance Moore Electric and crew, Barron Heating and crew, Masterwork Roofing, Gale Insulation, Artistico Drywall and crew who worked through the night, Gary Ray and crew, Glen Jones and crew, Price Johnson Construction and crew, Richard Epstein and crew, Island Craftsman and crew, Bayview Design Center, Sebo’s Do-It Center, Wescott Floor Covering and crew, Bill Rieck, Ian Cooper, Pat Tompkins, Mike Joselyn and Stu at Hansons Lumber for the boom truck.

A big thank you goes to the team leaders Jeff Daley, Richard Stanley, Dave Johnson, Tim Lewis and Randy Enberg. Without them, this would not have happened.

I also need to thank Commissioner Phil Bakke, Andy Griffin from the Island County building department, the folks at Labor and Industries, Wayne for Potelco and Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen for their help.

The board of Habitat was so supportive and responded to our every need. They, of course, arranged for the people to bring the food and keep us well-stocked with cookies and brownies.

I gained four pounds! Thanks, I think.

Bob Dalton

JBL Construction, Inc.