Family returns a favor | w/Web Extra photo gallery
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2007
By MICHAEL A. BELL
mbell@sunherald.com
PASS CHRISTIAN - Aftera crane carefully guided timber framing to volunteers perched atop10-foot pilings Saturday morning, Arthur Conway's eyes welled withtears.
Hurricane Katrina not only raked away the 63-year-old's home, butalso part of his soul. Thanks to volunteers from Vermont to California,he's close to getting them both back.
To those behind the Conway project - siblings Asahel and Elizabeth Cooper, Pass natives - there was no one else more deserving.
Many years ago, Conway looked after the Cooper family. They lived ina large, rambling house that hugged the Pass Christian coastline, andConway, known in the family as "King Arthur," was the "everything" man- the gardener, the handyman, the caretaker, Elizabeth Cooper said.
When the kids grew up and went their separate ways, Conway stuckaround and cared for Cooper's mother, who lived in the 100-year-oldhome until her death a few years ago. Even today, Conway takes care ofthe elderly by bringing them home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch anddinner.
Helping others was always something that came naturally to Conway.But after Katrina hit, he was the one who needed help. The Cooperswanted to return the favor.
Elizabeth Cooper, who's lived in Vermont for almost 20 years,recruited builder Dan McKeen, known in that state for his work intimber framing. They solicited funds from private individuals - "Alittle bit here, a little bit there," she said, from people who "wantto see their contributions go to where they can see something happen" -and hooked up with the Mississippi Katrina fund.
McKeen found volunteer framing experts, architects, excavators, among others, and headed down to the Coast.
Mennonite volunteers built the foundation weeks back; now it's up to McKeen and crew to finish the rest.
They hope the Conways can move in by June.
"This is one of the best feelings in my life," Conway said, his eyesfilled with tears, his voice cracking. "I (sure) appreciate it. Allthese people, they (are) just wonderful...
"I feel this is what God's blessed on me right here," he said.
Ceal Conway echoed her husband's sentiments. "I think it's amazing,"she said. "We wouldn't have (ever) been able to rebuild. They made ithappen."
When the couple arrived Saturday morning, they scanned the plot ofland that buzzed with laborers hard at work, their faces lit up withwide smiles. After exchanging hugs with many there, Ceal Conway turnedto everyone and shouted, "Good morning, everybody."
A good morning it was.
Want to help?
The Coopers' goal of donations for the project is $100,000. They areabout $35,000 shy of that mark. Those interested are asked to visit www.conwayhouse.org
