Local Boys Build Log Cabin
Bridge over Dodge Creek is next
OBI -- In 1835, George Irish built the first log home in the Obi area, situated at the bottom of the
mountain basin that bears his name today. 140 years later, a group of wide-eyed, Obi teenagers celebrated the completion
of their log cabin just yards away from the old Irish foundation on Saturday night with a big blow-out.
The twenty-feet square edifice was erected by the lads over the past nine months of winter, culminating in
the mixed party that attracted 75 kids from Portville. With no bridge across the Dodge Creek, the boys resorted to hip
boots and piggy-back rides for the females who snuck down to the woods.
"Our goal was to build a cabin far from civilization," noted John Sprague, 14, who provided his chainsaw on
occasion. "An isolated place where we could participate in male adolescent adventures without the adult supervision.
We really had no other choice but to follow in George's footsteps," he added.
"Thirty or forty of us worked on this baby straight through the snow," punctuated Scott Nix, 15, one of the
woodsmen leaders. "About twelve of us were very committed to the effort, and we worked our butts off.
Now it's time to enjoy the fruit of our labor. Bring on the chicks."
Despite the chauvanistic attitudes displayed by the young men at the "cabin-warming" event, about twenty-five
girls joined in on the opening celebration. Most of them had told their parents that they were going to the Portville
Drive-In.
"We expect many great times ahead," yelled Sprague from the roof of the rustic building, as the other teenages
circled below, raising a variety of beer labels to the air. "I officially dub this The Obi Log Cabin...but we'll call
it The Cabin for short." The kids then let out a loud whoop in unison, assured that no one in town would hear their
jubilation.
