Hugh Constance 
Teacher and Coach

Written by Carol Larson 
Originally published in the Mountaineer
September 2009  

Thursday, 24 September 2009 18:59

They come from careers in teaching, horticulture, building trades, research and corporate management. There’s even a retired fireman from Queens, N.Y.
Some grew up in Haywood County and others moved here after retiring. Others call the area home for only part of the year.
What they all have in common, however, is the enjoyment of working together every week helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house for Haywood Habitat.  They are members of the Tuesday-Thursday and Wednesday-Friday crews, faithful volunteers who love the fellowship and the satisfaction of working with their hands and minds to help those less fortunate.
Guiding their work and giving direction is Haywood Habitat Construction Supervisor Gary Wichmann.
“It’s hard to put a value on the work done by these regular volunteers,” said Wichmann. “Without the assistance of these good people, we could not build affordable houses.”
Walton Garrett, 83, is the senior member of the regular Tuesday-Thursday crew of six men and one woman. Garrett moved to the area in 1985 and has worked on every Habitat house in the county. In fact, he and his wife founded Haywood Habitat in 1990. He read a newspaper article asking for volunteers to start a local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
“We were the only ones at the first meeting that owned a computer and my wife was good at filling out forms,” said Garrett. And the rest is history.
The group started with $5,000 and bought a lot on credit. Then as now, Habitat depended on donations and volunteers.
“We dug the septic systems by hand and worked on the houses as money became available,” said Garrett.
Other long time members of the Tuesday-Thursday crew are Tom Henry and Hugh Constance. They’ve helped construct more than 36 houses in Haywood County. “After I retired I knew I had to do something besides sit on my butt,” said Henry. “Carpentry is in my blood. You can see the result of your work. And there’s a lot of personal satisfaction helping to put a family in a home.”
Constance, a former local high school math teacher and coach, is known as the best measure man and the one the crew turns to for trim work and molding. At 85, he says he doesn’t climb ladders or scaffolding anymore.
Mel Colborne, 72, is a retired horticulturalist who had built several houses with family members before joining the crew. He now has 33 Haywood Habitat homes under his belt. He likes learning new construction skills.
“No matter how much you think you know, you can always learn more,” he said. “But the best part about being on this crew is that there’s always a volunteer that brings lunch,” he added with a grin. Colborne attends most of the completed house dedications held for the new partner families. “They are so heartwarming,” he said.
Other members of the crew are Roger Donnellan, a retired Queens, N.Y. fireman and Charles Pellicier, a former carpenter in the construction business.
Pellicier enjoys continuing to work in carpentry but admitted, “It’s not the work as much as the fellowship and camaraderie that keeps him coming back every week.”
Stephanie Lyon joined the crew about five years ago. Her father was in construction and did cabinetry work.
“I had my own hammer and nails at a young age,” she said.
It didn’t take long for the all-male Tuesday-Thursday crew to see that she would fit in.
“Maybe it was seeing me put a pack of shingles on my back the first time and climb a ladder to the roof,” Lyon recalled. “There’s never been an attitude about my being a woman. They are a fabulous bunch of men and we share our tools and knowledge. As the youngest crew member I am able to scramble and get up on the roof, which many of our senior members can no longer do. We need more younger people.”
The newest member of the crew is Chris Lorish. Before moving to the area in 2006, Lorish taught medical students at the University of Alabama School of Medicine.
“I enjoy working with my hands and always had a fantasy about building a house but never had the opportunity,” he said. He does now. “This work keeps my brain active and we have such a good time.”
Members of the Wednesday-Friday crew include John Brand, Ted Lazo, Howell Glenn and Clyde Reece.
Brand is a retired salesman who enjoyed woodworking and had done some roofing before joining the group.
“What really attracted me to the group was the camaraderie,” he said. “I look forward to every Wednesday and Friday.” He also noted how appreciative  Wichmann is for whatever you do, whether you work 12 minutes or 12 hours.
Ted Lazo has been volunteering two days a week for the past 10 years. A former executive within the consumer products industry, his co-volunteers call him “tool man.”  He always has the right tool for the job in his private collection.
“I could support Habitat with a check,” said Lazo, “but I choose to volunteer my time instead, simply because of the fun I have working here.”
Howell Glenn was in software development and has helped build three houses in the past two years.
“I grew up on a farm and learned to do a little bit of everything,” he said, “but I’ve never quit learning.”
What Glenn enjoys about working on Habitat houses is the quality and precision that goes into the construction.
“There’s a lot of TLC put into these houses,” he said.
Clyde Reece retired as a lab technician in research and is working on his fourth Habitat house. He got involved when his church sponsored a house.
“Being retired I’ve gotta do something,” said Reece.
In addition to the regular weekly volunteer crews, there are individuals in special trades that volunteer, such as Jim Gibbs, a local dry waller. With business slow, Gibbs recently volunteered to complete the dry walling in a house under construction.
“Finishing drywall is one of our hardest tasks,” said Wichmann. “Thanks to the work of Gibbs, we are three to four weeks ahead.”
Wichmann also acknowledged the efforts of many local groups who volunteer a day or a week to work on a house.
All of the volunteers interviewed for this article said they get back much more than they give.
“Besides the fellowship and camaraderie, there is so much personal satisfaction knowing that you are a part of a program that gives people a “hand up,” and an improved quality of life,” said Lazo.
“Volunteers are always welcome,” said Wichmann, “no matter what your skill level. There’s a job for everyone and no one is turned away.”
Those who are interested in volunteering to build a Habitat house can contact the   Haywood Habitat hotline at 452-7960. Whether you want to swing a hammer or prepare lunch for the crew, all efforts are appreciated and make a difference.