In a case of perfect timing, an appreciation cookout is planned on the Fourth of July for area veterans as well as volunteers who have helped refurbish a century-old house on West Lebanon Street.

Saturday’s event will begin at 5 p.m. at the large brick house that sits on a hill at Veterans Memorial Park, where work began in March to convert the structure into a center for disabled vets.

“It’s about 95-percent complete,” Dave Irby, chapter adjutant and service officer for the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV), said Monday of the project. “You wouldn’t recognize the place.”

Before the work got under way, the former residence of local dairyman C.W. Taylor had fallen into a dilapidated state. But its granite foundation, hardwood floors, fireplaces worthy of restoration and other features made it a good candidate for rehabilitation.

Local veterans enlisted the help of community volunteers with various building skills to assist with the work, which is nearly complete just in time for a Fourth of July celebration.

Irby said the dual purpose of Saturday’s occasion will recognize the contributions of area veterans in making the United States the land of the free and celebrate the house project while showing appreciation for those who helped make it possible.

All area vets are invited along with any persons who have worked on the structure, or made donations toward the effort. Tours of the house will be conducted to show off the results of the project, Irby said.

Major work related to the electrical system, air-conditioning and other facets has been completed, Irby said, with the building of steps leading to the front entrance among the tasks yet to be completed.

A brick mason has been lined up for that project, for which steps are being sold for $250 each to the public for designation in memory or honor of deserving individuals.

The Men’s Brotherhood of Grace Moravian Church has built a ramp for the house.

Irby said volunteers are still needed to complete the final phases of work.

Once finished, the center will have offices where disabled veterans can receive help filling out forms and accessing computers, along with transportation to Veterans Administration hospitals through DAV buses that will be based there.

Irby said Monday that the structure is expected to be occupied “very soon.”

He added that the rehabilitation project has been a costly proposition. “We’re right up in the $12,000 range right now.”

In addition to the sales of the steps, other fund-raising activities to help offset the expense include a raffle for a rocking chair autographed by NASCAR drivers, for which tickets are now being sold.

“Everything goes to support the house project,” Irby said.

To contribute financially, offer volunteer labor or otherwise aid the project, interested persons can call 789-0328.

Saturday Activities

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided for Saturday’s cookout, Irby said, with those attending asked to bring desserts or alternative meat dishes they might prefer such as chicken.

The appreciation cookout and tours will coincide with a community Fourth of July celebration to begin around 2 or 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

That gathering will include live music, games and concessions, to be climaxed by a fireworks display around 10 p.m., a park spokesman said Tuesday. Irby said the fireworks will be a fitting way to help celebrate America’s independence as well as the near-completion of the house project.

On Saturday morning, a holiday parade is planned in downtown Mount Airy.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.