July 14, 1999
Fulton, IL, USA - Construction of the Octagon - Celebration
July 14, 1999 called for a little celebration. The octagonal part of the windmill was ready and project manager Bert Bulder of Lowlands Management addresses the people gathered to explain about two Dutch builder's traditions.
1.
When the highest point of a structure is reached, a little tree is "planted"
on top, to let everyone know.
Guus Zantinga
thereupon climbed the ladder holding the tree...
that was "ceremonially planted" by mayor Paul Sikkema of Fulton and Guus Zantinga and Eric Ufkes of Molema Mill builders.
2. Then, to underline the unanimity of all the parties involved in this construction project, (from left to right) Clarence Sander (former City Administrator for the City of Fulton); Guus Zantinga; Eric Ufkes; Paul Sikkema; Harvey Wiebenga (Chamber of Commerce/Tourism, City of Fulton); Bert Bulder and Randy Balk (Superintendant of Public Works for the City of Fulton) jointly drank from cups attached to one length of red cedar from the construction materials for the windmill.
Secret here is of course that everyone drinks just as fast as the others. Not everybody succeeded in this, although City Administrator for Fulton Joan Boyer tried to help by tilting the length of wood gradually.
Shortly after the celebration the construction site was closed off for the general public, waiting for the workers to return in October for the (re)construction of the head and the sails of the Fulton belt-molen windmill.
During their absence a local contracting firm will construct the concrete lower structure on which the octagon will eventually rest.