2-Story Corncrib Gazebo

2-Story Corncrib Gazebo AG WORLD Mike Nothem found it quite simple to transform an old corncrib into a 2-story gazebo with a play area below for kids and upper deck area for adults to relax “The webbing of the crib holds a 2 by 6 board perfectly ” explains the Remsen Iowa crop and livestock farmer That made it easy to slip in floor joists which he topped with 1 1/4-in cedar boards for upper deck flooring He added two 4 by 6 beams under the 2 by 6’s for support Nothem and his wife Becky bought a 16-ft tall 1 100-bu ear corn corncrib and moved it to their farm by lifting off the roof and dismantling the Rest He poured a 1-ft wide foundation to anchor the perimeter of the 200-in dia crib and filled the inside with sand a foot deep “Little kids can play in there and you don’t have to worry about them wandering around out of our sight ” says Nothem who has 6 children and 15 grandchildren With 6-ft walls there’s enough head room for an adult to stand while supervising – or playing – in the lower deck Nothem cut 2 ft off the crib so the upper deck has walls about 8 ft tall He installed red white and blue rope lights under the metal roof for subdued lighting Becky added “sunflower décor” made of old ceiling fans This year Nothem plans to add a working ceiling fan and finer screen to keep out bugs and birds He’ll add fluorescent lights below for the kids’ area The corncrib gazebo is next to their home’s deck with three steps leading to the door It’s a great place to unwind after a long day or visit with friends with a view of the goldfish pond and waterfall the Nothems also built Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Mike Nothem 17727 Roosevelt Ave Remsen Iowa 51050 ph 712 786-3314; mbnothem@midlands net

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