By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Mike Kreikemeier had been working on a small space heater for five to 10 minutes before he found the culprit. Fuzz particles had caused the heater to detect high temperatures, and thus immediately shut off power to prevent a fire.
“Yeah, we got it,” Kreikemeier said, clearing the filtration with a tiny screwdriver. He’s lived in Montana for 30 years, and said he got his miscellaneous mechanical repair skills from farming. Kreikemeier, seated at a table in the corner of the Belgrade Community Library’s upstairs room, is among a group of volunteers who offered their expertise to fix any small household items at the fifth annual Belgrade Fix-It Repair Clinic.
On Oct. 11, the Gallatin Solid Waste Management District partnered with the library to divert repairable items from the Logan Landfill. From 3 to 6 p.m., people carried small dressers, record players, bikes and muck boots up the stairs and were pointed to the best person for the repair job, all for free. An Oct. 8 press release described the event’s impact, which in years past has transformed 3,000 pounds of potential trash into workable items again.
Patty Howard, the recycling and outreach coordinator with GSWMD, described the event as a way to reduce waste and reuse items. She’s found that people who don’t have the knowledge or money to get repairs will bring in items ranging from coffee makers to family heirlooms.
“This just gives folks another way to keep the things that they love going,” Howard said. Just one hour into the clinic, volunteers had already worked on 31 items.
In another corner, Kara Gratzek has set up a bike repair station, surrounded by an assortment of tools and a repair stand.
“When it comes down to it, bike tools are pretty darn specialized,” Gratzek said. She volunteered on behalf of the Bozeman Bike Kitchen, a nonprofit that educates bikers and refurbishes bicycles, as well as promoting safe cycling for transportation and recreation. Gratzek has been working on bikes for 12 years professionally and expected to complete at least three bike repairs during the clinic.
“I think it’s a great way to keep stuff out of the landfill,” Gratzek added. She remembered a moment last year when a volunteer fixed up a gentleman’s VCR player so a kid could watch his Stargate tape.
Before volunteer Marci Young started inspecting a dresser drawer, she spoke to EBS, reflecting on the clinic. Favors, like fixing up a household item, or exchanging skills with each other, are important, Young explained.
“It’s building a stronger, resilient community,” Young said.
Liz Johnson works with the library and said that the event increases the community’s access to repairs.
“That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to serve the community,” Johnson said of the library.
Chairs lined the front of a volunteer’s station with Belgrade-based Heritage Handyman. Twenty minutes prior, a stained glass lamp shade graced the tabletop and left with its owner. Kristina Bogar waited next to her rocking chair, a mixture of exposed dark wood and parallel slats. The chair belongs to a set that has been in her family for about 25 years, since her late father selected the pieces.
The right leg and curved rocking piece were attached with a rainbow of rubber bands. In a room full of menders, the chair was in good hands.
