all the cracks ‘cause we used
to see the chickens under the
house.”
For Joel and Sherry, this
moment of family appreciation
applauded their efforts,
the culmination of over a year
of hard work. Although not
completed yet, “they loved
everything we have done with
the home,” recalls Sherry, “and
are ever so grateful that we
have brought so much love
and care into their once-upon
a-time family home.”
Searching for Stories
With six-to-eight projects
each year, Joel and Sherry
are always on the lookout for
old homes that are set to be
demolished or clients who
wish to donate a structure
simply because they think it
is not worth saving. Many
people see the potential and
simply don’t have the time or
means for a complete renovation;
they donate the home
to Saving Time to move and
renovate or salvage, saving as
much as possible to complete
Joel is quick to state that their restoration
work is a partnership. “It’s what we do every
time, walking hand-in-hand,” he says.
other projects.
“Every home tells a story,”
Sherry says. “The older the
home, the more stories it
can tell. History and time
should not be erased.” They do
recognize that some elements
of a home can’t be saved,
those with mold and rot. “We
work hard to keep literally
everything that we can reuse,
recycle and even give it another
life. If not for this project,
another down the road.”
Modest homes and cottages
are their preferences,
small enough to allow them
to do more than one project
simultaneously. Most larger
homes or two-story dwellings
are considered salvage and are
used to replenish their supplies.
According to Sherry, by
the time they gather permission
(which sometimes takes
months) from the owner to be
on the property, it has been
stripped of everything—the
mantles, the doors, the columns—
when respect for these
structures ceases to exist.
People discover the efforts
58 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | FALL 2021
TOp: The main entrance leads into a dramatic hallway
which opens to the living room and kitchen.
BELOW LEFT: The guest bedroom, beaming with natural
light, was the first room the couple lived in while
the house was being renovated. The chandelier made
the move from Mergendollar with Sherry and remains
a candle light, true to its history.
BELOW right: Touches of family with Joel and Sherry.