News

Roof Thatch on St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, Kinstone Circle

October 4, 2017 By Tom Sweeney

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Irish roof thatcher William Cahill installed roof thatch on the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel at Kinstone Circle in Fountain City, WI, in 2011. He returned to the cordwood and timber structure recently to, as he said, “tidy it up before winter.”

William was pleased with how the roof thatch reeds were aging and predicted that, weather permitting, they should survive as long or longer than a traditional shingle roof.

I recorded this interview while William was in Wisconsin working on the project. To learn more about William and his ancient craft, visit https://www.roofthatch.com. For information on Kinstone visit https://www.kinstonecircle.com. Fountain City is just across the Mississippi River from Winona, MN, a popular fall foliage drive.

Stop by to see William’s work and connect with the spirit of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and ecology.

Hoffman Weber Construction Radio Show Interviews Roof Thatcher William Cahill

August 27, 2017 By Tom Sweeney

Minneapolis-based Hoffman Weber Construction is among the largest and most community-engaged roofing contractors in the Midwest. It hosts a weekly call-in Home Show on myTalk 107.1 FM (Everything Entertainment) radio in St. Paul, MN at 9 AM each Sunday sponsored by James Hardie Siding Products. Roof thatcher William Cahill was the guest on the hour-long show on Aug. 20. The talented and funny Shannan Paul and knowledgeable Hoffman Weber General Manager Mike Sample asked him questions about where reed roofs fit in today’s outdoor living environments and how it’s done. He even got to read Seamus Heaney’s poem, Thatcher, at the end of the show.

Thatcher William Cahill on radio with Shannan Paul and Mike Sample

William discussed harvesting reeds, proper pitch for a durable thatched roof, popular thatch applications and why rainwater doesn’t penetrate thatch to the space below. He also got to talk about Kinstone Circle in Fountain City, WI, where you can see an example of his work. William thatched the roof of the St. Francis of Assisi cordwood chapel there in 2011 and returned to tidy it up a bit this month. Based on how it is doing, he would expect the roof to last 25 years.

The radio program was recorded and it is available on OnDemand. To listen in, click the link below and look for the Aug. 20 show. You also can see Hoffman Weber Construction at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair, where it is exhibiting a village of supersize playhouses and doghouses. The time-machine structures depict different times in history. Hoffman Weber was named the best new product/service at the Fair in 2016. Maybe a thatched roof next year? Hoffman Weber donates the structures to charity auctions.

Hoffman Weber Home Show on myTalk 107.1 FM Radio, St. Paul, MN (Aug. 20, 2017)

Thatcher Cahill supports Levine Children’s Hospital Gala

August 27, 2017 By Tom Sweeney

Charlotte, NC — The third annual Levine Children’s Gala raised a record $2.4 million for pediatric patients at Levine Children’s Hospital. More than 500 guests and numerous sponsors celebrated Levine Children’s Hospital’s 10^th anniversary at the April 1 event.

Cincinnati-based roof thatcher William Cahill donated his time and materials to thatch the roof of a 8×12- ft. playhouse/potting shed. It was auctioned for $10,000 to support the children’s hospital. The project was built off site and transported about 7 miles to the event.

Thatched roof structure for Levine Children’s Hospital auction.

Levine Children’s Hospital

“When we opened our doors 10 years ago, it was our vision to raise the bar for the delivery of healthcare to children in Charlotte and the surrounding region,” said Callie Dobbins, the Levine Children’s Hospital facility executive. “I’m proud to say that we have done exactly that – thanks to the support of the community. Today, Levine Children’s Hospital is so much more than we dreamed it would be.”

Major gala sponsors included UTC Aerospace, SunEnergy1, US Trust, Barings and Brighthouse Financial. Actress Angie Harmon, along with Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, co-emceed the event. The gala concluded with a performance by headline entertainment group, American Authors.

The gala organizing committee included Candy and Darren Bing, Amy and Alfred Dawson, Angie Harmon, Katie and Matt Burge, Sherrard and John Georgius, Stephanie and David Gitlin, Mandy and Todd Houser, Emily and Tyler Johnson, Kara and Greg Olsen, Ana and Manuel Rey, Tiffany and Scott Smith, Ann and Michael Tarwater, and Amy and Martin Welton.